Archives: Today in History

28 February 1941 – The Republic F-84 Thunderjet was an American turbojet fighter-bomber aircraft. Originating as a 1944 United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) proposal for a “day fighter”, the F-84 first flew in 1946. Although it entered service in 1947, the Thunderjet was plagued by so many structural and engine problems that a 1948 […]

Today is the birthday of Clarence L. “Kelly” Johnson, the American aeronautical and systems engineer. He is recognized for his contributions to a series of important aircraft designs. Besides the first production aircraft to exceed Mach 3, he also produced the first fighter capable of Mach 2, the United States’ first operational jet fighter, as well as the first fighter to exceed 400

27 February 1910 – Clarence Leonard “Kelly” Johnson (February 27, 1910 – December 21, 1990) was an  American aeronautical and systems engineer. He is recognized for his contributions to a series of important aircraft designs, including the Lockheed A-12, Lockheed Aircraft Corporation, Lockheed F-104 Starfighter, Lockheed F-94 Starfire, Lockheed L-049 Constellation, Lockheed Model 10 Electra,