Mike Lithgow
British aviator and test pilot (1920–1963)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Michael John Lithgow, OBE (30 August 1920 – 22 October 1963) was a British aviator and chief test pilot for Vickers Supermarine who became the holder of the World Absolute Air Speed Record in 1953 flying a Supermarine Swift. He died when the prototype BAC One-Eleven airliner crashed in 1963.
Michael John "Mike" Lithgow | |
|---|---|
Lithgow beside the new Vickers Supermarine 508 twin jet experimental naval fighter. 24 May 1952 | |
| Born | 30 August 1920 |
| Died | 22 October 1963 (aged 43) |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Branch |  Royal Navy |
| Service years | 1939–1945 |
| Rank | Lieutenant Commander |
| Conflicts | World War II |
| Awards | OBE |
Early life
Mike Lithgow was born on 30 August 1920 and educated at Cheltenham College.[1]
Second World War
Lithgow was a member of the Fleet Air Arm from March 1939 – December 1945. As a Lieutenant Commander on HMS Ark Royal, he flew Swordfish torpedo bombers and was one of the pilots attacking the German battleship Bismarck.[2]
Later in the war, while serving on HMS Formidable in the Indian Ocean, Lithgow's Fairey Albacore crashed into the sea after suffering engine failure on a night-flying exercise. He and the other crew of the aircraft were saved when Admiral James Somerville ordered the carrier to turn around and carry out a search for them.[2]
Test pilot
He retired from the Royal Navy and moved to Vickers Supermarine as a test pilot in January 1946 and became the company's chief test pilot two years later.
In September 1946, he took part in the Lympne high speed air race, flying a Supermarine Seafang, competing against Bill Humble in a Hawker Fury, Geoffrey de Havilland in a D.H. Vampire and G.H Pike in a D.H. Hornet[3]
On 26 September 1953, flying the Supermarine Swift F.4 prototype, WK198, Lithgow broke the World Air Speed Record near Tripoli in Libya, reaching a speed of 735.7 mph (1184 km/h). He was awarded the Gold Medal of the Royal Aero Club and the Geoffrey de Havilland Trophy in 1953[4]
He did extensive test flying on the Supermarine Attacker, Swift, Scimitar and later the Vickers Vanguard and BAC One-Eleven.[4]
Lithgow died test flying the prototype BAC One-Eleven G-ASHG from Wisley airfield on 22 October 1963 when during stall tests the aircraft entered a deep stall and crashed near Chicklade, Wiltshire. Six other BAC flight test team members were also killed.[5]
