This Day in McDonnell Voodoo History: February 5th

In 1958, the VooDoo fleet experienced the first of several groundings due to leaks in the fuel and hydraulic systems, leading to a number of catastrophic failures, collapsed landing gear, and in-flight fires.  In this instance, the F-101 was grounded for inspection and repair of “Marman clamps” connecting fuel lines to the main tanks.  One of the founders of the Marman Corporation in the mid-1940s was engineer Herbert M. Marx, known to millions as the “fourth” of the famous Marx Brothers, “Zeppo” Marx, who usually played both the straight man and romantic lead in many of their films.  After leaving the silver screen behind to pursue a career as an engineer, he became a successful inventor and his Marman Clamps are still widely used to this day.