RIP Wing Commander Ken Wallis

[FunkyNige]

Don't know how many on here know of Wing Commander Ken Wallis, he was Sean Connery's stunt double in the auto-gyro in one of the Bond films, holds loads of auto-gyro records (including the world record speed when he was 89) and made another attempt at it when he was 95, quite a remarkable man and a bit of a celebrity round these parts (always just known as 'Wing Commander', saw him fly his auto gyros over fairly often).

Bit of info about the man and his machines on the EDP website
http://www.edp24.co.uk/news/film_charts_life_of_no...

[diff lock]

Watched him as a kid at the Nottingham Riverside Festival, when he flew "little nelly" under the suspension bridge on the embankment. Must be getting on for nearly 40 years ago!!!! A sight I will never forget ( might explain my love of Bond films, sad but true!)

[Amused2death]

I heard of his death last night.

Britain is slowly running out of true heroes.

[EdBarrett]

You may no longer walk the Earth beside us, yet now you can spread your wings amoungst the clouds. In your wake you have inspired many to accomplish their dreams.

Rest In Peace, Sir.

[GadgeS3C]

diff lock said:

Watched him as a kid at the Nottingham Riverside Festival, when he flew "little nelly" under the suspension bridge on the embankment. Must be getting on for nearly 40 years ago!!!! A sight I will never forget ( might explain my love of Bond films, sad but true!)

Wow - wish I'd seen that - can't believe that would happen now!

[Amused2death]

Last time I saw him, which was a few years ago, he flew into Seething in Norfolk in this....



He wasn't overly precious about it, anyone was welcome to prod it and ask him about it.

ETA...Further link

http://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/news/daughter_descr...

Edited by Amused2death on Wednesday 4th September 11:01

[MartG]

RIP Ken - the true champion of autogyros !

[Eric Mc]

I saw him display in Ireland back in 1982 at the Faireyhouse Air Spectacular.

Around the same time he had a bit of an accident displaying in Northern Ireland.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DMS-yA3Lpp4

[hman]

Legend! RIP.

[MogulBoy]

Saw him demonstrate the autogyro at a Scottish airshow in the late 70's, early 80's (possibly Perth?). I can remember that they laid on the full Bond theme with music over the Tannoy and some smoke etc. I recall that there was some terrain in the immediate vicintiy of the airfield he faked a crash landing by dipping below the horizon before continiuing. Great stuff. RIP.

[Hooli]

RIP a proper English mentalist, we're running short of them.

[airbrakes]

RIP - I always wanted to see him flying but never got the chance to see a display - now I never will

I was given a book on him a couple of years ago - "The Lives of ken Wallis" [sic]. I highly recommend getting a copy and reading it, it's a ripping yarn chronicling the adventures of a true Boys Own hero

[HOGEPH]

He was kind enough to show me around his collection of gyroplanes in the 90's. Fascinating gentleman, and a sad lost to British Aviation history.

[Ayahuasca]

RIP.

A true English hero whose odds of making it to 97 must sometimes have seemed very long.

[CooperD]

A very good obituary in the Telegraph. I remember him coming to my school fete in the late 70's and bringing Little Nellie. He was very much a character and another Great British eccentric. RIP.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/1028686...

[MOM]

Had a fantastic day last year on the vscc norfolk run which ended at his House. A true gent, all wandering around his hangar full of autogyros. The previous year he was at a village fete & as soon as i spoke to him about the rotor head arrangement which he explained he then invite me to his home. He genuinely wanted to help anyone further their knowledge about the aircraft. Wish i could remember some of the funny stories he told us. A truly great englishman

[MOM]

Had a fantastic day last year on the vscc norfolk run which ended at his House. A true gent, all wandering around his hangar full of autogyros. The previous year he was at a village fete & as soon as i spoke to him about the rotor head arrangement which he explained he then invite me to his home. He genuinely wanted to help anyone further their knowledge about the aircraft. Wish i could remember some of the funny stories he told us. A truly great englishman

[Groovydale]

RIP Ken
He demonstrated Little Nelly at the 73 British GP at Brands Although the day was mostly a blur due to all the free fags the JPS dollys were dishing out
Dale

[Monkey boy 1]

Met him a couple of times as he only lived a few miles from me. He was a brilliant engineer, a real stereotypical English eccentric and a rebel.

RIP Ken

[Riley Blue]

I met him just over a year ago when he gave a talk at his home to my car club. He was very modest about his exploits and achievements, of which there were many, and had a keen sense of humour. He was, he said, delighted to see us as it gave him an excuse to fly - which he did from a grass strip in his garden. A truly 'great' Briton, the like of which we may never see again.

RIP Wing Commander Wallis.