Duncan Simpson’s name will be forever linked to the Hawker Siddeley Harrier, the vertical and short take off and landing (V/STOL) ground attack aircraft.  A former RAF fighter pilot he was involved in testing the Hawker Hunter before joining the V/STOL programme in  its earliest days when he flew the P.1127 and then the Kestrel.  Later, as the chief test pilot, he shepherded the Hawk advanced training aircraft from the drawing board, made its first flight and saw it into service. It has been the mount of the RAF’s Red Arrows and continues to be in RAF service after 40 years.  He was awarded the OBE and many other prestigious awards for his services as a test pilot.

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