Ray Wheeler

Raymond Leslie Wheeler (25 October 1927 – 25 June 2019[1]) was a British engineer who was instrumental in Britain's successful development of rocket launchers and hovercraft.

He attended Newport County Secondary Grammar School (now Carisbrooke College).

[2] At Saunders-Roe he worked with Roy Dommett on the Black Arrow rocket programme, where he was the Chief Designer.

Although entirely successful, built on a limited budget, the project came to an abrupt end in November 1971, having been cancelled on 29 July 1971.

From 1966 to 1985 he was Chief Designer of the British Hovercraft Corporation, and Technical Director from 1972 to 1985.