Squadron Leader Neville Frederick Duke, DSO, OBE, DFC & Two Bars, AFC, FRAeS

Combat Service in World War II

After his initial posting with 92 Squadron, Duke was moved to No. 112 Squadron in North Africa. There he flew Tomahawks and Kittyhawks (Curtiss P-40 variants), engaging in combat against Axis forces. He endured several dangerous episodes: shot down twice in late 1941, including during desert operations.

During his time in the Mediterranean and North African theatre, Duke’s tally of victories grew steadily. He earned the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) in 1942 for his leadership and combat successes. He also served as an instructor in Egypt for a period, before returning to operations.

Post-war Career as Test Pilot & Achievements

After the war, Duke transitioned into a highly successful career as a test pilot — a role for which he became almost as famous as for his wartime deeds. In 1945 he began working for Hawker Aircraft, and by 1951 he was appointed Chief Test Pilot. One of his major contributions was in developing the Hawker Hunter jet fighter, a sophisticated British design which became a major success.

On 7 September 1953, Duke set a new world air speed record flying Hunter WB188 over Littlehampton, reaching 727.63 mph (≈ 1,171 km/h).

His test flying was not without risk. In 1955 and 1956 Duke suffered serious back injuries resulting from forced landings. One incident in August 1955 involved an engine failure while flying a Hunter. Another forced landing at Thorney Island in May 1956 caused further damage. These injuries eventually led to his retirement from Hawker in October 1956.

Early Life and Entry into the Royal Air Force

Neville Frederick Duke was born on 11 January 1922 in Tonbridge, Kent. From a young age he was fascinated by flying. He attended the Convent of St Mary and then The Judd School in Tonbridge. While still quite young he took flights with Sir Alan Cobham’s Flying Circus, and these sparked his early interest in aviation.

As Europe moved toward war, Duke tried to join the Fleet Air Arm on his 18th birthday, but was turned down. Undeterred, he joined the Royal Air Force in June 1940 as a cadet. After training he was commissioned and, by early 1941, posted to No. 92 Squadron, based at Biggin Hill. Flying Spitfires, he took part in operations over northern France. His first confirmed victory came over Dunkirk in mid-1941, when he shot down a Messerschmitt Bf 109.

By 1943-44, Duke had risen in rank and responsibility. He rejoined 92 Squadron, was appointed Flight Commander, and eventually took command of No. 145 Squadron in Italy, flying Spitfire Mk VIII aircraft. During this period he achieved further aerial victories, including some in close, dangerous engagements. One particularly dramatic incident occurred in June 1944 when his engine was hit by anti-aircraft fire; he attempted to bail out, but his harness became snagged. He ended up landing in Lake Bracciano, nearly drowning until Italian partisans rescued him.

By the end of the war, Duke had flown approximately 486 operational sorties and accrued some 712 operational hours. His official tally of destroyed enemy aircraft stood at 27, with additional shared kills, probables, and damaged aircraft. He was the highest scoring RAF fighter pilot in the Mediterranean Theatre.

Honours, Later Life and Legacy

Duke was decorated multiple times for his gallantry and service:

Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) and two Bars for combat accomplishments.
Distinguished Service Order (DSO) awarded for leadership in action.
Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE) for his contributions to test flying and supersonic/record flight.
Air Force Cross (AFC) for test flight work at high speed and altitude.

After stepping away from high-risk test-flying, he remained active in aviation: he founded Duke Aviation Limited in 1960; worked as a freelance aviation consultant; served as personal pilot to Sir George Dowty; carried out test flying for smaller aircraft in later years; and wrote several books including Test Pilot, The Sound Barrier, The Crowded Sky and The War Diaries of Neville Duke.

Duke also contributed to preserving aviation heritage, especially at the Tangmere Military Aviation Museum, where his record-breaking Hawker Hunter is on display. He received numerous honours in later life, including the Royal Aero Club’s Gold Medal, election as a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society, and the Air League’s Jeffrey Quill Medal.

On 7 April 2007, at age 85, Duke flew with his wife in their private aircraft but fell ill. He managed to land safely, but died later that evening from a ruptured aortic aneurysm.

Neville Duke remains remembered not just for his combat record, but for his courage as a test pilot pushing boundaries, his modest demeanour, and for inspiring a generation in the post-war era when aviation was transforming rapidly.