1910 – 1990
Aeronautical and systems engineer
Johnson was born in the Michigan Upper Peninsula town of Ishpeming on November 27, 1910 to immigrant Swedish parents. He later moved to Flint where his father had a construction business. He graduated from Flint High School. He worked summers during high school saving money for flying lessons but the Instructor suggested that Kelly go to school. He graduated from Flint Junior College and then the University of Michigan, receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in 1932 He went on to received his Master of Science Degree in Aeronautical Engineering in 1933.
He joined the Lockheed Aircraft Corporation in 1933. He was appointed Chief Research Engineer in 1938 and named Chief Engineer in 1952. He was subsequently promoted to Vice President, Advanced Development Projects in 1958 And Senior Vice President in 1969 Created or developed:
- P-80 “Shooting Star”, the first U. S. jet fighter in service
- XFV-1, vertical takeoff plane
- T2V “Sea star” jet trainer
- C-130 “Hercules” turbojet transport
- High-altitude U-2
- C-140 “Jetstar” transport
- Agena-D space satellite
- Mach 3 YF-12A interceptor
- SR-71 “Blackbird” reconnaissance aircraft
Kelly was awarded two Collier Trophies – 1958 for his Mach 2 F-104 “Starfighter” created to combat Soviet MiGs; 1963 for the USAF A-11 Mach 3 Aircraft precursor to the YF-12 and SR-71. He helped develop the P-38 “lightning” interceptor, the model 18 “Lodestar, the B-37, “Ventura, and PV-1 Bombers, and the “Constellation” airliners. He was Inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame, 1974.
References:
Clarence L. Kelly Johnson Wikipedia.