Philip Lucas
Philip Lucas GM (1902–1981) was an English aviator and test pilot who was awarded the George Medal for his courage and skill landing a damaged Hawker Typhoon prototype.[1]
Philip Lucas | |
|---|---|
| Born | Philip Gadesden Lucas 3 September 1902 Bexleyheath, Kent, England |
| Died | 18 December 1981 (aged 79) Crawley, Sussex, England |
| Nationality | United Kingdom |
| Occupation | Test Pilot |
| Years active | 1926-1967 |
| Awards | George Medal |
Philip Gadesden Lucas was born on 3 September 1902 at Bexleyheath, Kent and was educated at Epsom College before starting an apprenticeship with Vickers.[1] He joined the Royal Air Force in 1926 and by 1931 had joined Hawker Aircraft as a test pilot.[1] In 1939 he became Hawker's Chief Experimental Test Pilot operating from Brooklands in Surrey and Langley in Buckinghamshire.[1] He flew the Hawker Hurricane, Hawker Typhoon and Hawker Tempest straight from the production line and for development flying.[1]
In 1941 Lucas was flying a Hawker Typhoon prototype that he managed to land safely after it suffered a structural failure during flight. For his courage and skill he was awarded the George Medal:
Test Pilot Lucas displayed great courage and presence of mind during a test flight and, by his skill and coolness, saved an aircraft from destruction.
— London Gazette[2]
Lucas retired from test flying in 1946 and became general manager of Hawker Aircraft, which by the time he retired in 1967 had become Hawker Siddeley Aviation.[1] He died in Crawley, West Sussex on 18 December 1981, aged 79.
References
- Mr Philip Lucas." Times [London, England] 5 Jan. 1982: 10. The Times Digital Archive. Web. 18 Mar. 2012.
- "No. 35156". The London Gazette (Supplement). 6 May 1941. p. 2643.
Further reading
- "Britain's Test Pilots no.6 Philip Lucas". Flight. Vol. LXIX no. 1948. 25 April 1946. pp. 416–7.