Favorite Post-War aircraft designer. - Aircraft of World War II

Dac · 09-20-2005, 01:37 PM

Which individual did the best at taking advantage of new technology when designing new aircraft after WW II? The jet engine opened up a whole new realm of possibilties and pushed aerodynamicists to their limits. Who got it right when designing aircraft on paper that some test pilot was actually going to have to put his life on the line in?

FLYBOYJ · 09-20-2005, 03:35 PM

KELLY JOHNSON - SR-71 - NEED I SAY MORE!!!!!

Dac · 09-20-2005, 04:36 PM

Ouch! Dammit my ears are bleeding.

FLYBOYJ · 09-20-2005, 06:09 PM

evangilder · 09-20-2005, 08:22 PM

I would agree with Kelly Johnson. The SR-71 is one of MANY great airplanes he designed. For Americans, he was "the man". Jack Northrop was also good.

Dac · 09-20-2005, 08:31 PM

I agree with you about Johnson FLYBOYJ, he was an amazing engineer. His intuition about aerodynamics was so good that someone, I forget who, claimed Johnson could actually see air.

My choice for best designer would be Alexander Lippisch. His tailess delta wing design was one of the most copied in the 50-60s. He emigrated to the U.S. after the war, joined Convair and helped build the F-102, F106 and B-58 Hustler.

cheddar cheese · 09-21-2005, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FLYBOYJ

KELLY JOHNSON - SR-71 - NEED I SAY MORE!!!!!

You said it!

Parmigiano · 09-21-2005, 11:08 AM

Don't know much about post-war planes, but when I was a kid I fell in love with the Mirage... So I dare say Marcel Dassault, even if I know how dangerous is to talk about Frenchmen in this forum

cheddar cheese · 09-21-2005, 11:26 AM

Whose name is actually Marcel Bloch, designer of Bloch aircraft in WW2 but changed his name when he left France to prevent being captured by the Germans. (I think thats the story anywho.)

FLYBOYJ · 09-21-2005, 11:29 AM

Marcel Dassault - great designer and marketeer. Jack Northrop, another great designer. You also have Edward Henry Heinemann who designed may outstanding Douglas aircraft. But Kelly Johnson was prolific, consistent and innovative. P-38, F-104, U-2 and SR-71 were all record breakers. I think what separates him from the rest was his approach not only in concept and design, but the follow through to manufacturing and his interface with the people building his designs....

Gnomey · 09-21-2005, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FLYBOYJ

Quote:

KELLY JOHNSON - SR-71 - NEED I SAY MORE!!!!!

Quote:

But Kelly Johnson was prolific, consistent and innovative. P-38, F-104, U-2 and SR-71 were all record breakers. I think what separates him from the rest was his approach not only in concept and design, but the follow through to manufacturing and his interface with the people building his designs....

Couldn't have put it better myself FBJ

pbfoot · 10-27-2005, 03:59 PM

i ll reply with burt rutan

syscom3 · 10-27-2005, 04:36 PM

For piston aircraft, Ed Heineman deserves to be mentioned. The A1 and A26 were some great aircraft. He also designed the A4 Skyhawk and its just as much a legend as the SR71.

FLYBOYJ · 10-27-2005, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by syscom3

A4 Skyhawk and its just as much a legend as the SR71.

Are we getting carried away now?!? - the A-4s a great plane and distinguished combat record - but far from being a legend in the same class as the SR-71!! And if you look at design, systems innovation, complexities of systems, and the impact both aircraft made on aviation history, it's like comparing a Corvette to a Civic

syscom3 · 10-27-2005, 04:59 PM

The A4 fought in plenty of wars, was in production for a quarter of a century and was used by the top gun pilots to teach a lesson or two to pilots flying modern aircraft.

Thats a nice achievement.

The SR71 did what it was designed to do (very well I might add) but it couldnt do the things the A4 could do. I can imagine an Israeli general telling his pilots "heres the SR71 pictures of the Egyptian tank formations, now use you skyhawks to stop them"

09-20-2005, 01:37 PM	#1
Dac Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: British Columbia Posts: 147	Favorite Post-War aircraft designer. Which individual did the best at taking advantage of new technology when designing new aircraft after WW II? The jet engine opened up a whole new realm of possibilties and pushed aerodynamicists to their limits. Who got it right when designing aircraft on paper that some test pilot was actually going to have to put his life on the line in?

09-20-2005, 03:35 PM	#2
FLYBOYJ IP/Mech THE GREAT GAZOO Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Colorado, USA Posts: 16,874	KELLY JOHNSON - SR-71 - NEED I SAY MORE!!!!! __________________ > I Support Doug Gillis <

09-20-2005, 06:09 PM	#4
FLYBOYJ IP/Mech THE GREAT GAZOO Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Colorado, USA Posts: 16,874	__________________ > I Support Doug Gillis <

09-20-2005, 08:22 PM	#5
evangilder "Shooter" Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Moorpark, CA Posts: 15,420	I would agree with Kelly Johnson. The SR-71 is one of MANY great airplanes he designed. For Americans, he was "the man". Jack Northrop was also good. __________________ For once you have tasted flight you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skywards, for there you have been and there you will long to return. Leonardo Da Vinci

09-21-2005, 11:08 AM	#8
Parmigiano Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Campospinoso (PV), Italy Posts: 682	Don't know much about post-war planes, but when I was a kid I fell in love with the Mirage... So I dare say Marcel Dassault, even if I know how dangerous is to talk about Frenchmen in this forum __________________ "God is dead" - Friedrich Nietzsche, 1882 "Nietzsche too" - God, Aug 25, 1900 He hoped and prayed that there wasn't an afterlife. Then he realized there was a contradiction involved here and merely hoped that there wasn't an afterlife. - Douglas Adams In those days spirits were brave, the stakes were high, men were real men, women were real women and small furry creatures from Alpha Centauri were real small furry creatures from Alpha Centauri. - Douglas Adams

09-20-2005, 04:36 PM	#3
Dac Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: British Columbia Posts: 147	Ouch! Dammit my ears are bleeding.

09-20-2005, 08:31 PM	#6
Dac Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: British Columbia Posts: 147	I agree with you about Johnson FLYBOYJ, he was an amazing engineer. His intuition about aerodynamics was so good that someone, I forget who, claimed Johnson could actually see air. My choice for best designer would be Alexander Lippisch. His tailess delta wing design was one of the most copied in the 50-60s. He emigrated to the U.S. after the war, joined Convair and helped build the F-102, F106 and B-58 Hustler.

09-21-2005, 11:26 AM	#9
cheddar cheese Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: WSM, England Posts: 20,387	Whose name is actually Marcel Bloch, designer of Bloch aircraft in WW2 but changed his name when he left France to prevent being captured by the Germans. (I think thats the story anywho.)

09-21-2005, 11:29 AM	#10
FLYBOYJ IP/Mech THE GREAT GAZOO Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Colorado, USA Posts: 16,874	Marcel Dassault - great designer and marketeer. Jack Northrop, another great designer. You also have Edward Henry Heinemann who designed may outstanding Douglas aircraft. But Kelly Johnson was prolific, consistent and innovative. P-38, F-104, U-2 and SR-71 were all record breakers. I think what separates him from the rest was his approach not only in concept and design, but the follow through to manufacturing and his interface with the people building his designs.... __________________ > I Support Doug Gillis <

10-27-2005, 03:59 PM	#12
pbfoot Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: niagara falls Posts: 5,962	i ll reply with burt rutan

10-27-2005, 04:36 PM	#13
syscom3 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 10,812	For piston aircraft, Ed Heineman deserves to be mentioned. The A1 and A26 were some great aircraft. He also designed the A4 Skyhawk and its just as much a legend as the SR71. __________________ "Pilot to copilot..... what are those mountain goats doing up here in the clouds?"

10-27-2005, 04:59 PM	#15
syscom3 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 10,812	The A4 fought in plenty of wars, was in production for a quarter of a century and was used by the top gun pilots to teach a lesson or two to pilots flying modern aircraft. Thats a nice achievement. The SR71 did what it was designed to do (very well I might add) but it couldnt do the things the A4 could do. I can imagine an Israeli general telling his pilots "heres the SR71 pictures of the Egyptian tank formations, now use you skyhawks to stop them" __________________ "Pilot to copilot..... what are those mountain goats doing up here in the clouds?"

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