P-38 Lightning

[TrueblueF-18Girl]

WHO: Peter Law was hired right out of college to work for the Lockheed Skunk Works as a thermodynamics engineer associated with SR-71 and the U-2 in Burbank and Palmdale. His career included the M-21, D-21, YF-12A, A-12, F-117A and F-35, Have Blue, and Senior High to name a few. Forty years of his work for Lockheed was with Skunk Works. Pete has also contributed significantly to engine performance in air racing, intimately with several of the Gold Unlimited champions, and is still a vital part of air racing champions today. Joe Szep was the last member of the original Skunk Works team.  He was a designer of the P-38, P-80 Shooting Star, and the Constellation.  He is a recipient of the Reno Air Racing Foundation's Aviation Pathfinder Award.  Charles Isaacs - Historian and Educator.  Kevin Thompson - Planes of Fame Historian and Moderator.

WHAT: The topic is the Lockheed Skunk Works, featuring the P-38 Lighning. Open to the public, we present a discussion panel of aviation experts followed by a question & answer period and demonstration flight of the P-38 Lightning. POF Members are entered into a raffle for a flight in the L-19 Birddog following the presentation!

WHEN: Saturday, February 5, 2011 10:00am–12 noon: Speaker program. 12 noon: P-38 Lightning flight demonstration.

WHERE: Planes of Fame Air Museum
7000 Merrill Avenue #17
Chino, CA 91710

WHY: Our mission at Planes of Fame Air Museum to educate and inspire current and future generations to our aviation and military history.

[aero-engineer]

I know Pete, he's a great guy.

He actually spent more years at the Skunk Works than Ben Rich or Kelly Johnson by the time he "retired". 

Very talented engineer.


Kevin
aero-engineer

[aero-engineer]

Oh - if anyone goes - ask Pete to tell the story about the A-12 Oxcart static testing.

Kevin
aero-engineer

[rammsteinmatt]

Senior High?  Which a/c or prototype was that?  Google was less than helpful

[aero-engineer]

I believe Pete meant "Senor Prom", the little known Lockheed faceted cruise missile of the late 1970s / early 1980s.

Kevin
aero-engineer

[raptorf22]

some from today

[KSzok]

Nice images, paptorf22.

There was quite a big turn out at the event.  It was good to see so many people there.  Very interesting information about the Skunk Works was shared by Pete.

Here are a few images from my perspective.

Two of the plane outside the main hanger.





Second engine starting.



Returning from the flight.



Thanks for looking.

Ken

[warbirdfotos]

Love that last one, Ken!

[phantomphan1974]

Love that last one, Ken!

Ditto!!!!

[KSzok]

Warbirdfotos and phantomphan1974,  Thanks for the comments.  Very much appreciated.