McDonnell Aircraft Corporation
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Aerospace, Defense |
| Predecessor | J.S. McDonnell & Associates |
| Founded | July 6, 1939 in St. Louis, Missouri, United States |
| Founder | James Smith McDonnell |
| Defunct | April 28, 1967 |
| Fate | Merged with Douglas Aircraft Company to form McDonnell Douglas |
| Successor | McDonnell Douglas |
| Headquarters | St. Louis , United States |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people | James Smith McDonnell (Founder, Chairman and CEO), David S. Lewis (President and COO) |
| Products | Military fighter aircraft, manned spacecraft, missiles, helicopters, aerospace systems |
Number of employees | ~5,000 (circa World War II) (1945) |
The McDonnell Aircraft Corporation was a prominent United States aerospace manufacturer headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri. Established on July 6, 1939, by James Smith McDonnell, the company gained recognition for its military fighter jets such as the F-4 Phantom II, as well as manned spacecraft like the Mercury capsule and Gemini capsule. In 1967, McDonnell Aircraft combined with the Douglas Aircraft Company, resulting in the creation of McDonnell Douglas.
History
James McDonnell originally launched J.S. McDonnell & Associates in 1928 with the goal of manufacturing small airplanes; however, the Great Depression caused the enterprise to fail. After a tenure at Glenn L. Martin Company, he founded McDonnell Aircraft Corporation in 1939, situating it in St. Louis. The outbreak of World War II significantly expanded the workforce from just 15 to approximately 5,000 employees by the war’s conclusion. The firm concentrated on producing aircraft components and developed projects such as the XP-67 Bat fighter prototype and the LBD-1 Gargoyle guided missile. Following the war, reductions in defense spending severely impacted the company until military demand surged again during the Korean War.
By 1943, McDonnell had ventured into jet aircraft development, securing a Navy contract that produced the successful FH-1 Phantom. This model featured a unique engine configuration that was subsequently utilized in later aircraft including the F2H Banshee, F3H Demon, and F-101 Voodoo. In 1946, aerodynamics expert David S. Lewis joined McDonnell and spearheaded the design of the legendary F-4 Phantom II beginning in 1954; this aircraft entered operational service in 1960. Lewis advanced to Executive Vice President in 1958 and assumed the roles of President and COO by 1962.
The company broadened its portfolio into missile systems with projects like the innovative Gargoyle and ADM-20 Quail. Concurrently, hypersonic research efforts secured vital NASA contracts supporting the Mercury and Gemini space missions. The success of the Mercury capsule inspired a new corporate emblem depicting a capsule orbiting Earth accompanied by the slogan "First Free Man in Space." Despite its status as a significant employer, McDonnell’s absence from civilian markets left it exposed to downturns during peacetime defense budget cuts.
At the same time, Douglas Aircraft confronted financial difficulties and production setbacks. Discussions about merging began in 1963 as both firms recognized complementary strengths: Douglas’ commercial aircraft lineup could provide stability to McDonnell’s defense-reliant revenue stream, while McDonnell’s military contracts would help shore up Douglas’ financial position. Douglas accepted an acquisition proposal from McDonnell in December 1966; their merger was completed on April 28, 1967, establishing the McDonnell Douglas Corporation (MDC). Leadership was dominated by McDonnell executives, with James McDonnell serving as chairman and CEO. To bolster Douglas’ financial health, McDonnell immediately acquired 1.5 million shares of Douglas stock following the merger announcement. David Lewis took on chairmanship of Douglas Aircraft Division before returning to lead McDonnell Douglas as president in 1969.
Later on, McDonnell Douglas merged with Boeing in August 1997. Boeing’s defense and space division incorporated former Rockwell assets acquired in 1986 and operates out of what was once McDonnell’s St. Louis facility, concentrating on defense and aerospace products and services. Notable legacy programs from McDonnell Douglas include the F-15 Eagle, AV-8B Harrier II, F/A-18 Hornet, and F/A-18E/F Super Hornet.
Aircraft
| Model designation | Maiden flight | Quantity produced | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| McDonnell XP-67 | 1944 | 1 | Prototype twin piston-engine interceptor fighter |
| McDonnell FH Phantom | 1945 | 62 | Twin jet-engine fighter aircraft |
| McDonnell XHJH-1 Whirlaway | 1946 | 1 | Twin piston-engine helicopter prototype |
| McDonnell F2H Banshee | 1947 | 895 | Twin jet-engine fighter plane |
| McDonnell XH-20 Little Henry | 1947 | 2 | Prototype light helicopter with twin ramjet engines |
| McDonnell XF-85 Goblin | 1948 | 2 | Prototype single jet-engine parasite fighter |
| McDonnell XF-88 Voodoo | 1948 | 2 | Prototype twin jet-engine fighter aircraft |
| McDonnell F3H Demon | 1951 | 519 | Single jet-engine fighter aircraft |
| McDonnell XV-1 | 1954 | 2 | Experimental compound gyroplane with single piston engine |
| McDonnell F-101 Voodoo | 1954 | 807 | Twin jet-engine fighter aircraft |
| McDonnell 120 | 1957 | 2 | Experimental light helicopter powered by three ramjets |
| McDonnell F-4 Phantom II | 1958 | 5,195 | Twin jet-engine fighter (including McDonnell Douglas and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries manufacture) |
| McDonnell 119 (later renamed McDonnell 220) | 1959 | 1 | Prototype business jet with four engines |
Manned spacecraft
- Capsule from Project Mercury
- Capsule from Project Gemini
- ASSET (spaceplane)
Missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles
- ADM-20 Quail
- LBD Gargoyle
- Target drone McDonnell TD2D Katydid, introduced in 1942
Aircraft propulsion systems
- Pulsejet engine model PJ42
Notable projects
- McDonnell HRH, transport compound gyroplane with two engines for US Marine Corps, developed in 1950
- McDonnell HCH, heavy-lift helicopter designed for US Navy, dated to 1952
- McDonnell 188, proposed four-engine STOL transport, licensed production of Bréguet 941 suggested in 1961
Presidents
- James Smith McDonnell Jr., tenure from 1939 to 1962
- David Sloan Lewis Jr., served from 1962 to 1967
Board Chairmen
- James Smith McDonnell Jr., held position from 1962 until 1967
Bibliography
- Francillon, René J. McDonnell Douglas Aircraft since 1920. London: Putnam, 1979. .
External links
- McDonnell Aircraft history from 1939 to 1945 (archived)
- McDonnell Aircraft history from 1946 to 1956 (archived)
- McDonnell Aircraft history from 1957 to 1967 (archived)
- McDonnell Gemini Space Program between 1963 and 1966 (archived)
- Complete list of McDonnell model numbers through the year 1974 (PDF)
- M.A.C. Weekly Bulletin – Digital Collections of The Museum of Flight
- McDonnell Aircraft Corporation
- Defunct aircraft manufacturers of the United States
- Defunct helicopter manufacturers of the United States
- McDonnell Douglas mergers and acquisitions
- American companies established in 1939
- Manufacturing companies established in 1939
- Manufacturing companies disestablished in 1967
- 1939 establishments in Missouri
- 1967 mergers and acquisitions
- 1967 disestablishments in Missouri
- Technology companies disestablished in 1967
- Technology companies established in 1939
- Defunct manufacturing companies based in Missouri
- Companies formerly listed on the New York Stock Exchange