Squadron Leader Neville Duke died recently aged 85, shortly after flying his Grumman Tiger, G-ZERO.Neville Duke was a WWII fighter pilot who flew 485 sorties and achieved 28 victories. After the war he became a test pilot with Hawker Aircraft Ltd and eventually became Chief Test Pilot. He set a World Speed Record of 728 mph in 1953 in a Hunter. He had to retire in 1956 following a crash in a Hunter which damaged his spine. This resulted in severe pain under g-forces which made it impossible for him to continue. Sadly, a couple of years ago he had to sell his medals, diaries and other memorabilia partly to pay for a hip replacement operation for his wife to avoid subjecting her to months of pain and discomfort while she waited for an operation on the NHS.

Very sad to hear about this, i never knew of him but by what you say he was a great man.>Sadly, a couple of years ago he had to sell his medals,>diaries and other memorabilia partly to pay for a hip>replacement operation for his wife to avoid subjecting her to>months of pain and discomfort while she waited for an>operation on the NHS.Sounds about right. And if he left any substancial amount of money behind the Government will have 40% of that.Dave