George Edwards (aviation)

Sir George Robert Freeman Edwards OM CBE FREng FRS DL (9 July 1908 – 2 March 2003), was a British aircraft designer and industrialist.

[1][2] George Edwards was born on 9 July 1908 at Highams Park, on the north side of London, England.

[3] The Walthamstow Technical Institute in 1970 became part of North East London Polytechnic (which later became part of the University of East London) Beginning as a design draughtsman in 1935, he was promoted in 1940 to Experimental Department Manager and in 1945 he became the Chief Designer of the Vickers-Armstrongs team that produced the Viking airliner, Valetta military transport, Varsity trainer, Viscount airliners and Valiant strategic bomber.

BAC was also a partner in the international projects for Concorde (for which he led the British team), Anglo-French SEPECAT Jaguar and the Panavia Tornado.

He was made a member of the Order of Merit in 1971, and was awarded the Royal Medal in 1974 for his distinguished contributions in the applied sciences.