Born Walton, Kentucky, October 26, 1906, Lee Atwood began his
aero career as junior aero engineer with the Army Aircraft Branch
at Wright Field in 1928.
Atwood joined North American Aviation in 1934 and became Chief
Engineer and later President and Chief Executive Officer. He
developed a series of military aircraft: BT-9, BC-1, T-6 trainers,
and the B-25 Mitchell bomber; all of which contributed significantly
to U.S. airpower. He personally originated the design concept of
P-51 Mustang fighter of which 15,000 were produced for the Allies.
Postwar he led North American into the jet age with the F-86 and F-100
fighters, and into advanced aerodynamic research with the X-15 hypersonic
aircraft and the B-70 strategic bomber. North American produced some
60,000 military aircraft under his leadership. Atwood's work also
included the Minuteman missle, the Apollo spacecraft, Saturn booster
engines, and the Space Shuttle program.
Atwood retired in 1970 as President of Rockwell International, a leader
with dignity, integrity, and dedication to the advance of aero science.
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