Hedley Hazelden

Hedley George Hazelden
Nickname(s)	Hazel
Allegiance	United Kingdom
Service/branch	Royal Air Force
Rank	Squadron Leader
Battles/wars	World War II
Awards	DFC King's Commendation for Valuable Service in the Air Queen's Commendation for Valuable Service in the Air

Squadron Leader Hedley George "Hazel" Hazelden DFC and bar (7 June 1915 – August 2001) was a British test pilot.

Hazelden trained as a pilot in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve before the outbreak of the Second World War. He joined the Royal Air Force in May 1939 and completed his flying training on Ansons at 12 Flying Training School located at RAF Redhill in Surrey. He joined No. 44 Squadron RAF with Bomber Command at RAF Waddington in September 1940, flying Handley Page Hampden twin-engine bombers.

In 1941, Hazeldon underwent operational conversion training for the Avro Manchester twin-engined bomber at RAF Finningley in Yorkshire. He joined No. 83 Squadron RAF at RAF Scampton in Lincolnshire. He remained with No. 83 Squadron during its conversion to the Avro Lancaster four-engined bomber.

In July 1942, after a tour of operations during which he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, he became a flying instructor at RAF Bassingbourn, then RAF Wescott, and finally RAF Oakley. He was later chief flying instructor for the Vickers Wellington and he was a member of the inaugural class at the Empire Test Pilots' School at RAF Boscombe Down.