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, CTP Follands – later Dunsfold Communication’s Pilot
- Neville Duke 1951 – 1956
- Bill Bedford 1956 – 1967
- Mike Oliver, CTP Follands – 1966
- 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:
- Don Riches 1968-1980
- Barrie Tonkinson 1969-1973
- 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 Follands.
- Chris Darwin, FAA Phantoms, Dunsfold 1980’s
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