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'''Henry Combs''' was a structural engineer at [[Clarence Johnson]]'s famed [[Skunk Works]] group of [[Lockheed Corporation]]. He was Deputy Project Manager on the [[Lockheed U-2]] program, Head Structural Engineer on the [[SR-71 Blackbird]], and later, Technical Director of the Skunk Works. While he is most known for his integral work on the U-2, the SR-71 and the [[F-117 Nighthawk]], he also worked on the [[F-104]], [[Lockheed Constellation]], [[C-130 Hercules]], [[XP-58 Chain Lightning]], and [[Lockheed JetStar]].
'''Henry Combs''' was a structural engineer at [[Clarence Johnson]]'s famed [[Skunk Works]] group of [[Lockheed Corporation]]. He was Deputy Project Manager on the [[Lockheed U-2]] program, Head Structural Engineer on the [[SR-71 Blackbird]], and later, Technical Director of the Skunk Works. While he is most known for his integral work on the U-2, the SR-71 and the [[F-117 Nighthawk]], he also worked on the [[F-104]], [[Lockheed Constellation]], [[C-130 Hercules]], [[XP-58 Chain Lightning]], and [[Lockheed JetStar]].


Combs is revered as the father of the [[titanium]] A-12 structure. According to Ben Rich in "Skunk Works", Combs was the "dean" of the eight man structures group and an "irascible genius".
Combs is revered as the father of the [[titanium]] A-12 structure. According to Ben Rich in "Skunk Works"<ref>978-0316743006</ref>, Combs was the "dean" of the eight man structures group and an "irascible genius".


Combs spoke on the U-2's development at the [[CIA]]'s "The CIA and the U-2 Program" conference on 17 September 1998.
Combs spoke on the U-2's development at the [[CIA]]'s "The CIA and the U-2 Program" conference on 17 September 1998.

Revision as of 18:31, 7 December 2010

Henry Combs was a structural engineer at Clarence Johnson's famed Skunk Works group of Lockheed Corporation. He was Deputy Project Manager on the Lockheed U-2 program, Head Structural Engineer on the SR-71 Blackbird, and later, Technical Director of the Skunk Works. While he is most known for his integral work on the U-2, the SR-71 and the F-117 Nighthawk, he also worked on the F-104, Lockheed Constellation, C-130 Hercules, XP-58 Chain Lightning, and Lockheed JetStar.

Combs is revered as the father of the titanium A-12 structure. According to Ben Rich in "Skunk Works"[1], Combs was the "dean" of the eight man structures group and an "irascible genius".

Combs spoke on the U-2's development at the CIA's "The CIA and the U-2 Program" conference on 17 September 1998.

An accomplished glider pilot, Combs is honored by the Soaring Society of America's "Henry Combs Perpetual Trophy". In 1998, he completed his 200th straight-out diamond distance flight.


  1. ^ 978-0316743006