Desmond first took to the skies in 1947. It was during this early training that his promise as a pilot was recognised, culminating in his first solo flight on 14th April 1948. Desmond continued to build on his knowledge and passion by studying Aeronautical Engineering at Loughborough, graduating with honours in 1951. As a student he designed and built a test bed for a Rolls-Royce engine. Desmond Penrose’s talent was once again recognised when he became the first graduate from Loughborough to receive a Direct Entry Permanent Commission to the Royal Air Force.
In November 1952, at the age of 22, Desmond was posted to 208 Squadron flying Meteor FR9s based at Abu Sueir in Egypt. The squadron’s primary task was fighter-reconnaissance, operating at high speed at low level, mostly between 70ft and 100ft. Desmond’s love of aerobatics caused him to suggest that the squadron establish a formation team which they did, often practicing at night!
After a glowing career with the RAF, which included time as a Jet Instructor, the formation of an aerobatic team, and four years as a test pilot with the Royal Aircraft Establishment, Desmond joined Hawker Siddeley, a group of British manufacturing companies engaged in aircraft production. Desmond was awarded Fellowship of the Royal Aeronautical Society at the comparatively young age of 39. This honour is only considered for those who have provided an outstanding contribution to the profession of aeronautics, with positions of high responsibility, and extensive high quality experience.
Desmond flew over 300 types of aircraft, achieving the 65th anniversary of his first solo flight in a Tiger Moth in April 2013. Desmond maintained aerobatic display authorisation for many years and also worked hard to support the education and learning of other aviation professionals, including personally supporting pilots, authors and ground crew maintenance engineers.
In 1962 John Cunningham suggested that Desmond become custodian of Hatfield’s 1925 Cirrus Moth, a task in which he immersed himself until his retirement from the company in 1974 when he established his own business ventures. With a growing reputation as a vintage aeroplane protagonist, Desmond was approached by Air Commodore Allen Wheeler, enquiring whether he would be interested in displaying some of the Shuttleworth Collection’s unique aeroplanes and he eventually he flew every aircraft in the Collection and was a regular performer at their summer air displays up to 2005.
As a great enthusiast for historic aircraft, he also owned and operated the famous mew Gull G-AEXF and the Arrow Active, two aircraft forever associated with his hero Alex Henshaw. Both of these he displayed impeccably, with great style and grace. Desmond logged almost 11,000 hours in 362 different types from Mach 2 fighters to the Bristol Boxkite with a speed range up to 35mph, and flew more than 600 public displays.
His last flight as pilot in command ended where it all began, in a familiar Tiger Moth, when he flew solo for half an hour and completed two circuits at Henlow Airfield on 12 August 2018. He had decided it was time, and he made the final entry in his logbook.
A Memorial Service will be held at St Helens Church, Wheathampstead, Hertfordshire AL4 8AA on Monday 16 June at 1.00pm.