I'm sure I mentioned before that Dad (J.C. Smith) went to work at Douglas Aircraft when we moved to California in 1935. The Country was still working it's way out of the Depression and Dad hoped for better employement in the West. We had to make a move for Moms health as you recall, and it seemed like better prospects lay ahead all the way around.
Once Dad was hired, he took his tools and began to show just what kind of a worker he was. The Aircraft Industry was still pretty young then, and the future seemed bright with all the new planes that were needed for so many new jobs. The Airlines were not established then, neither was the Air Freight Industry. Everything was ahead, and with young men coming from their college classes eager to design and build new and better "flying machines", well it was down right encouraging. So many men with big ideas, and little ability to put their paper models into workable fact, it took guys like Dad to build the tools, equipment and models to give them flight.
Dad quickly earned the respect of those around him. He had a great mind, and would take an idea and work it out in his head then go to the work bench, and come up with something that would work. Not that he could do it right at first, but when he got a hold on an idea, he wouldn't let go until he had solved all the problems he would come up against. It didn't take long for those who were more educated to find out that "Captain John" (a nick name he picked up from being
John Smith), could help. He worked with every kind of airplane that came along. He worked on the line, as Leadman, Class A Machinist and finally a Model Maker. In fact he went back East to the large Wind Tunnel to test the Models he had help build. He was working on the Moon Rocket when he was killed. I guess you could say he saw the developement of man in flight from the early stages brought about by World War II to the first attempts at Space Travel. I guess the height of the respect held for Dad was shown at his funeral by those who had worked with him.
It was sometime during the mass building and developement that was going on during World War II that Howard Hughes was working on what was to become the greatest "fighter" plane used for the War. It wasn't a product of Douglas Aircraft, it was being built over at Locheed. No
matter how hard the men over there tried, they could not keep the propeller from breaking under the stress on the plane. Every possible change was tried, nothing worked, and things were pretty bleek. During one of the meetings to go over the designs again Captain John was mentioned. Howard Hughes asked if he was in the plant. Of course he wasn't. Howard asked for him to be brought, or at least contacted so that he could talk to him.
Sometime later Dad was asked if he could meet with Howard Hughes - the newest genius in the development of fast persuit planes, and other things. A meeting was set up and one evening after work Captain John met with Howard Huges and looked over the plane, he had been hearing so much about. They went over the blue prints, then the Model and finally the Prop that was giving them so much trouble. Dad agreed to take a better look on his own time and get back to them in a few days. Once Dad had a hold of the idea, he worked on his own time at his work bench and with a great deal of effort came up with the solution to the problem. I am not at all versed in the final outcome except to say, Dad told me it was the "pitch" of the prop that was
the problem. He made a "jig" and built a new prop with the changes he felt would solve all the stress problems they were having. Without a prop that would work, the plane, not matter how
good, would never be of use.
When the prop Dad made was put on the model then tested - the plane flew and the prop was sturdy and filled every expectation. Of course Howard Hughes was delighted and express that
to Dad. He further told him there would be a reward for his help and acknowledgement for his part in bringing the plane forward for use by the Army Air Corp. The only problem was Howard Hughes had an ego that would not allow anyone to share the glory. I don't think Dad ever heard a word from him after that. The only comment I ever heard Dad make on the subject was
something to the effect: "education from books never really made a man, and climbing on someone elses shoulders to achieve things wasn't any better."
Howard Hughes might have made millions, and have claimed greatness for many things but I am one person to question just how much of what he is credited with was really HIS original and final products; or could it be possible they were someone elses, who was asked for support, help or talent to solve something Howard Hughes didn't have a clue about! They have given him a great deal of credit, written books and made movies about him, but it has not excaped me he ended up as a recluse living in a self imposed exile alone without friends or family.
Written this 13th day of May 2009
by: Eileen Rosenberg
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