On the Aviation Web ring this morning...I hear that RICHARD "Dick" WHITCOMB HAS PASSED...
My Boeing Wind tunnel friend....the late James Crowder introduced me to Dick Whitcomb in the late 70's when I was assigned to a Phantom Works model project study on "super critical wings" that was to take place in the Supersonic wind tunnel.
Jim Crowder...knowing that I was pretty involved with competition model airplanes...and knowing that his fellow NAA- Colliers throphy winnng friend was also...in his earlier life heavily involved in model airplane design and building was on site that night.
How fortunate for me that I was introduced to his fellow aero-engineering partner late that evening around 11:30 PM...locked away in that basement workshop just outside the SST chamber room while...trying our damnest' to make an early morning test scheduled run.
I didn't have a clue then that Jim's friend was the aerodynamical wizard "Rapid Richard" Whitcomb who was noted for his UNCANNY ABILITY "TO SEE AIR!!!"
I then later....I heard and saw many photos and stories about Dick from Joe Clark and Bernie Gratzer of Aviation Partners...who worked with Dick on a blended wing project with a Boeing Airplane as shown below
Here is a photo showing Dick with one of his models...
Heaven has gained a MASTER ANGEL who mere mortals actually thought that Richard could actually "SEE AIR!"
My deepest condolences to his family, his friends and fellow peers all over the world.
He truly made our world of flight...a better place.
His contributions to Flight are many.
http://www.nasa.gov/topics/people/features/richard_whitecomb.html