Ed Heinemann
Edward Henry Heinemann (b.
14 March 1908, d.
26 November 1991)
Acclaimed
military aircraft designer for
Douglas Aircraft.
Heinemann was born in
Saginaw,
Michigan, but moved to
California as a boy and was raised in
Los Angeles. A self-taught engineer, he joined
Douglas Aircraft as a draftsman in
1926, but was laid off within a year. After stints at International Aircraft, Moreland Aircraft, and Northrop, Heinemann re-joined Douglas when it acquired Northrop. Heinemann became Douglas's Chief Engineer in
1936. He remained with the company through
1960, when he left to join
Guidance Technology. In 1962 he joined
General Dynamics as Corporate Vice President of Engineering. In this position he oversaw the development of the
F-16. He retired in
1973.
His approach to aircraft design was often simple, once saying that he just took the most powerful engine available, and designed the aircraft around that.
During his long career at Douglas, Heinemann designed more than 20 combat aircraft for the
US Navy, including many that became legends in their field. His designs included:
*
SBD Dauntless dive bomber*
A-20 Havoc attack aircraft*
A-26 Invader attack aircraft*
A-1 Skyraider attack aircraft*
A-3 Skywarrior bomber*
A-4 Skyhawk light
bomber*
F3D Skyknight night fighter*
F4D Skyray carrier-based fighter aircraft*
Douglas Skyrocket and
Douglas Skystreak research aircraft
*
1953:
Collier Trophy (for the
F4D Skyray)
*
1978:
Guggenheim Medal*
1981:
National Aviation Hall of Fame *
1983:
National Medal of ScienceThe Naval Air Systems Command awards the "Edward H. Heinemann Award" annually to the individual or group that makes a significant contribution to aircraft design.
*
Heinemann biography at Skyhawk Association homepage* Edward H. Heinemann and Rosario Rausa, "Ed Heinemann - Combat Aircraft Designer", ISBN 0-87021-797-6
