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Former aerospace chief Sanford McDonnell passes away

Former aerospace chief Sanford McDonnell passes away

TRIBUTES have been paid to the former aerospace chief Sanford McDonnell who has passed away in the United States. He was 89.

During his career Sandy McDonnell had worked on America’s development of the first atomic bomb, helped develop fighter planes and was a senior executive of the company which built the Skylab space station.

His involvement in the Manhattan Project, which built the first atomic bomb, was as an engineer in the army during World War II. After the War he went to work for his uncle, James McDonnell, who founded what was to become the McDonnell Douglas Company.

Sandy McDonnell rose from a lowly position in the aerospace company to succeed his uncle as chairman.

During his time with the company, Mr. McDonnell had helped develop some of the firm’s most successful fighter planes, including the F-4 Phantom II.

He also helped restructure the McDonnell Douglas management set-up and returned the company’s commercial airline division to profit. 

It was during his time as chief executive that the company built the Skylab space station in 1973.

Away from his business world, Mr. McDonnell had a life-long involvement with the Boy Scouts, serving as National Chairman of the movement in America during the 1980s.

To view a tribute to Mr. Sanford McDonnell, click here.

 

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