Page 123 - MY STORY

ultimate tensile strength of the alloy in plane strain

fracture conditions.

When we reviewed the findings with Sid, he was ecstatic

since it confirmed his suspicions as the lone dissenter
from a group of failure analysis “experts.” He quickly
gathered up the failed parts, all of our photographs from

the electron microscope, and our written report.

We carefully pointed out to Sid that we had no stake in

this game, and preferred that he not mention Douglas
Aircraft as the source of this newfound knowledge. We

did not build the B-52 and we sure as heck did not want to
be identified with this activity in front the of failure
analysis staff at WPAFB, Dayton. Sid assured us that he
would be exceptionally discreet.

Scene 5 – 1 week after Sid B’s second visit

At my desk at Douglas Aircraft Co., the phone rang. I
recognized Howard Z’s voice on the other end as the
phone began to turn red hot in my hand. Howard began a

tirade that probably went on for five to ten minutes
accusing us of interfering in a closed failure investigation,
of being incompetent, probably many more accusations I

cannot remember (nor did I want to), and finally “what