Ronald Frederick Ayers MBE (11 April 1932 – 29 May 2024) was an English engineer who was responsible for the aerodynamics of the land speed record-holding vehicles, ThrustSSC and JCB Dieselmax, and was Chief Aerodynamicist for the Bloodhound SSC.
[1] Ayers obtained a BSc in aeronautical engineering from the University of London and an MSc in aerodynamics from Cranfield University before starting his working career as an apprentice at Handley Page Ltd, eventually working his way up to helping design prototypes of the Handley Page Victor bomber aircraft.
He was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2014 New Year Honours for services to engineering.
[6] Ayers was responsible for the design of the JCB Dieselmax which smashed the World Speed Record for diesel cars on 23 August 2006, clocking 350 mph.
[7] He was heavily involved in the design of the current land speed record attempt vehicle, the Bloodhound SSC.