b'C H A P T E R 13T H E T R I U M P H O F P O L I T I C A L G RA V I TY O V E R N U C L EA R F L I G H TThe $8 million hangar was finished inJuly 1959. The graceful barrel-vaultedbuilding had a clear space of 320 feetby 234 feet. The designers figured theplane would weigh at least 600,000pounds. It would reach 135 feet fromwing tip to wing tip, be 205 feet longand 53 feet high or higher at the tail. 20Plans for the runway showed a strip23,000-feet longover four miles.Perhaps survey stakes went into theground, but GE never built it. The AE Cdecided in December 1958 that neitherthe NRTS nor any other AEC installa-tion would be used for an A N Pf l i g h ttest site. Despite the millions invested inthe hangar building and its shielded con-trol room, the wasted money was morethan outweighed by the potential risksinvolved. The AEC told the Air Forcethat nuclear test flights would have tooriginate from an island or coastal sta-tion and fly only over the ocean. 21 Still, in 1960 the Air Force was confi-dent that the hangar would be used fora prototype aircraft. It could be ground-tested in Idaho before it was hauled Above. Design of crewoverland to a coastal base for flight compartment for airplanetests. In Evendale, GE mocked up a took place in Evendale.compartment for a five-person bomber Sleeping, storage, and reliefcrew: commander, nuclear engineer, facilities are integrated in abombardier-navigator, defense director, 36-sq.-ft. space. Two full-sizeand co-pilot. Located far forward in the beds permit simultaneousairplane as distant as possible from the sleeping of two crewmen.reactor, the shielded cabin contained a Clothing and personal articleskitchen, work room, and sleeping quar- are stored in individualters so detailed that they included a lockers above the bed. Rightventilated drawer for stuffing dirty are containers for soiledunderwear. Dietitians planned a nutri- clothing. The pull-out electrictious five-day menu down to the peach incinerator toilet is at thepie for the fifth-day dessert. 22 lower right and the secondbed, a pull-out berth, is at thelower left.From Nuclear Flightedited by Lt. Colonel Kenneth F. Gantz1 2 5'