CC59b Neville Duke Hawker Hunter WB188 signed RAF cover

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British Achievements in Speed cover signed by Squadron Leader Neville Duke DSO OBE DFC** AFC, Hawker Test Pilot JS(CC)59 extra special commemorative cover JS(CC)59b Extra Special of our 1998 Achievements in Speed Cover. The cover artwork by Tony Theobald shows Neville Duke's Red Hawker Hunter which broke the World Air Speed Record in 1953, Peter Twiss in the Fairey Delta 2 which shattered the World Air Speed Record in 1956 with a blistering 1,100mph+, Sir Henry Segrave's Golden Arrow is shown a lovely car which set the Land Speed record at 231.44mph in 1929. No cover would be complete without commemorating the famous Bluebirds and Sir Malcom Campbell is shown in his Bluebird car which in 1935 set the World Land Speed Record at 301.13mph finally Donald Campbell is shown in his Bluebird K7 boat which set the World Speed Record on Water at 276.33mph in 1964.This cover is a little different in that it bears a 1st class Royal Mail Golden Jubilee definitive stamp cancelled with 50 Anniversary of Neville Duke's World Speed Record - Littlehampton Sussex - 6 Sept 03 postmark in addition to the Bell X-1 Chuck yeager First Supersonic Flight 1947 32c USA stamp cancelled with Washington DC 29 Sep 1988 postmark. The cover has been signed by Neville Duke who broke the World Air Speed Record on the 7 September 1953 flying the distinctive red hawker Hunter F3 WB 188 at 727.48 mph. The cover has also been signed by Flight Lieutenant P Baker MA RAF, who flew the covers in Hawker Hunter T7 XL612. Squadron Leader Neville Duke DSO OBE DFC** AFC Born on 11 January 1922 in Tunbridge, Kent. On leaving school in 1939 he worked for 6 months as an auctioneer and estate agent whilst waiting for his 18 birthday. Initially he tried to get into the Fleet Air Arm, but was accepted by the RAF instead in June 1940. He was commissioned at 58 OTU, Grangemouth in February 1941, and was then posted to No.92 Squadron in April, operating over France from Biggin Hill, flying on occasion as wingman to ‘Sailor’ Malan. When the unit withdrew from the south in October, he was posted to the Middle East, where he joined 112 Squadron in November. On 30 November he was shot down by Oberfeldwebel Otto Schulz of II/JG27, and on 5 December was shot down again, by another pilot of this Geschwader. His own tally was rising fast, however, and by the end of February 1942 he had 8 confirmed and 3 probable victories. He was awarded a DFC in March, and completed his first tour the following month. He then served at the Fighter School at El Ballal in the Canal Zone as an instructor until 18 November, when he rejoined 92 Squadron which was now also in the Desert. He became a flight commander in January 1943 and was awarded a DSO in March and by the end of his second tour had added a further 14 victories to his total. Promoted Squadron Leader he was posted to 73 OTU at Abu Sueir as CFI. In March 1944 he commenced his third tour as commanding officer of 145 Squadron in Italy, now flying Spitfire VIIIs. With this unit he claimed 5 further victories in May, receiving a second bar to his DFC. On 7 June his aircraft was hit by Flak and he baled out into Lake Bracciano, almost being drowned when unable to release his parachute harness rapidly, due to wind filling the canopy. After a long period without seeing enemy aircraft, he obtained his final victories on 7 September 1944 to confirm his position as Mediterranean theatre top-scorer. Two weeks later he completed his tour, having undertaken 486 sorties totalling 712 hours in 3 tours. Returning to the UK in October, he became a production test pilot with Hawkers in January 1945. After a year there he attended the fourth course at the Empire Test Pilots’ School, Cranfield, then joining the RAF High Speed Flight in June 1946. This was followed by service at the A&AEE at Boscombe Down in March 1947. Having received a Czech War Cross in 1946, he was awarded an AFC in 1948. However, he resigned from the RAF in June 1948 joining Hawkers as a test pilot and becoming Chief Test Pilot in 1951. At the same time he joined ... read more

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