Ben Kelsey | |
|---|---|
 Ben Kelsey exits a Curtiss P-36A after a flight test in early 1938 at Wright Field. | |
| Nickname(s) | "Ben" |
| Born | March 9, 1906 Waterbury, Connecticut, U.S. |
| Died | March 3, 1981 (aged 74) Stevensburg, Virginia, U.S. |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Service |  US Army Air Corps US Army Air Forces United States Air Force |
| Years of service | 1929–1955 |
| Rank |  Brigadier General (temporary) |
| Awards | Distinguished Service Medal Distinguished Flying Cross Legion of Merit Air Medal French Croix de Guerre Belgian Croix de guerre Octave Chanute Award |
Benjamin Scovill Kelsey (March 9, 1906 – March 3, 1981) was an American aeronautical engineer and test pilot. Serving as America's chief fighter projects officer, he helped bring success in World War II to the United States Army Air Forces by initiating the manufacture of innovative fighter aircraft designs, and by working to quickly increase American fighter production to meet the needs of the coming war.
Kelsey co-authored the technical specifications which led to the development of the P-39 Airacobra and the P-38 Lightning. He worked around Air Corps strictures to initiate the development of drop tanks for American fighters. Kelsey was the driving force behind a program of advanced airfoil research which eventually resulted in the P-51 Mustang.
After the war, Kelsey served in various staff assignments supervising weather operations, personnel and materiel. He was an important committee member of the group that approved and funded the rocket-powered North American X-15.