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FLYBOYJ said:KELLY JOHNSON - SR-71 - NEED I SAY MORE!!!!!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....
syscom3 said:A4 Skyhawk and its just as much a legend as the SR71.
syscom3 said: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"
DerAdlerIstGelandet said:My vote goes either for Northrop and Kelly Johnson for fixed wing and Bell Textron (not sure who the chief designer was) and Sikorsky for rotary wing.