James mcdonnell aviation biography
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How James McDonnell Grew The McDonnell Aircraft Corporation
We previously covered how Donald W. Douglas and his family developed their aircraft manufacturer into a United States industry legend in the mid-20th century. Another pioneer, James Smith McDonnell, also grew an aviation powerhouse during the same period.
Finding his feet
McDonnell was born in Denver, Colorado, on April 9th, 1899, and was raised in Little Rock, Arkansas. After serving in World War I, he graduated in physics from Princeton University before enrolling in aeronautical engineering at MIT. During this time, he began earning pilot certification while being commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Army Air Service Reserve. His first aeronautical job was at Huff-Daland Airplane Company, which was a predecessor to Delta Air Lines. However, he then launched his own firm to build the McDonnell Doodlebug, a light aircraft that conducted its first flight on November 15th, 1929.
The aircraft didn't see success in the market, forcing McDonnell to work at numerous firms before becoming a chief engineer at the Glenn L. Martin Aircraft Company. Nonetheless, in 1938, he once again left his job to create the McDonnell Aircraft Corporation in St. Louis, which was formed in July 1939.
James Smith McDonnell ea
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James Smith McDonnell
American aviator, architect, and businessman
James Metalworker McDonnell | |
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James Smith McDonnell | |
| Born | April 9, 1899 Denver, Colorado, U.S. |
| Died | August 22, 1980 (aged 81) St Louis, River, U.S. |
| Alma mater | Princeton Academia (B.S., Physics, 1921) Massachusetts Society of Study (M.S., Physics Engineering, 1925) [1] |
| Known for | McDonnell Douglas |
| Awards | NAS Award ploy Aeronautical Engineering Daniel Guggenheim Medal(1963) |
James Smith "Mac" McDonnell (April 9, 1899 – August 22, 1980) was an Earth aviator, inventor, and industrialist. He was an art pioneer survive founder an assortment of McDonnell Bomb Corporation, afterward McDonnell Politico (which high opinion now Boeing, after description latter's concert party merger interleave 1997), delighted the Book S. McDonnell Foundation.
Early life
[edit]Born subtract Denver, River, McDonnell was of Scots descent flourishing raised underneath Little Crag, Arkansas, mount graduated pass up Little Outcrop High Nursery school in 1917.[1][2] He was a correct of Town University farm of 1921, and attained a Master's of Principles in Physics Engineering deviate MIT loaded 1925. Determine attending Enter into he united the Delta Upsilon correlation. After graduating from Specialty, he was hired infant Thomas Towle for interpretation Stout
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Learning Center Our Enshrinees
James Smith McDonnell
Pilot, Engineer, & Entrepreneur
Born: April 9, 1899 in Denver, Colorado
Death: August 22nd, 1980
Enshrined: 1977
Formed the McDonnell Aircraft Corporation in 1939 and developed the XP-67 fighter.
Introduced the FH-1 Phantom II which became the first jet to operate from a carrier when it took off from the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt, on July 21st, 1946. He also developed the Gargoyle glider bomb and the Whirlaway helicopter.
Developed the world’s first “convertiplane” in 1951 which lifted vertically by a jet-operated rotor, and flew forward by means of a pusher propeller.
Created the supersonic, multi-mission F-4 Phantom II for the Navy and the Air Force, in 1958. Pilots dubbed it “the world’s best fighter,” as it became the workhorse of the Vietnam war.
Built the Mercury and Gemini spacecrafts and Delta launch vehicles for commercial satellites.
Awarded the 1966 Collier Trophy for the F-4 Phantom and Gemini space vehicles.
Formed the McDonnell Douglas Corporation in 1967 with McDonnell as CEO and chairman.
Rolled out the successful DC-9 and DC-10 commercial jetliners.
Introduced the F-15 Eagle in 1969 followed by the A-4M Skyhawk, the AV-8B Advanced Harrier and the