Philip Lucas

Philip Lucas GM (1902–1981) was an English aviator and test pilot who was awarded the George Medal for his courage and skill landing a damaged Hawker Typhoon prototype.[1]

Philip Gadesden Lucas was born on 3 September 1902 at Bexleyheath, Kent and was educated at Epsom College before starting an apprenticeship with Vickers.[1] He joined the Royal Air Force in 1926 and by 1931 had joined Hawker Aircraft as a test pilot.[1] In 1939 he became Hawker's Chief Experimental Test Pilot operating from Brooklands in Surrey and Langley in Buckinghamshire.[1] He flew the Hawker Hurricane, Hawker Typhoon and Hawker Tempest straight from the production line and for development flying.[1]

In 1941 Lucas was flying a Hawker Typhoon prototype that he managed to land safely after it suffered a structural failure during flight. For his courage and skill he was awarded the George Medal:

Test Pilot Lucas displayed great courage and presence of mind during a test flight and, by his skill and coolness, saved an aircraft from destruction.

— London Gazette[2]

Lucas retired from test flying in 1946 and became general manager of Hawker Aircraft, which by the time he retired in 1967 had become Hawker Siddeley Aviation.[1] He died in Crawley, West Sussex on 18 December 1981, aged 79.