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The Lockheed Martin Skunk Works was founded in the summer of 1943 to develop a jet-powered high-altitude interceptor for the USAAF, and ever since it has been at the forefront of technological development in the world of aviation. From the XP-80 to the U-2, SR-71, F-117, F-22 and now the F-35, the Skunk Works team has designed aircraft that are the pinnacle of innovation and performance. 75 years of the Lockheed Martin Skunk Works takes us through the history of this legendary facility from its foundation at the height of World War II under the talented engineer, Clarence 'Kelly' Johnson, through to the present day. Illustrated with over a thousand photographs and drawings, it details the 46 unclassified programmes developed by the Skunk Works, following them through prototype build-up, first flight and, if they reached the frontline, operational service.
75 years of the Lockheed Martin Skunk Works
James C. Goodall
This pictorial journey will take the reader from the very beginning of the Skunk Works' very first project (XP-80 Shooting Star) and follow the programme through prototype build-up, first flight and, if they reached the frontline, operational service.
Book Details
Imprint: Osprey Publishing
Publication Date: 13-05-2021
Format: 242 x 300mm
384 pagesAbout the Author
James C. Goodall is a published author with 24 books in print, and with book No 25 (a pictorial history of the Seawolf/Virginia class nuclear submarines) in the final stages of going to press. He is a recognised expert on low-observable aircraft such as the F-117, B-2A, the Lockheed 'twins' (F-22 and F-35) and the Lockheed Skunk Works family of Blackbirds. Photographing and writing about 'spooky aircraft' for the last 35 years, he is also an acknowledged expert on Area 51 as it pertains to flight-testing classified aircraft in a remote location. His very first book, co-authored with Bill Sweetman, was the first volume in print on the F-117, and it sold more than 60,000 copies. James's seven previous books with SquadronSignal have sold a minimum of 3500 copies to a maximum of 17,000 copies. Even the $100US Blackbird Flight Manual that was published by Motorbooks in 1990 sold 1500 copies in 15 months. His Blackbird pictorial from Schiffer (published in May 2018) is considered by many in the 'Spooky aircraft' world to be the most complete pictorial ever assembled on the subject. The new Vice President and General Manager of the Lockheed Martin Skunk Works, Jeff Babione, described it as 'Spectacular'.
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