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Wall of Honor Level:
Air and Space Friend

Honored by:
Mr. Frank A. De Ganahl

Charles F. de Ganahl prepared for his career in the aerospace industry at Kent Boys School and Yale University-B.E.-Civil/Aero Engineering. After serving in the Army Air Corps as a photo interpreter for the Ninth Air Force in England and Europe during World War Two, he was employed by Chance-Vought in Stratford, Connecticut and Dallas, Texas, working on Naval fighter aircraft design. Transferring to United Aircraft Research Laboratories in East Hartford, Connecticut, his projects included researching the economies of the turbo-prop versus turbo-jet engines and working with Pratt and Whitney in the Connecticut Aircraft Nuclear Engine Laboratory. Moving to Hamilton-Standard's Corporate Systems Center in Farmington, Connecticut, he helped design ballistic missile guidance systems, rocket booster and space suit systems for the Apollo program, a light-weight, low-draft, gas-turbine powered riverine warfare boat (built by Sikorsky,) and United Aircraft's gas-turbine powered passenger train. Returning to United Aircraft Research Laboratories, he continued guided missile research as the program manager of the ALVRJ (Airborne Low-Volume Ramjet) project with Ling Temco Vought. Mr. de Ganahl is now enjoying his retirement on Cape Cod, Massachusetts.