Chronology of Test Pilots

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