Test pilots gather at Popham

摘要

Popham in Hampshire hosted another historic gathering of test pilots on July 6 thanks to the aerodrome's owner Susie Church and its indefatigable manager, Dick Richardson. An event like this requires considerable input from other organisations and among those helping to make it a reality were Rolls-Reyce, Martin-Baker, Sir Adrian Swire, Philip Meeson and Robert Pooley. Duncan Simpson, test pilot for Hawker from 1954, chief test pilot for the organisation from 1970 and best known for his prowess on Hunters, P.1127s, Kestrels, Harriers and Hawks, greeted the audience. Duncan was particularly pleased to see Martin-Baker MD John Martin and thanked him for his support of both the occasion and his life-saving ejection seats.