Neville Duke - Fighter Ace and Test Pilot has left us

[kill_devil]

As a boy at my school in Mbeya, Tanganyika, I loved to read about the exploits of Battle of Britain pilots like Sailor Malan, Bob Stanford Tuck and Douglas Bader. But in my wildest imaginations I never thought I would ever cross their paths in real life.

But on April 7, the same day I flew my new Quik GT-450 into Popham airfield near Winchester, England, Neville Duke and his wife Gwen also landed there in their Grumman AA5B G-ZERO after he suddenly felt unwell. He then collapsed as he left the aircraft and died later that evening.

So passed away Squadron Leader Neville Frederick Duke OBE, DSO, DFC and two Bars, AFC, a British Second World War fighter pilot, the top Allied flying ace in the Mediterranean theatre, having shot down at least 27 enemy aircraft. He was shot down twice himself, once in North Africa by the high scoring German ace Otto Schulz, and again over Italy by flak, parachuting into Lake Bracciano. He was acknowledged to be one of the world's foremost test pilots after the war. In 1953, he became holder of the world air speed record when he flew a Hawker Hunter F Mk3 at 727.63 mph over Littlehampton in the UK.

May he touch the face of God.

[Big-D]

Remarkable man...


D

[Aerosan]

As D said- remarkable man......RIP

[Tailspin]

Although it is sad to hear of his passing it is still good to hear that he was still flying till the day of his death. Rest in peace Sir.

Condolences to the Family.