Anyone shed light on this.
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Anyone shed light on this.
Going through my late father's photographs I found this.
He he was a TV reporter for the BBC in the early 1960s and I think the photo was taken somewhere in North East England.
Who was the woman? What was she doing to merit a TV interview? I guess flying or flying in the aircraft in the background.
The aircraft. A Lightning?
I would love it if anyone can shed any light on this.
Thanks in advance.
He he was a TV reporter for the BBC in the early 1960s and I think the photo was taken somewhere in North East England.
Who was the woman? What was she doing to merit a TV interview? I guess flying or flying in the aircraft in the background.
The aircraft. A Lightning?
I would love it if anyone can shed any light on this.
Thanks in advance.
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aceatco, retired
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Women's Speed Record Flight - 1262mph - on 26 August 1963, Squadron Leader Ken Goodwin and I pose for the cameras. And behind is the Lightning which I flew - XM996, a Mark T4.
Photo caption from her book, 'Spreading my Wings' 1994.
Photo caption from her book, 'Spreading my Wings' 1994.
"Mildly" Eccentric Stardriver
On 26 August 1963 she flew an English Electric Lightning T4 to Mach 1.6 (1,262 mph) after convincing the Air Minister to let her fly it with Squadron Leader Ken Goodwin as her check pilot, and so became the first British woman to break the sound barrier. She also established by this flight a world air speed record for women.[6]
I suspect you are right. here is a direct extract from Wiki
I suspect you are right. here is a direct extract from Wiki
And wearing a pair of flatties as well.....was she excused boots...?
Fareastdriver
Flight Officer Jean Oakes was the first according to this report in The Times dated 14th September 1962.
I thought that a few WRAF officers had joined the ten ton club before then
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The difference between Oakes and Barnato is that the latter was a qualified pilot and was performing an aircrew role during the flight. Oakes was evidently a passenger, given some hands-on time.
