with NASA, managing Saturn and Apollo programs. In 1968, Johnston left Boeing to manage Tex Johnston, Inc., Total-In-Flight-Simulator Inc., and Aero Spacelines, the latter handling the manufacture and certification of an outsized cargo airplane known as the Pregnant Guppy. In 1975, Johnston rejoined his old boss, Robert Stanley, and became chief pilot at Stanley Aviation, focusing on personnel escape systems (ejection seats). In 1991, Johnston wrote his memoir, Tex Johnston: Jet Age Test Pilot, with writer Charles Barton. Death and honors Johnston died of Alzheimer's disease in 1998 at a nursing home in Mount Vernon, Washington. Johnston was inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame in 1993. Johnston's cowboy style of dress and maverick behavior is said to have inspired the creation of B-52 pilot Maj. T.J. "King" Kong, portrayed by Slim Pickens in the movie Dr. Strangelove. References External links Aviation Explorer - Barrel Roll National Aviation Hall of Fame - Tex Johnston Encyclopedia of Washington State History - Tex Johnston 1914 births 1998 deaths American test pilots Aviators from Kansas Boeing people Boeing test pilots National Aviation Hall of Fame inductees People from Lyon County, Kansas American aviation record holders