Warbird Information Exchange

I was just informed that Frank Compton passed away.


Frank Compton, 90, passed away January 15, 2011 in Torrance, CA. Frank was born on March 25, 1920 in Denver, Colorado and lived for the last 36 years in Torrance. Frank served his country in the U.S. Navy during WWII and worked at Northrop and North American Aviation as an aerospace engineer and executive for 45 years. Frank is survived by his sons, Frank Compton (Karen) of Torrance, CA, Jeff Compton (Libby) of Castle Rock, CO; daughters, Linda Compton of Santa Fe, NM, Terry Goodchild of Reno, NV; grandson, Dylan Compton of Castle Rock, CO; granddaughters, Noelle Compton and Danielle Compton, both of Castle Rock, CO; and grandson, James Throckmorton of Reno, NV. Frank was preceded in death by his mother, Ethelyn Compton, father Finis Compton and granddaughter, Anne Throckmorton. Memorial service will take place on Saturday, January 22, 2011 at 12:00 noon at the Western Museum of Flight, 3315 Airport Dr., Torrance, CA 90505. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Western Museum of Flight.

From the Daily Breeze

_________________
Expert:
Ex: Former.
Spurt: A drip under pressure.

He designed the Fury, right?

_________________
S.

...and head of design team for the A-5 Vigilante.

_________________
It was a good idea, it just didn't work.

Frank Compton was a big cheese at North American Aviation (you remember them, they built more aircraft in WWII than anyone else). Frank was also very active in the WARBIRD community owning many aircraft including a T-28, and a beautiful NA-50. He was also active in many WARBIRD orgs. including NATA, EAA and the Western Museum of Flight (they have Warbirds too).

P.S. I believe he was a NAVAL aviator also, that kind of makes him the real deal.

_________________
Expert:
Ex: Former.
Spurt: A drip under pressure.

Frank most certainly IS the real deal.

There was a beautiful ceremony for "Mr. North American" yesterday at the Torrance Airport. The who's who from North American Aviation was in attendance (as well as many other famous aviation company exectutives and aviators) Frank's "Super T-6" was right up in front were people got up to say a few words about Frank. The event was capped off by a flyby and "missing man" in rememberance of Frank by the Condor Squadron. Frank made a HUGE impact on the aviation community and will be missed. Frank was 90 years old and had a great life but it still dosn't make it any easier to say goodby to friends.

Did he have an SNJ-2? I think he bought a print from me of it that I took at my first Oshkosh, in 1978. I think this was he.

Rest in peace, Mr. Compton...

Rich

_________________
Rich Kolasa
www.crystalgraphix.com

i wonder if frank compton knew my grandfather. he was the machine shop supervisor at the autonetics division of NAA in anaheim for 30 years post ww2. that would be really cool if they did.