‘LOCKHEED SKUNK WORKS’ – Living History at Planes of Fame

POF's Lockheed P-38J Lightning "23 Skidoo".(Image via Harry 'T' Geier)
Aircorps Art Dec 2019


POF's Lockheed P-38J Lightning "23 Skidoo".(Image via Harry 'T' Geier)
POF’s Lockheed P-38J Lightning “23 Skidoo”.(Image via Harry ‘T’ Geier)

The Planes of Fame Air Museum in Chino, California will be presenting another of its Living History Event on Saturday, February 7th. The event is open to the public of course. This month’s feature is titled ‘Lockheed Skunk Works’, and will feature the museum’s Lockheed P-38 Lightning. The speakers will be Pete Law and Don Oldis. The P-38 will be on display and perform a flight demonstration if weather/technical issues permit. The Membership Sponsored Raffle Flight will be in a designated vintage aircraft at 12:00 noon. Become a member to enter the raffle. All members are eligible to enter the raffle, but you must be present to win.

Lockheed's Skunk Works Logo.
Lockheed’s Skunk Works Logo.

WHO: Peter Law was hired right out of college to work for Lockheed Aircraft in Burbank as a thermodynamics engineer in January of 1959. Law transferred to the Lockheed Skunk Works in July 1961, and was associated with the SR-71 Blackbird and U-2 in Burbank and Palmdale. His career included the M-21, D-21, YF-12A, A-12, F-117A, F-35, Have Blue and Senior High to name a few. Forty years of his work at Lockheed was with the Skunk Works. After retirement, he worked part-time for a consulting company on the X-47B, Northrop Grumman’s UCAV. Pete Law has also contributed significantly towards improving engine performance in air racing; intimately with several of the Gold Unlimited champions at the National Championship Air Races in Reno, Nevada. He is still a vital part of air racing champions today.

Lt. Colonel Don A. Oldis (USAF Ret.) flew with the military in three wars: WWII, Korea and Viet Nam. He has flown many aircraft including the P-38, P-39 and P-51 in WWII; the P-51, F-80, F-84 and F-86 in Korea; and the C-119, C-121 and C-124 in Viet Nam (as an Air Guard pilot). Don has many fascinating and thrilling stories from wartime flying. He served in the 11th Airforce, 20th Airforce, and Air National Guard in Iowa, Oklahoma and California. He was a well regarded pilot, became a designated Wing Flying Safety Officer. Col. Oldis’ Active Duty dates ran from November 1942 to September 1946, and then April 1951 to December 1952. He was part of the Reserves from 1946 to 1951 and then 1952 to 1972. Col. Oldis served in the Aleutian Islands during WWII, and with special operations in Korea. His decorations and awards encompass the Pacific Theater, Korean Theater and Vietnam ribbons.

Kevin Thompson (Planes of Fame’s Moderator and Aviation Historian) and Edward Maloney (Museum Founder, Curator and Aviation Historian) will moderate and join in the presentation.

WHEN: Saturday, February 7th, 2015, 10am–12 noon: Speaker program & flight demonstration. Museum doors open at 9:00am.

WHERE: Planes of Fame Air Museum, 7000 Merrill Avenue #17, Chino, CA 91710

WHY: Planes of Fame Air Museum’s mission is to preserve aviation history, inspire interest in aviation, educate the public, and honor aviation pioneers and veterans. The museum sponsors regular events in the form of inspirational experiences, educational presentations, flight demonstrations, and airshows in fulfillment of this mission.

Planes of Fame Air Museum, ‘Where Warbirds Fly and Aviation History Lives’

For more information visit www.planesoffame.org

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