Neville Duke
| Neville Frederick Duke | |
|---|---|
Cover from Test Pilot, Neville Duke's autobiography
|
|
| Born |
11 January 1922 Tonbridge, Kent |
| Died | 7 April 2007 (aged 85) St Peter's Hospital, Chertsey |
| Allegiance |
 United Kingdom
|
| Service/branch |
 Royal Air Force
|
| Years of service | 1939–1964 |
| Rank | Squadron leader |
| Unit |
No. 92 Squadron RAF No. 112 Squadron RAF No. 37 Squadron RAF |
| Commands held |
No. 615 Squadron RAF No. 145 Squadron RAF |
| Battles/wars | Second World War |
| Awards |
Distinguished Service Order Officer of the Order of the British Empire Distinguished Flying Cross & Two Bars Air Force Cross Queen's Commendation for Valuable Service in the Air War Cross (Czechoslovakia) |
| Other work | Test pilot |
Squadron Leader Neville Frederick Duke DSO, OBE, DFC & Two Bars, AFC, FRAeS (11 January 1922 – 7 April 2007) was a British test pilot and fighter ace of the Second World War. He was the most successful Western Allied ace in the Mediterranean Theatre, and was credited with the destruction of 27 enemy aircraft. After the end of the war, Duke was acknowledged as one of the world's foremost test pilots. In 1953, he became holder of the world air speed record when he flew a Hawker Hunter at 727.63 mph (1,171.01 km/h) over Littlehampton.
Duke was born in Tonbridge, Kent, and educated at the Convent of St Mary and The Judd School in Tonbridge. One of the four houses at Judd is now named after him, following the reinstating of a house system to the school in 2008. He started working as an auctioneer and estate agent before attempting to join the Fleet Air Arm on his 18th birthday. He was rejected and joined the RAF instead as a cadet in June 1940.
Duke underwent pilot training and was commissioned at No. 58 Operational Training Unit, Grangemouth in February 1941, before being posted to No. 92 Squadron at Biggin Hill in April, flying Supermarine Spitfire Mk Vs. Operating over occupied Europe, Duke's obvious talents as a fighter pilot meant he often flew as wingman to Biggin Hill's wing leader, Wing Commander Adolph "Sailor" Malan. By August 1941, Duke had claimed two Messerschmitt Bf 109s shot down. When the unit was withdrawn for a rest in October 1941, Duke was posted to North Africa to fly with No. 112 Squadron on the Curtiss Tomahawk.
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