Benjamin S. Kelsey, Date of Birth, Place of Birth, Date of Death

Benjamin S. Kelsey

United States Air Force general and test pilot

Date of Birth: 09-Mar-1906

Place of Birth: Waterbury, Connecticut, United States

Date of Death: 03-Mar-1981

Profession: military officer, aircraft pilot, aerospace engineer

Nationality: United States

Zodiac Sign: Pisces

Benjamin Scovill Kelsey (March 9, 1906 – March 3, 1981) was an American aeronautical engineer and test pilot.
Serving as America's chief fighter projects officer, he helped bring success in World War II to the United States Army Air Forces by initiating the manufacture of innovative fighter aircraft designs, and by working to quickly increase American fighter production to meet the needs of the coming war. Kelsey co-authored the technical specifications which led to the development of the P-39 Airacobra and the P-38 Lightning.
He worked around Air Corps strictures to initiate the development of drop tanks for American fighters.
Kelsey was the driving force behind a program of advanced airfoil research which eventually resulted in the P-51 Mustang. After the war, Kelsey served in various staff assignments supervising weather operations, personnel and materiel.
He was an important committee member of the group that approved and funded the rocket-powered North American X-15.