Author Topic: Kelly Johnson, the SR-71 Blackbird, and Skunk Works. The genius that changed aviation.  (Read 225 times)

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Offline rangerrebew

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Kelly Johnson, the SR-71 Blackbird, and Skunk Works. The genius that changed aviation.
BY PGF
9 hours, 24 minutes ago


Pictured: F-104 Starfighter

Due to Johnson designing the F-104 to be better than any other aircraft, many other countries were interested in the F-104. At one point in time, the F-104 was operated by 15 different militaries.

This has always been one of my favorite aircraft. As a boy, I had a die-cast F-104 and spent seemingly endless hours destroying everything in its path. Here’s an interesting background on his work.

The Man Behind Lockheed Skunk Works

SR-71 Blackbird

Following the introduction of the U-2, both the USAF and CIA loved the aircraft. However, the 1960 U-2 incident [ Wiki ] highlighted to the USAF and CIA that the U-2 wasn’t invincible and needed something to prevent that.

https://www.captainsjournal.com/2022/09/26/kelly-johnson-the-sr-71-blackbird-and-skunk-works-the-genius-that-changed-aviation/
The unity of government which constitutes you one people is also now dear to you. It is justly so, for it is a main pillar in the edifice of your real independence, the support of your tranquility at home, your peace abroad; of your safety; of your prosperity; of that very liberty which you so highly prize. But as it is easy to foresee that, from different causes and from different quarters, much pains will be taken, many artifices employed to weaken in your minds the conviction of this truth.  George Washington - Farewell Address

Offline SZonian

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If he were to see what's become of his legacy, he'd be rolling over in his grave.

"Skunk Works" is a shell of its former self, selling a logo and legacy...nothing more.
Throwing our allegiances to political parties in the long run gave away our liberty.