There ya go!

There has been a great deal of dispute as to how the Skunk Works got is name. Most often suggested is that it was based on a comic strip character of the time it was formed (1943/4).

But the reality is that when the Skunk Works was formed (i.e., upon getting the go-ahead to produce the XP-80A), there were no facilities available (in Burbank) due to the ongoing war effort. So they constructed a circus tent, with armed guards, next to a plastics plant. You can imagine the stinch emitted from that plant. Hence, the name.

XP-80A - first American production jet fighter (P-80, then F-80, and T-33 derivative). Flying before war's end, the first one built from paper to flying in around 140 days, by around 140 people, with a major configuration change half way through due to a swap from the too late GE engine to the proven Rolls-Royce. The Skunk Works immediately got a great reputation. Dad did the hydralics and instrumentation. The "A" now hangs in the Smithsonian. The "B" crashed shortly after take off due to flame-out. P-38 Ace Dick Bong was at the stick, having been hired by Lockheed to be test pilot (in addition to Tony Levier). Probably pilot error.

I've got this history firmly implanted, and a lot more. Nothing like listening in on BS sessions between my Dad and his old Skunk Works cronies. Too bad I was too young to fully appreciate. Wish they were still around - I'd have a lot of questions! Some of which would have gone unanswered, e.g., Groom Lake - which Dad NEVER talked about directly. I found out from Mom, who found out by the mistake of one of Dad's co-workers in 1958 - she told me about it after Dad passed away in 1984, and after the world knew what Groom Lake was (Area 51). I recall in 1979, when I was working for Lockheed and looking for a relo to Nevada, I noted to Dad that per the world-wide Lockheed phone/facility directory, there was no Lockheed activity in Nevada. All he would say is that there was a "black" facility near Mercury NV, North of Vegas, and that he could make some calls. I passed - as I didn't want Dad's direct influence on my career, and knew to avoid TS programs. I should have taken him up on it (F-117)!

Hopefully some find this interesting....

SGE