Monday, January 21, 2013

Its Mission Was Reconnaissance


We ensured the ES-3A’s carrier suitability
by Jim W.

I was the Vought aircraft test project engineer on the Lockheed ES-3A structural static test program conducted in Dallas, Texas. Testing ensured the aircraft’s carrier suitability. Our test laboratory designed, fabricated and tested a unique dynamic test facility for conducting the drop test program, simulating aircraft carrier landings. I made many visits to Burbank and Rye Canyon, coordinating the test program to be conducted by the Vought test lab. A description of the drop test facility was published in the November 16, 1972 issue of the Lockheed Star.