Saturday, December 15, 2007

Richard 'Dickie' G. Wheldon AFC 1917-1983

Richard Wheldon (right) with Gloster Test pilot, Geoff Worrall.
Photo by Charles E Brown, Copyright RAF Museum

Richard G. Wheldon AFC

R.G. Wheldon was commisioned in the RAF in 1936. He served with both Bomber and Maintenance Commands. In 1947 he joined Percival Aircraft Ltd as a Test Pilot,becoming Chief Test Pilot in 1950.
During is time with the company he has taken part in the development of the Prentice,Meganser,Prince,Provost and Jet Provost. He flew the maiden flights of the Percival Provost Mk1 and later, the Hunting Percival Jet Provost.

He demonstrated the Percival aircraft in 10 consecutive SBAC flying displays. He retired from Percival in 1957 for health reasons.