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Bill Humble
Pre-World War II aviator / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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William Humble MBE (14 April 1911 – 1 March 1992) was a well-known pre-Second World War aviator, known as an air racer and for his aerobatic displays. He was also an officer in the Royal Air Force Special Reserve, and the Auxiliary Air Force.
William Humble | |
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![]() Humble flying a Hawker Tempest Mk V | |
Born | (1911-04-14)14 April 1911 Doncaster, Yorkshire, England |
Died | 1 March 1992(1992-03-01) (aged 80) Hampshire, England |
Allegiance | ![]() |
Service/ | ![]() |
Years of service | 1929–c. 1937 |
Rank | Flying Officer |
Unit | No. 504 (City of Nottingham) Squadron No. 609 (West Riding) (Bomber) Squadron |
Awards | Member of the Order of the British Empire |
Relations | Kate Humble (granddaughter) |
Other work | Test pilot and sales executive for Hawker Siddeley |
Although he qualified as a mining engineer the lure of flying proved too strong, and he did not enter the family mining company. During the war he became an important test pilot for aircraft manufacturer Hawker Siddeley. Having tested some of the early jet aircraft, he retired from test flying in 1948, becoming a sales executive for Hawker. He is the grandfather of British television presenter Kate Humble.