Wing Commander Kenneth Horatio Wallis MBE, DEng (hc), CEng, FRAeS, FSETP, PhD (hc), RAF (Ret'd), is one of the leading exponents of autogyros. He has held (in some cases still holds) 34 records relating to them.
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Early life
Born on 26 April 1916 at Ely, Cambridgeshire, he developed a practical interest in mechanics, building a motorcycle at the age of 11. In the 1930s he bought and assembled a Flying Flea aircraft. These were kit form midget aircraft which were banned in 1936 after several fatalities due to design flaws.
He took an interest in powerboating which he kept up until 1957, when he won the 56-mile (90 km) long Missouri Marathon.
Military career
His military career started with Westland Lysander patrols in the RAF. In 1942 he was transferred to Bomber Command, flying Wellingtons near Grimsby. He subsequently served in Italy. Thereafter he was involved in research and development. He left the RAF in 1964, retiring to Norfolk.
Autogyros
He produces autogyros for, in his own words, "reconnaissance, research & development, surveillance and military purposes" and his designs are not available for enthusiasts.
He provided and flew Little Nellie in the James Bond film You Only Live Twice, which was written about in the book Little Nellie 007. He is President of the Norfolk & Suffolk Aviation Museum and Patron of the Wolf Preservation Foundation.
Recognition
Wing Commander Wallis has been the recognized world record holder for many categories of autogyro records over the years and is also recognized as the oldest pilot to set a world flight record at the age of 89.
He received the MBE in 1996.
References
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