Dunsfold was second home to a lot of people in the last 70 years. We hope to build a record of just some of those people that are a significant part of the history of the aerodrome. We will be adding more information over the coming months – additional information and corrections most welcome.
Dunsfold Chief Test Pilots in chronological order:
- Wimpy Wade CTP on move to Dunsfold – 1951
- Dick Whittington, Follands CTP – later Dunsfold Communication’s Pilot
- Neville Duke 1951 – 1956
- Bill Bedford 1956 – 1967
- Hugh Merewether 1967 – 1970
- Duncan Simpson 1970 – 1978
- John Farley 1978 – 1983
- Andy Jones 1983 – 1985
- Mike Snelling 1985 -1988
- Heinz Frick 1988 – 1990
- Graham Tomlinson 1993 – ?
- Chris Roberts – dates inc CTP ?
Dunsfold Test Pilots in chronological order:
- Mike Oliver,
- Jim Hawkins DCTP, French TP School July 1986
- Taylor Scott DCTP FAA October 1987
- Paul Hopkins, Hawk 200 Project Pilot 1985 – 1988
- Simon Hargreaves,FAA FRS2 / FA2 1992 – 1996
- Mark Bowman 1998
- Rod Frederiksen, Falklands Ace TP Late 80’s-early 90’s
- Steve Thomas, Falklands Ace TP 1992
- Jim Ludford Early 1990’s
- Bernie Scot Early 1990’s
Production Test pilots:
- Frank Bullen, WWII Spitfires &Mustangs,TP 49 – 60 ( Prod CTP 1955 – 1960 ) Later local Councillor.
- Frank Murphy OBE, WWII Hurricanes,Typhoons, Tempests, TP 1944 – 1955 ( inc Hunter crash at Ford )
- David Lockspeiser 1955 – ? ( inc LDA-1 Boxer 1971 – 1987 )
Comms Pilots:
- Mike Oliver,
- Dick Whittington, WWII fighters, Test Pilot inc CTP Gnats.
- Chris Darwin, FAA Phantoms, Dunsfold 1980’s
Other test pilots include: Don Riches, Tony Hawkes and Dave Young ….
LS
I’m searching for w/c L. A. Lynn, DFC, DSO, his career. I know him through my study for 320 Dutch Squadron. He flew with my ancestor “Cees Waardenburg”.
For 320 and 180 Squadron. After the crash of Lt. Cees Waardenburg, DFC, on 30 August 1944, with the Michell FW268-EV-O, I lost track with Commander Lynn.
I hope you have for me information about his movements (life) after the mentioned crash.
Thank you in advance.
(Sorry for my simpele school english) I’m Dutch and not experienced to use the english language.
Wim van Kamperdijk
Also missing RV (Fred) Frederiksen, AMRAAM integration and live firing trials Harrier FRS.2 (FA.2) for which he received Queen’s Commendation for Valuable Service in the Air 1994. Also Harrier & Sea Harrier production test flying and delivery flights (Sea Harrier to India, Hawks to Malaysia).
I agree, sorry if I missed out Rod Fred as we knew him, a great character known for a pause before replying to radio calls while he had a puff on a fag ! Sadly that’s what got him while the Argenentinians couldn’t, he was a Falklands Ace and instrumental in the development of the Mid-Life Update FRS2 / FA2 Sea Harrier.