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Wall of Honor Level:
Air and Space Friend

Honored by:

George Thomas Foster started his aerospace career as an aircraft metalsmith in World War II and continued to become a Senior Research Engineer developing welding and fabrication methods for advanced research aircraft and rockets into the early 1970s. As with many individuals in the Cold War aerospace industry, his employment involved a multitude of projects as government contracts came and went. This was the norm, rather than the exception, in the aerospace industry.

After working in a welding shop as a journeyman metalsmith for several years, George joined the Navy as an Aviation Metalsmith 2/c (COG) from 1944 to 1946. After completing his military service, the GI Bill helped him to attend Tufts University where he graduated as a Mechanical Engineer specializing in welding processes and fabrication.

In 1958 he was a Senior Research Engineer at North American Aviation Company in Los Angeles, California developing fusion welding processes and specifications to be used on the X-15 rocket plane, F-108 "Rapier" and B-70 "Valkyrie" aircraft.

In 1959, as the Section Head for Fusion Welding at Aerojet-General Corporation in Downey, California, he helped develop procedures and processes for welding Minuteman and Polaris engine cases. He was also engaged in the development of processes for welding titanium high-pressure gas containers and plasma-sprayed fabrication of rocket nozzles.

As a Senior Tool Engineer at Douglas Aircraft Company's Santa Monica California facility in 1960, George worked on welded fabrication and production techniques for blast shields and transporters for Nike Hercules Missiles using "T-l" steels and MIG welding. This work extended to application on the Nike Zeus and Saturn S-4 missiles.

Through the early 1960s, while again at North American Aviation, George was a Senior Research Engineer in the Welding Material and Process Group. Research focused on fusion and resistance welding of stainless steel honeycomb sandwich structure and the effects of residual fabrication stresses in the completed structure of the B-70 "Valkyrie" strategic bomber.

As a Senior Research Engineer in the Manufacturing and Development Group at the Boeing Airplane Company in Seattle, Washington, during the late 1960s and early 1970s, George was responsible for developing new and improved manufacturing methods for welded and brazed aircraft assemblies, particularly as related to the Super Sonic Transport (SST) program.

His interest in aviation continued through retirement by becoming a Private Pilot, owning his own aircraft, being actively involved in two Experimental Aircraft Association chapters and assisting in construction and restoration of home built and vintage aircraft. His wealth of knowledge in welding fabrication and processes has been generously shared with many others.

In the year 2002, George T. Foster Jr., Dudley B. Foster, and Wesley P. Foster submitted this profile in honored recognition of their father's life long achievements and contributions to the aerospace industry.