Barrie Heath
| Barrie Heath | |
|---|---|
Barrie Heath photographed on the wing of Spitfire IIa P7883 "Grahaeme Heath", which had been donated by his parents in memory of his older brother, a pilot in the Royal Flying Corps who was killed in World War I
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| Birth name | Barrie Heath |
| Born |
11 September 1916 Kings Norton, Warwickshire |
| Died | 22 February 1988 (aged 71) Buckinghamshire, England |
| Allegiance |
 United Kingdom
|
| Service/branch |
 Royal Air Force
|
| Years of service | 1938–1946 |
| Rank | Wing Commander |
| Unit |
No. 611 Squadron RAF No. 43 Squadron RAF No. 324 Wing Commander |
| Battles/wars | |
| Awards | Distinguished Flying Cross |
| Relations | Grahame Heath (Older Brother) Duncan Heath (Son) |
| Other work | Triplex Safety Glass Ltd Employee (1960) Pilkington Brothers Director (1967) Chairman of GKN (1975) |
Sir Barrie Heath, DFC, AE (11 September 1916 – 22 February 1988) was a World War II Royal Air Force Spitfire pilot who fought in the Battle of Britain, and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. After the war he had a successful career in industry, rising to become chairman of the industrial conglomerate GKN. In 1978 he received a knighthood for services to export.
Heath was born in Kings Norton, Warwickshire on 11 September 1916. His older brother Grahame was a pilot in the Royal Flying Corps and was killed in action in World War I.
Heath saw active service in 1940 with No. 611 Squadron RAF, flying in Spitfire IIa P7883 "Grahame Heath", which had been donated by his parents in memory of his brother.
Such donations were not uncommon at the time; many patriotic individuals as well as towns and other organisations were encouraged to donate the cost of an airframe. The cost of a Spitfire was set by the government at £5,000, a very large sum at the time, although the real cost of manufacturing the aircraft was more than £10,000. By way of honouring the donation, the aircraft was permitted to bear the name of the donor himself, or any other name they chose. Approximately 1500 "presentation" Spitfires were donated during the course of the war, representing about 17% of total production.
Criticised by squadron CO S/L James Ellis McComb for damaging his Spitfire on landing, Heath is said to have replied: "this is my Spit and I'll fly it any bloody way I like".
According to the official No. 611 Squadron RAF website, between June 1940 and February 1941 Heath shot down 4 enemy aircraft (including two "probables") and damaged two others. He was made 'B' Flight Commander in November 1940.
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