Robert J. Helberg

Robert J. Helberg (1906 – 1967) was an American aeronautical engineer. He was born in Watonga, Oklahoma. In 1932 he earned a degree in aeronautical engineering from the University of Washington. After graduation he went to work at the Goss Humidity Control Company in Seattle. Three years later he left to work for the Boeing company. Bob's first work at Boeing was on the early YB-17 model of the Flying Fortress. He followed this by work on the Mod... more

Robert J. Helberg (1906 – 1967) was an American aeronautical engineer. He was born in Watonga, Oklahoma. In 1932 he earned a degree in aeronautical engineering from the University of Washington. After graduation he went to work at the Goss Humidity Control Company in Seattle. Three years later he left to work for the Boeing company. Bob's first work at Boeing was on the early YB-17 model of the Flying Fortress. He followed this by work on the Model 307 transport, then on additional models of the B-17. In 1942 he became group engineer on the B-29's electrical systems. By 1946 he was senior group engineer, working on the C-97 Stratofreighter's electrical systems. In 1950 he received a promotion to project engineer on an experimental version of a pilotless B-47 Stratojet. (This program was designated Project Brass Ring.) Around 1955 he joined the Bomarc Missile Program, a pilotless interceptor. He worked on this program as assistant project engineer, focused on the guidance and data... less