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8.

feet with a hot-air or hydrogen-filled balloon. After cutting loose, they were piloted back to earth by Montgomery's skilled assistants, performing numerous evolutions, gliding as much as eight miles, remaining in the air about 20 minutes, and alighting at a predetermined spot. This phase of his work was interrupted by a fatal accident to one of his piloting assistants and the subsequent loss of his equipment in the California earthquakes, 1906. In 1911 he resumed his gliding experiments with a craft which departed from his previous tandem monoplane design and had a more conventional rear surface. He had intended to install an engine following the perfection of control details but was fatally injured following a rough landing in which a projecting screw in the framework pierced his head. No parts of his first glider of 1883 are known to exist. I was reliably informed that they had been consumed in a fire. The parts now accessioned of the 1905 and 1911 gliders are incomplete but are nevertheless important technical evidence of materials and methods which he employed. Sufficient data in the form of photographs, patent drawings and contemporary descriptions will enable us to show the relationship of these parts to the complete assemblies and to give better recognition to the accomplishments ofthis renowned air pioneer.

From the standpoint of relationship to the air warfare and particularly to the devastating effect of bombing as practiced in World War II, the Norden bombsight which was used in directing the first atomic bomb dropped over Japan, constitutes a very important accession. One element which is still considered as secret by the military authorities was removed from this sight before it was given to the Museum by the Victor Adding Machine Company, its constructors. The presentation of this important piece of aeronautical