Richard Clarkson
Richard Milroy Clarkson | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth date |
| Died | October 7, 1996 (aged 92) |
| Occupation | Aerospace engineer |
| Known for | Aerodynamic design of de Havilland Mosquito and HS121 Trident wings |
Richard Milroy Clarkson OBE FCGI FRAeS (14 July 1904 – 7 October 1996) was a distinguished British aerospace engineer affiliated with de Havilland and later Hawker Siddeley. He directed the wing design of the HS121 Trident, elements of which influenced the wing structure of the Airbus A300 during the late 1960s.
Early life
Clarkson was educated at Clayesmore School in Dorset.
de Havilland
In 1925, he commenced his career at de Havilland’s Edgware facility.
He played a pivotal role in the aerodynamic development of the de Havilland Mosquito. The prototype Mosquito W4050 took flight in November 1940. Clarkson advanced to Head of Aerodynamics in 1935 and was appointed Assistant Chief Engineer in 1941.
Hawker Siddeley Aviation
Clarkson oversaw the aerodynamic design of the DH.121 Trident, and subsequently, his team contributed to the wing design for the Airbus A300.
He concluded his professional career with retirement in February 1969.
Personal life
During the 1930s, he resided in Whitwell, Hertfordshire.
In 1940, he married Sylvia Paice, and together they had one daughter. Clarkson was honoured with an OBE in the 1950 New Year Honours. By the 1950s, he lived at Kinsbourne Green near Harpenden.
He was made a Fellow of City and Guilds in April 1964. In recognition of his contributions, he received the Gold Medal from the Royal Aeronautical Society in 1966. The Royal Society awarded him the Mullard Award in 1969 for his work on the Trident project.
Clarkson passed away in Somerset in 1996.
See also
- A. H. Tiltman, another designer affiliated with de Havilland
- Tim Wilkins OBE, Chief Designer at de Havilland
References
Template:De Havilland aircraft Template:Hawker Siddeley aircraft
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- 1904 births
- 1996 deaths
- Aerodynamicists
- De Havilland
- De Havilland Mosquito
- English aerospace engineers
- Fellows of the Royal Aeronautical Society
- Hawker Siddeley
- People educated at Clayesmore School
- People from North Hertfordshire District
- People from the City of St Albans
- Royal Aeronautical Society Gold Medal winners
- Officers of the Order of the British Empire