In the early 1950s, the Douglas Aircraft Company in Santa Monica, California, was not just a hub for conventional aircraft manufacturing. It was also the home of a top-secret "Think Tank" that was involved in some of the most futuristic and covert projects of its time. This hidden world of advanced design, space exploration, and defense technologies is vividly brought to life through the experiences of William Tompkins, a young draftsman who found himself at the center of this enigmatic division.
A Day in the Life of William Tompkins
Imagine starting your day with a walk through sunny Santa Monica, passing by bikini-clad dreamers on the beach, only to end up in the midst of high-stakes discussions about interstellar missions and defense strategies against potential extraterrestrial threats. This was the daily reality for William Tompkins, who was thrust into the heart of the Advanced Design division at Douglas Aircraft Company.
Despite his modest background and the overwhelming nature of his tasks, Tompkins was acutely aware of the significance of the work being done. He was tasked with figuring out complex problems related to space travel, from maneuvering vehicles in a vacuum to establishing moon bases, all within the confines of a highly classified environment.
The Mysterious Encounter at Sea
While Tompkins and his colleagues were grappling with these challenges, Admiral Steve "Mac" McDonley had his own extraordinary encounter. In the South China Sea, Admiral McDonley and his crew witnessed a massive cylindrical UFO hovering above their aircraft carrier, the USS Coral Sea. This 8,000-foot-long object emitted a brilliant light that engulfed the entire fleet, leaving the crew both awestruck and questioning the nature of their mission.
Inside the Think Tank
Back at Douglas Aircraft, Tompkins' first days in the Advanced Design division were marked by a sense of mystery and intense security. He was given tasks without much context, expected to develop methods for transporting heavy equipment between caverns and stabilizing malfunctioning rocket stages. These assignments hinted at the larger, more secretive projects at play, involving advanced propulsion systems and space defense technologies.
Innovations and Conflicts
Meetings within the Think Tank often turned contentious, especially with the presence of corporate representative Vince Edelson. Edelson's skepticism clashed with the visionary ideas of the design team, leading to heated debates. Despite this, Tompkins and his colleagues, including key figures like Dr. Klemperer and Dr. Sorenson, pressed on with their innovative designs for naval spacecraft carriers.
One of the standout concepts was configuration 'T,' a 1.5-kilometer-long spacecraft carrier designed to travel at speeds up to three times the speed of light. Equipped with electromagnetic shields, this carrier could protect against meteor showers and extraterrestrial light ray attacks, showcasing the advanced thinking and technical prowess of the team.
Strategic Importance and High-Level Support
The projects undertaken by the Think Tank were of immense strategic importance, garnering support from high-level Navy and intelligence officials. Figures like Bobby Ray Inman, known for his expertise in UFO-related matters, played crucial roles in securing funding and resources for these initiatives. This high-level backing underscored the broader implications of early detection systems and defensive measures against extraterrestrial threats.
Expanding Horizons: Undersea and Underground Facilities
The Think Tank's work extended beyond space exploration. Tompkins described efforts to develop undersea and underground reconnaissance facilities aimed at monitoring potential extraterrestrial bases on Earth. These facilities required cutting-edge technology and reflected the Navy's comprehensive approach to national and planetary defense.
The Bigger Picture
Throughout his narrative, Tompkins hints at a broader, more speculative element – the possibility that their work was influenced by extraterrestrial beings. This intriguing aspect adds a layer of mystery and invites readers to consider the potential external influences shaping our understanding of space defense and exploration.
Conclusion
William Tompkins' experiences provide a fascinating glimpse into the hidden world of advanced design at Douglas Aircraft Company. The combination of innovative designs, high-stakes meetings, and strategic planning against a backdrop of potential extraterrestrial threats paints a vivid picture of this secretive era. Whether viewed through the lens of speculative fiction or hidden truth, Tompkins' story challenges us to rethink our understanding of space exploration and the efforts to protect our planet from unknown dangers.