Clarence L. "Kelly" Johnson
"Be quick, be quiet and be on time."

Kelly Johnson is credited with designing the first 400 MPH aircraft -- of course, our beloved P-38. 

At the remarkably young age of 33 he drew the preliminary sketches (see right) for what would ultimately become the most maneuverable -- and we believe the most beautiful airplane --in the Army Air Corps.

To learn more about this remarkable designer, check out the materials below.

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Designer of almost every outstanding Lockheed aircraft from the P-38 to the awesome Blackbirds, Kelly Johnson emerged from a childhood of poverty and obscurity to make his mark on the aviation world. His A-12/YF-12/SR-71 was secretly flying at Mach III+ long before other designers even admitted it was possible. This is the book the CIA didn’t want published because of the sensitivity of some of Lockheed’s projects. The book doesn’t print any secrets, but it does reveal details on the development of many famous (and infamous) airplanes. 210 pages, soft cover.
 

KELLY JOHNSON - LEGENDS OF AIRPOWER SERIES

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Joining Lockheed as a tool designer, Kelly Johnson became one of America's foremost aircraft designers. He developed more than 40 aircraft, from the U-2 to the F-104, and was the head of Lockheed's advanced development projects, known as the "Skunk Works." When he retired in 1975, this tool designer had become Lockheed's Senior Vice President. 30 Minutes. 

(If you'd like to own the three-tape set, click here.)
 

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Authorized text pulls back the veil of secrecy that shrouded the Lockheed design and new-projects department, producing the U-2, SR-71, and F-117. Profiles Kelly Johnson, Ben Rich and Sherm Mullin. Revised edition. 500+ photos, 100 drawings, 216 pages, Soft cover.

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"...a most thoroughly researched and well written book..." - Kelly Johnson, Lockheed Skunk Works.

A highly detailed record of the development and operation of the P-38 Lightning. High precision line drawings, including details on never-before-published prototypes and proposals - are just some of the treats inside. In addition to the plane, you'll also get coverage of top P-38 aces of WWII. 276 pages, 280 B&W and 39 color illustrations. Soft cover.

LEGENDS OF AIRPOWER -- SET TWO

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Thirteen episodes from the award-winning "Legends of Airpower" series. Includes John McCain, Charles McGee, Robert Morgan, Tooey Spaatz, Buzz Aldrin, Kelly Johnson, John Alison, Charles Lindbergh, Jackie Cochran, Eileen Collins, Francis Gary Powers, William Tunner, and the Wright Brothers. Three tape set, 6½ hours.  (Legends of Airpower - Set One also available.)

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Here is an insider's view of the sometimes romantic, often quirky world of aviation. An anthology of aviation personalities, international events, and milestones, this book features the still-mysterious Howard Hughes, Donald Douglas, Kelly Johnson, Jack Northrop, Neil Armstrong, Benjamin O. Davis, Charles de Gaulle and the Paris Air Show, and others. Sit back and enjoy this front row seat to aviation's greatest show on Earth. 160 pages, 20 photos. Soft cover.