Interview Summary World War II veteran James “Jim” Marich is interviewed about his service as a flight engineer aboard the Boeing B-29 Superfortress. He discusses his wartime experiences with the 869th Bombardment Squadron of the 497th Bombardment Group, U.S. Army Air Forces, while stationed in Saipan (Northern Mariana Islands) during 1944 and 1945. He also touches briefly on his post-war engineering career with the Sundstrand Corporation (Illinois). Topics discussed include his training and service history,...

Summary [From transcript] In this first interview (part 1 of 3), John speaks of his early life and education and his time in the United States Navy. After the Navy, he spent a year with the Douglas Aircraft Company, then returned to school to pursue a degree in aeronautical engineering. He spent the rest of his aviation career with Boeing, where he worked on various development projects. He participated in the design of many innovations in the industry, such as Vortex Generators and the Refueling...

Summary [From transcript] In this second interview (part 2 of 3), John talks about his recollections of the Pearl Harbor attack and of the German achievements in aeronautical engineering. He also discusses his time at Boeing and the role he played in many of Boeing's major aircraft products: the 707, 720, 727, SST, and the 747. Table of Contents: Introduction -- Memories of December 7, 1941 -- Germans ahead in aeronautical engineering -- Boeing 707-320 wing -- Boeing 720 -- Boeing 727 --...

Summary

Table of Contents: Participation in the 757 Project -- The T-Tail issue -- Fix a noisy cockpit -- A different forward body needed -- Weight is always an issue -- A great team -- A big engine problem -- Engine must be quiet -- Stretch the 757? -- The continuing development of the 737 -- What does the future hold for aviation? -- Retirement & Boeing layoffs.