The Evolution of the Air Force Aerial Spray Capability
Abstract
The Air Force, first under the Army Air Corps, and later as a separate service, has engaged in aerial spraying since the inception of the technique. Aircraft were used as early as 1919 for making surveys of potential mosquito breeding habitats. Aerial dusting was undertaken at Mound, Louisiana, and in 1927 at Quantico, Virginia (Lumpkin & Konopnicki, 1962). However, it was not until 1931 that the first successful liquid spray by means of aircraft for mosquito control occurred (Ginsburg 1931). The Variety and modifications of military aircraft used in both experimental and operational aerial spraying have been extensive. One example is a wind-driven propeller assembly that was modified for the Piper cub (L-4). This assembly produced approximately 50 pounds per square inch of pressure that forced the liquid pesticide through six spray nozzles mounted on the lower trailing edge of a hopper clamped to the lower longerons of the fuselage. In 1946 the Army Air Forces Board modified this same equipment for use in the L-5 aircraft (Nowell 1954).
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 16, 2008
- Accession Number
- ADP023973
Entities
People
- Mark Briedenbaugh
- Terry Carpenter