Tony Blackman

Anthony Lionel Blackman
Anthony Lionel Blackman
Born	6 April 1928 (age 98); Kensington, London, England
Died	13 August 2024 (aged 96)
Occupation(s)	Aviator, test pilot, author
Years active	1948–1970s
Known for	Chief Test Pilot at Avro; test flying UK nuclear bombers and Hawker Siddeley Nimrod
Notable work	Vulcan Boys: From the Cold War to the Falklands — True Tales of the Delta V-Bomber; Test Pilot. My Extraordinary Life in Flight.

Anthony Lionel Blackman Template:Postnominals (6 April 1928 – 13 August 2024) was a distinguished British aviator known for his role as Chief Test Pilot at Avro.

Early life

Born to Sydney Blackman (7 December 1898 – 1971), a radiologist from Kensington Court who played a key role in advancing the use of panoramic radiograph technology in dentistry, Anthony hailed from a family of Polish immigrant descent. Sydney Blackman received his education at the Grocers' Company School, later renamed Hackney Downs School.

Sydney and Lena Goodman, Anthony’s parents, were wed in 1923 in Hackney. His sister, Rita Mason (1925 – 25 March 2008), specialized in dental radiology (oral and maxillofacial radiology) alongside their father at the Royal Dental Hospital. She attended Henrietta Barnett School located in Hampstead Garden Suburb. Sydney Blackman was instrumental in founding the British Society of Dental and Maxillo-facial Radiology.

Royal Air Force

Blackman commenced his National Service in October 1948 at RAF Padgate, near Warrington. He officially joined the Royal Air Force in December 1948 as a Pilot Officer, undergoing a 12-week training course at the RAF School of Education based at RAF Wellesbourne Mountford. Subsequently, he served as an instructor for Mathematics and Physics at No. 1 Initial Training School RAF located at RAF Wittering. Beginning January 1950, he trained as a pilot at RAF Ternhill with No. 6 Flying Training School (6 FTS), flying the Percival Prentice during the No. 38 Pilots Course.

During his service, Blackman operated Vampire and Venom aircraft while assigned to Nos. 5 and 11 Squadrons.

He advanced to attend the prestigious Empire Test Pilots' School (ETPS), preparing him for his subsequent role at the Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment (A&AEE) with B Squadron, where he served until August 1956.

Test Flying Career

Alongside renowned aviators such as John Cunningham, John Farley, and Peter Twiss, Blackman belonged to a post-war generation of test pilots distinguished not only by their flying expertise but also by their ability to collaborate closely with scientists and engineers to address challenges in aeronautical design and performance. A former fighter pilot with an exceptional aptitude for mathematics and holding a physics degree from Trinity College, Cambridge, Blackman uniquely combined the skills of an outstanding pilot with those of a highly capable engineer.

Blackman's test flying portfolio included all three of the United Kingdom's nuclear bombers—the Handley Page Victor, the Vickers Valiant, and the Avro Vulcan. Additionally, he contributed significantly to the advancement of the Hawker Siddeley Nimrod, a maritime patrol aircraft.

Avro

File:Avro 698 and Avro Vulcan B.1 top-view silhouettes.png

Avro 698 and Avro Vulcan B1 wing shape

Blackman joined Avro as a test pilot in 1956, eventually becoming their chief test pilot and serving in that capacity until 1973. During his tenure, he flew 105 of the Vulcan bombers produced.

Although the original model, the Vulcan B1, had been operational since 1956, Blackman was responsible for delivering the first upgraded B2 variant—a substantial enhancement over its predecessor—to an active squadron at RAF Waddington on 1 July 1960.

Avro secured a contract to develop the Mach 3-capable Avro 730, for which Blackman was slated to be the test pilot; however, this project was terminated in 1957. He was also offered a role as a test pilot for the Concorde. On one occasion, he piloted Concorde (G-AXDN, currently exhibited at Duxford), substituting for Jock Cochrane at RAF Fairford. Furthermore, Blackman served as the test pilot for both the Hawker Siddeley HS 748 (also known as Avro 748) and the Hawker Siddeley Nimrod, which was designed by Gilbert Whitehead.

Smiths Industries

Following his earlier roles, Blackman went on to be employed by Smiths Industries.

Personal life and death

In late 1956, Blackman wed Margaret. The couple had two children.

He was honored with an OBE during the 1974 Birthday Honours. While serving as deputy chief test pilot at Hawker Siddeley in Cheshire, he received the Queen's Commendation for Valuable Service in the Air in the 1970 New Year Honours.

Blackman authored several books detailing the aircraft he had flown, including Vulcan Boys: From the Cold War to the Falklands — True Tales of the Delta V-Bomber. He also wrote a collection of aviation-themed novels featuring Peter Talbot, an insurance investigator.

His publications have become regarded as classics within aviation literature. Blackman's autobiography, titled Test Pilot. My Extraordinary Life in Flight., is widely recognized as an authoritative resource and essential reading for those seeking comprehensive insight into test flying.

Tony Blackman passed away on 13 August 2024 at the age of 96.

References

External links