By Willie K.
I participated in implementing procurement and in furnishing
parts for the B-29 modification, all models of the C-130, C-141 modification
and the C-5. I began my employment with Lockheed-Georgia in mid-May 1951. I
retired some 33 years later.
I was in the materiel division, with approximately equal
time between material requirements and material control. The material requirements
department determined which parts were to be purchased as finished parts and
which were to be fabricated in plant and which raw materials would be required
for fabrication. During my time in material control, I dealt primarily with
purchased parts. All versions of the C-130 did not use identical parts because
the different aircraft versions served different purposes.
Material control determined the quantity of parts to be
ordered and the schedules when they were needed, then prepared the request to
purchase form, which authorized the buyer in the purchasing department to
initiate procurement. Material control and the purchasing department worked
together very closely, especially on major procurement items, such as engines
and propellers, and other very expensive parts. The buyer handling procurement
of the engines and propellers was Dave Fish, who has passed away since my
retirement.
When parts were received and stocked, material control authorized
release of parts to the using department. Periodically, a count of parts on
hand in stores and those released to the control cribs, together with which
ships on which installation had been made, were reconciled with computer
records, similar to the manner in which we reconcile our bank statements. This
prevented loss or mishandling.
I was in frequent contact with multiple buyers regarding
the parts they were procuring. Our relationships were cooperative. I am now 82
years old. Regretfully, my memory regarding names has faded.
Early in 1967, one buyer, Paul, came to ask a question
regarding one of the parts he was buying. That contact eventually led to a
marriage proposal and wedding. On September 1, 1967, we were married, and we have
now happily celebrated our 45th wedding anniversary.
I am appreciative and thankful for the years at Lockheed-Georgia.
