Duncan Simpson

Duncan Menzies Soutar Simpson OBE FRAeS FIMechE (23 December 1927 - 5 December 2017)[1] was a Scottish test pilot who played a key role in the development of the Hunter aircraft, the Harrier, and the Hawk advanced trainer flown by the RAF’s Red Arrows.

In 1949 he joined the Royal Air Force with 6FTS and 226 OCU, and flew the Gloster Meteor VIII with 222 Squadron.

On 24 April 1969[3] he was the first to fly the two-seat Harrier XW174; six weeks later on 4 June 1969 in this aircraft, he was forced to eject at low level (100 ft), over Larkhill in Wiltshire, when the engine failed at 3,000 ft. On ejection from the aircraft he broke his neck; he needed a bone graft, and surgeons had to operate via his throat.

He returned to flying nine months later, and received the Queen's Commendation for Valuable Service in the Air in the 1969 Birthday Honours.

He was the first to fly the Hawk HS1182 prototype (XX154) at around 7pm on 21 August 1974,[5] and reached 20,000 ft in a 53-minute flight.

XV738 the first production Harrier GR1, soon after made into a GR3, seen in August 1987 at RAF Gütersloh with 4 Squadron , piloted by Squadron Leader Clive Loader , who became an Air Chief Marshal
Hawk XX154 - the first example to fly, in August 1974 at Dunsfold Aerodrome . Seen here at RIAT in July 2015