Thayer School

THE GRUMMAN HELLCAT F6F now on exhibition on Thayer School's front lawn is attracting a lot of attention, especially among the younger generation. On all off-school hours there is a dense swarm of small boys covering the plane and we expect to see it worn down to a Piper Cub in the near future. The plane was obtained for exhibition in Hanover through the Hanover War Finance Committee and will be turned over to the Thayer School for dismantling and salvage after it has served its purpose as an exhibit.

Dean Kimball, Professors Brown, Ermenc, and myself were in Springfield, Vt., this week for a conference with representatives of Springfield industries concerning the layout and equipment of the new mechanical engineering laboratory, and various other problems connected with the development of the mechanical engineering course, such as cooperative shop training in the Springfield plants to be made available as summer occupation for mechanical engineering students. I am very enthusiastic over the splendid opportunities that will be made available to the mechanical engineering students through the cooperation and very real assistance of this group. I would also try to convey something of the inspirational uplift that we get in meeting and talking with these men who are directly responsible for the position of world leadership that the Springfield industries hold in their field. The complete story of this must await final development, but I can promise that it will be one of great interest to Alumni, students and prospective students of the School.

E. Shaw Cole '31 has recently been elected vice president and chief engineer of the Pitometer Company, Engineers, New York City. George N. Collins '34 goes to Utica Drop Forge & Tool Company, as production manager.

Speaking of new jobs, a sizeable group of Thayer School men who are being layed off by their former employer, Uncle Sam, are losing no time getting into the harness on civilian jobs. The alacrity with which these men are shedding the uniform and stepping into their new jobs in engineering would indicate that the reconversion problem for Thayer School men is not very serious. It is a very encouraging sign, both as to the initiative of these men and of the healthy prospects in the engineering field. Bob Barr '42, formerly with the Seabees in the Pacific, is now with Barr & Lane, contractors in New York City. He is in Ithaca at present on a dormitory job for Cornell. Harry Gerber 44, ex-PT boat man, is with Standard Oil in Aruba, an island off the coast of Venezuela.

Thayer School is well represented on Guam by Bob Roberts, Fletch Clark, Vic Smith, and Dave Davidson, all '45, and by Bill Wallace and Gordon Ross of '44. The Okinawa delegation includes Briggs, Acher, Stein, and Kimball, all '44.

Dick Livingston '44 is stationed at the Philadelphia Navy Yard, Aero Engine Laboratory. Cline Mann '45 is stationed at the training center, Davisville, R. I.