Autogiro Pioneer: The Life of Jack Richardson

Description

'Autogiro Pioneer' is a vivid account of the varied life and adventures of Jack Richardson (1899-1987). The book is based on his memoirs, which have been edited by his son. In the 1930s he worked for Juan de la Cierva, the inventor of the Autogiro (the forerunner of the helicopter), and was the first person to obtain a commercial pilot's licence as an Autogiro pilot. This work involved (among other activities) several hazardous flights across Europe in all kinds of weather. In 1944 he learnt how to fly the new Sikorsky helicopters in the United States, and became the first fully-trained helicopter pilot in the British Army. In his later career with the Army and with Westland Aircraft he helped to develop the military and commercial uses of the helicopter, played a major role in the construction of the Heliport at Battersea, and was Chairman of The Helicopter Association. As a young man he had been a cavalry officer in the Ninth Lancers, and for seven years a successful orange farmer In South Africa. He was a keen racing skier and amateur painter. The book is illustrated with 100 pictures in black and white and in colour.

Nicholas Richardson was born in 1940, and educated at Winchester College, and Magdalen College, Oxford. From 1968 to 2004 he taught Classics (ancient Greek and Latin Literature) at Merton College, Oxford, and from 2004 to 2007 was Warden of Greyfriars Hall in Oxford. His previous publications include books and articles on ancient Greek and Roman literature, religion and culture, and on modern Greek poetry. He used to be a keen skier, and still plays real tennis.