Have just bought and am now in the process of reading Clarence Johnson’s autobiography and it reminds me that today is the 70th anniversary of the first flight of the Lockheed P-80/F-80 Shooting Star.
Powered by a DH Goblin engine I like the story about the DH engineer (Guy Bristow) taken in by the Burbank(?) Police for jay-walking on Hollywood Boulevard and then further accused of draft-dodging! He had arrived in the US on a secret flight with the engine and had no papers. The Air Corps had to be brought in to secure his release.
“Kelly: More Than My Share Of It” by Clarence L. “Kelly” Johnson and Maggie Smith Smithsonian Institution 1985 ISBN 0-87474-564-0. A good read.
Roger Smith.
By: RPSmith - 9th June 2013 at 03:27
I believe you have the date wrong it first flew on 8 January 1944. Whatever I have always liked the looks of that aircraft.
Oh dear – much embarrassment :apologetic: sorry!
Roger Smith
By: paul178 - 8th June 2013 at 22:20
I believe you have the date wrong it first flew on 8 January 1944. Whatever I have always liked the looks of that aircraft.
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June 8, 2013 at 9:14 pm