Al Schwimmer

Al Schwimmer
אל שווימר
Schwimmer in 1955
Born(1917-06-10)June 10, 1917
New York City, U.S.
DiedJune 10, 2011(2011-06-10) (aged 94)
Ramat Gan, Israel
Citizenship
  • United States
  • Israel
OccupationsAerospace engineer, aerospace executive
Known forFounder of Israel Aerospace Industries (formerly Bedek Aviation Company)
SpouseRina Schwimmer
Children2
AwardsIsrael Prize (2006)

Adolph William Schwimmer (Hebrew: אל שווימר; June 10, 1917 – June 10, 2011) was an American-born Israeli arms trafficker, aerospace engineer, and businessman. After serving as an engineer in the Army Air Transport Command during World War II, he provided crucial, support to what would become the Israeli Air Force by smuggling American warplanes to Israel during its war of independence. After immigrating to Israel in 1951, he founded and became the first CEO of Israel Aerospace Industries.