Well known aircraft, less known designers
Discussion
We all know about Reginald Mitchell and the Spitfire, Sydney Camm and his Hurricane. How about giving some credit to the lesser mentioned designers of other well known aircraft?
I'll start with Isaac M. Laddon, who gave us the Consolidated PBY Catalina and the B-24 Liberator, with 3,308 and 18,188 built of each respectively.
I'll start with Isaac M. Laddon, who gave us the Consolidated PBY Catalina and the B-24 Liberator, with 3,308 and 18,188 built of each respectively.
TGCOTF-dewey said:
LimaDelta said:
Kelly Johnson
Designer of some of the most famous aircraft in the world, but hardly a household name.
Not to mention the P-38, Constellation, F-104 U-2, F-117A,
How is Kelly less known? Designer of some of the most famous aircraft in the world, but hardly a household name.
Not to mention the P-38, Constellation, F-104 U-2, F-117A,
Obviously he will be well known to anyone who spends time reading aircraft development history or biographies, just like Roy Chadwick above.
LimaDelta said:
Most non pilots/enthusiasts will know what a Blackbird is. Very few will know who Kelly Johnson is.
Obviously he will be well known to anyone who spends time reading aircraft development history or biographies, just like Roy Chadwick above.
I've never read an aircraft development book... I couldn't tell you off the the top of my head who had designed the hurricane... and even I've heard of Kelly Johnson. Obviously he will be well known to anyone who spends time reading aircraft development history or biographies, just like Roy Chadwick above.
TGCOTF-dewey said:
LimaDelta said:
Most non pilots/enthusiasts will know what a Blackbird is. Very few will know who Kelly Johnson is.
Obviously he will be well known to anyone who spends time reading aircraft development history or biographies, just like Roy Chadwick above.
I've never read an aircraft development book... I couldn't tell you off the the top of my head who had designed the hurricane... and even I've heard of Kelly Johnson. Obviously he will be well known to anyone who spends time reading aircraft development history or biographies, just like Roy Chadwick above.
LimaDelta said:
Strange thing to pick a fight over, but this is the 'Boats Planes and Trains' subforum, so I would expect anyone browsing it to at least have a passing interest in aircraft. I can delete the post if it upsets you so much.
How is asking a question picking a fight? You seem very triggered by someone disagreeing with your definition 'less known'. In the world of aerospace I really wouldn't consider him less known. BTW... Your post doesn't upset me in the least.
It depends on who the target audience is. The general public probably don't know ANY aircraft designers - so they are ALL "less well known".
Another candidate that maybe even some knowledgeable aviation people may not be aware of is Beverley Shenstone. Although R J Mitchell generally gets the credit for the Spitfire (as he was Chief Designer at Supermarine), the real credit for the Spitfire's design goes to Shenstone as it was he who designed the wing.
Even in the 1930s, aircraft designs were a team effort. People like Mitchell and Camm were heads of the design department in their respective companies and there was a lot of important input from their engineering staff.
Another candidate that maybe even some knowledgeable aviation people may not be aware of is Beverley Shenstone. Although R J Mitchell generally gets the credit for the Spitfire (as he was Chief Designer at Supermarine), the real credit for the Spitfire's design goes to Shenstone as it was he who designed the wing.
Even in the 1930s, aircraft designs were a team effort. People like Mitchell and Camm were heads of the design department in their respective companies and there was a lot of important input from their engineering staff.
It’s obviously debatable whether aircraft designers are well known or not, especially if you are referring to amongst the general public or enthusiasts.
Kelly Johnson was one of the great aircraft designers though, I really enjoyed Ben Rich’s Skunk Works book and Kelly’s own autobiography, Kelly - more than my share of it all.
Again, debatable whether he is not well known, but I would say Teddy Petter deserves a mention. Some very innovative designs, the Lysander being an important aircraft in its role with the SOE to the Canberra and Lightning. I would recommend the book from Lysander to Lightning. His final years seem strange and quite sad.
Kelly Johnson was one of the great aircraft designers though, I really enjoyed Ben Rich’s Skunk Works book and Kelly’s own autobiography, Kelly - more than my share of it all.
Again, debatable whether he is not well known, but I would say Teddy Petter deserves a mention. Some very innovative designs, the Lysander being an important aircraft in its role with the SOE to the Canberra and Lightning. I would recommend the book from Lysander to Lightning. His final years seem strange and quite sad.
Leslie Frise- invented the Frise aileron which featured on the Spitfire amongst many others. Went on to do lots of design work for Bristol Aircraft (Beaufort, Beaufighter, Brabazon, Frieghter etc.) then continued his career at Percival and then Blackburn.
He worked with and then took over from Frank Barnwell (Bulldog, Blenhiem) who was sadly killed in a crash in 1938.
Another one is Rex Pierson, chief designer on the Vickers Wellington. Many people associate the Wellington with Barnes Wallis, but that was the structural geodetic framework rather than the aircraft itself. Pierson's other projects included the Vickers Vimy, Wellesley and Viscount.
He worked with and then took over from Frank Barnwell (Bulldog, Blenhiem) who was sadly killed in a crash in 1938.
Another one is Rex Pierson, chief designer on the Vickers Wellington. Many people associate the Wellington with Barnes Wallis, but that was the structural geodetic framework rather than the aircraft itself. Pierson's other projects included the Vickers Vimy, Wellesley and Viscount.
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