Kelly: More Than My Share of it All

What is “Skunk Works”? The “Skunk Works” is the Advanced Development Projects from Lockheed which has designed more than 40 aircraft. The main objectives of the “Skunk Works” organization are to make breakthrough designs in minimum time and maximum security. If you want to know what the “Skunk Works” is, how it did start and who did start it, what they are doing and above all how they are doing it, then this is the book you should read. This book is an autobiography of Clarence L. Johnson known as "Kelly". He did start it all. He will tell you all the fantastic projects he has been working with and how and why he did create the “Skunk Works”. Kelly has decided at the age of 12 to be an aircraft designer. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in aeronautical engineering in 1932 at the University of Michigan and he was hired at Lockheed (Burbank, California) in 1933 where he did spend his entire professional life. Kelly first works in tooling and wind-tunnel for the Electra aircraft. Then he did work on the P-38 and the Constellation (the first modern airliner). After many years of working experience in Lockheed Kelly Johnson got the idea to “set up an experimental department where designers and shop artisans could work together closely in development of airplanes without the delays and complications of intermediate departments to handle administration, purchasing, and all the other support functions. I wanted a direct relationship between design engineer and mechanic and manufacturing. I decided to handle this new project just that way.” In June 1943 the “Skunk Works” was born. It did start with 23 engineers only. Their first projects were the F-80 and the F-104 (where are the wings?) and it was followed by the very famous “spy” planes: the U-2 and the SR-71. The main mottoes of Kelly Johnson are: - Be quick, be quite, be on time. - Keep it simple, stupid - Those who design aircraft also should fly them – to keep a proper perspective. But to really appreciate how Kelly Johnson did it you really have to read his book. The book is also full of personal anecdotes (such as about Howard Hughes and others) and many technical anecdotes from which you will learn much. Three of the last chapters of the book: • It’s No Secret, • Defending Ourselves, • Technology and Tomorrow, are still of particular interest today. You will really enjoy the reading of that 210 pages book. If you want to know more about the “Skunk Works” (and you will after reading that first book from Kelly Johnson) you should also read the book of Ben R. Rich & Leo Janos that is simply named “Skunk Works”. Ben Rich has started to work for the “Skunk Works” in 1955. He became later the assistant of Kelly Johnson and he became the boss of the “Skunk Works after Kelly took his retirement. The book from Ben Rich is very abundant in technical information and anecdotes. It is very well complemented by the texts of many witnesses that have work for or with the “Skunk Works” as well as many pilots and more. A very enjoyable and informative book of 400 pages. As nice complement you should buy is the “The Projects of Skunk Works: 75 Years of Lockheed Martin's Advanced Development Programs” by Steve Pace. It is a hardcover book of 256 pages with a 28 cm x 24 cm large format. The book contains a very large quantity of color photos and illustrations as well as a very informative text about all the aircraft that have been designed by the Lockheed “Skunk Works” and you will also find in it a short specification for each of the aircraft. A must have.

A monumental book from a monumental aero engineer and personality. I am so happy to have this book in my collection. If you're into Blackbirds, Skunks and aerospace, you have to have this in your collection.

"More than my share of it all" is, simply, a very interesting book. I am normally a slow reader, but as an experienced Mechanical Engineer with an interest in military history, I read this book in a couple of hours. The mans life is and should continue to be an inspiration. He literally started with nothing, and ended up as a highly responsible and respected Engineer, who somehow found enough spare time to design his house and own two cattle ranches. Equally, he faced more than his share of heartache, twice being widowed, and never having children. He succeeded in achieving in the 1950s and 1960s what is difficult today, confirming the belief of many engineers, that the technical challenges are only 1% of the work. The real challenge is the management structure. My Three minor complaints are: 1: - Its a relatively short book, only 200 or so pages. This is not much to chronicle the life of an engineer as great as Kelly Johnson. For example, Justin Beiber can, allegedly, fill a similar number of pages on his career making teenage girls cry. 2: - It is written for a general rather than technical audience. This is doubtless of benefit to many readers, but for myself, I would have liked considerably more detail of the engineering and personal challenges faced. 3: - As he had obviously received support from a ghost writer, there were several technical mistakes in the text, most notably when describing the failure mechanism of a turbine disc - an area that I happen to be an expert on.

What a fantastic life story of a truly inspirational engineer and a great organisation that he developed. A fascinating catalogue of projects and a legacy to leave behind. As relevant today as the time it was written, with amazing foresight!

. Interesting and inspiring content, about a remarkable life and a remarkable company. The book is also well structured, each chapter has been enticingly put together .

A very interesting book covering the life of 'Kelly' Johnson. A bit short on technical detail but gives a good outline of the work covered in the Skunk Works. A remarkable individual with immense drive to resolve very difficult technical problems. Would recommend. Also see the Skunk Works book by Ben Rich which covers slightly more detail of the Works.

I enjoyed this book for placing the period in historical perspective. I had maybe hoped for a more technical perspective and less of the feeling that the interesting things were still somewhat censored/classified. Enjoyable read nevertheless

I just finished reading this book in its Kindle edition, and it was just amazing. As a manager Kelly had an unique way of achieving his goals, as a person the love for his career, and his passion for life are remarkable.

One of the best aviation books I have ever read.

Great book about a great leader in aviation history

L'esposizione è ben organizzata e offre sicuramente un pezzo di storia dell'aviazione scritta da uno dei protagonisti

So many experiences, anecdotes, and interesting science facts. Well written, it is easy to follow and difficult to stop reading.

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