Gwen Alston

Gwen Alston
Born Hannah Gwendolen Shone
22 May 1907
Birkenhead, Cheshire
Died 14 July 1993
Nationality British
Alma mater University of Liverpool, University of Nottingham
Known for Flight-testing, aviation education, spinning tunnels
Spouse(s) Peter Alston
Awards Scott-Farnie Medal
Scientific career
Fields Aerodynamics
Institutions Royal Aircraft Establishment
Academic advisors Hermann Glauert

Hannah Gwendolen Shone (22 May 1907 – 14 July 1993) was a British aerodynamicist and educationalist most known for her work on spinning tunnels and aircraft flight-testing during World War II, as well as her involvement in flight education.

Early life and education

Alston was born on the 22nd of May 1907 in Birkenhead, Cheshire. She obtained a BSc in mathematics in 1927 and a diploma in education in 1928, both from the University of Liverpool. She went on to study aerodynamics at the University of Nottingham where she was awarded a MSc in 1932.[1]

Career

Research

Alston joined the Royal Aircraft Establishment at Farnborough Airfield in 1933, working under Hermann Glauert and supervising the local spinning tunnel.[1]

During World War II, she investigated the cause of Fairey Barracuda torpedo bomber accidents. Together with her pilot Eric Brown, she carried out test flights and found problems with flap positions in conjunction with rudder input to be the cause of the crashes.[1][2]

She was a founding member of RAF technical flight, the Aerospace Education and Recreation Organisation and became and associate of the Royal Aeronautical Society in 1956.[1]

Alston retired in 1973.[3]

Teaching

After graduating from the University of Liverpool, Alston taught mathematics in Rotherham and Nottingham from 1929 to 1934 while completing her Master's degree.[1]

Throughout her consequent scientific career, Alston committed herself to the improvement and communication of aviation education.[4][5] In 1947 she was appointed to Inspector of Schools in England.[6]

Personal life and family

Alston was an avid aviator, obtaining her flying license from the Royal Aero Club in 1929 [1][7] and completing basic and advanced RAF pilot training.[1]

In 1933, Alston met her future husband Peter Alston, a Civilian Scientific Officer, who died on the 16th of February 1939 near Eyke, Suffolk, while testing a military aircraft.[8] The Royal Aeronautical Society's RP Alston Medal was first awarded in 1949 in memory of Alston's late husband.[9]

Awards and honours

  • In 1969, Alston became the first recipient of the Scott-Farnie Medal for her contribution to aviation education.[10]
  • In 1970, Alston became an Honorary Companion of the Royal Aeronautical Society.[11]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Obituary: Gwen Alston". The Independent. Retrieved 2018-07-26.
  2. ↑ "The Spinning of Model Aircraft and the Prediction of Full-Scale Spin and Recovery Characteristics" (PDF). Aeronautical Research Council Reports and Memoranda. 1956.
  3. ↑ "Meeting on 6th November,1973" (PDF). Report of Education Committee. 1973.
  4. ↑ Information, Reed Business (1960-08-04). New Scientist. Reed Business Information.
  5. ↑ Information, Reed Business (1960-04-21). New Scientist. Reed Business Information.
  6. ↑ The Education Committees Year Book 1947 (PDF). 1947. p. 31.
  7. ↑ Reed Business Information Ltd (1930-05-23). Flight International Magazine 1930-05-23.
  8. ↑ Ranter, Harro. "Accident North American Harvard N7000, 16 Feb 1939". aviation-safety.net. Retrieved 2018-07-26.
  9. ↑ "Royal Aeronautical Society - Special Awards" (PDF).
  10. ↑ "Scott-Farnie Medal". www.worldrecordpilot.org. Retrieved 2018-07-26.
  11. ↑ "Royal Aeronautical Society - Honours, Medals & Awards" (PDF).
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