News
UK
Spitfire war hero dies aged 94
On Wed Feb 28, 2007 01:00 PM
The man who flew more Spitfires in World War Two than any other pilot has died at the age of 94.
The name of Alex Henshall is synonomous with the Spitfire and its crucial role in helping to defeat the Luftwaffe and win the Battle of Britain.
Spitfire war hero and legend of aviation dies aged 94
28th February 2007
The man who flew more Spitfires in World War Two than any other pilot has died at the age of 94.
The name of Alex Henshall is synonomous with the Spitfire and its crucial role in helping to defeat the Luftwaffe and win the Battle of Britain.
He was chief test pilot at the Supermarine factory in Castle Bromwich and flew an estimated 3,000 Spitfires in his career.
But he also set a number of astonishing flying records in the pioneering days of aviation.
At the age of 25 he won the King's Cup air race and in 1939 flew solo to Cape Town and back in a tiny Mew Gull plane setting a time and speed record that still stands today.
He also flew Wellington and Lancaster bombers and such was his experience and knowledge that the RAF Museum at Hendon is currently setting up a special archive to mark his achievements.
A curator was taken on especially for the task of collating all the flier's papers, photographs, paintings and logs - a task which is expected to take five year to complete.
Only last year the veteran flier piloted a Spitfire over the old Supermarine works at Southampton to mark the 70th anniversary of the first Spitfire taking to the air.
His co-pilot reported afterwards that Alex was as competent as ever at the controls - and could have landed the plane but for prohibitive insurance conditions.
Modest to the last the veteran pilot said: "It is really no different to operating a car."
Alex Henshaw died at the weeklend at the Suffolk home where he had lived for the last twenty years.
dailymail.co.uk
A great pilot.
Moderators: DuncaninFrance, Niner Delta
-
Niner Delta
- Global Moderator Sponsor 2011-2017
- Posts: 4874
- Joined: Fri Apr 09, 2004 10:51 pm
- Location: Sequim, WA
A great pilot.
Peace is that brief, quiet moment in history.......... when everybody stands around reloading.
-
Karl/Pa.
- Leading Member
- Posts: 3919
- Joined: Sun Jun 26, 2005 9:34 pm
- Location: South-Central Pennsylvania
I read elsewhere that he more than once flew Spitfires inverted just over rooftops. Also, he is credited with being the only person ever to loop a Lancaster.
He was considered such a vital war asset as a test pilot that he was forbidden to fly in combat.
He was considered such a vital war asset as a test pilot that he was forbidden to fly in combat.
Karl
Medicare Life Member
Ban grated cheese. Make America grate again.
Medicare Life Member
Ban grated cheese. Make America grate again.
-
joseyclosey
- Moderator
- Posts: 3916
- Joined: Mon Oct 06, 2003 2:48 pm
- Location: UK
Sad news indeed 
Mr. Henshaw`s record breaking Percival Mew Gull is still flying to this day, a fitting tribute to him, i think, is this photograph....
http://nl.airliners.net/photos/middle/9/6/7/0286769.jpg[/pic]
Mr. Henshaw`s record breaking Percival Mew Gull is still flying to this day, a fitting tribute to him, i think, is this photograph....
