Rex Pierson

[1] Although his father wanted him to work in a bank, young Rex started an apprenticeship in 1908 with Vickers at Erith.

[1] In 1917 he designed the twin-engined Vickers Vimy biplane heavy bomber which entered service with the Royal Air Force in 1919.

[1] A Vimy flown by John Alcock and Arthur Brown made the first non-stop crossing of the Atlantic Ocean in June 1919.

[1] His name and achievements are commemorated by an annual R K Pierson Lecture held by the Royal Aeronautical Society (Weybridge Branch) at Brooklands Museum, usually in November.

The museum also displays a unique collection of aircraft produced by the Vickers design team led by Pierson and Edwards from 1917-60.