Skunk Works: A Personal Memoir of My Years of Lockheed By Ben R. Rich and Leo Janos is the story of the legendary Lockheed Skunk Works. The Skunk Works developed the U-2, SR-71 Blackbird, F-117 Nighthawk, F-22 Raptor, and F-35 Lightning II.
This is the story of the development of the U-2, SR-71 and F-117 along with the men who test flew the planes. He even explains where the name Skunk Works came from.
It is difficult at times to follow who is speaking in the book. There will be the name/position of a person and then it launches into a new narrative from that person. If you’re confused because the current story doesn’t seem to line up, skip back and you’ll see it is someone new.
The book does get into the weeds a bit on procurement, contracts, etc. but is worth pushing through for the stories.
Skunk Works: A Personal Memoir of My Years of Lockheed By Ben R. Rich and Leo Janos
