Goodbye, Dear Friend,

May There Be Clear Skies Ahead

Vale Alex Henshaw, MBE  1912 - 2007

It is my sad duty to report the passing of an old and dear friend

and one of the world's greated pilots, Alex Henshaw MBE.

I first met Alex during his visit to Canberra many years ago on behalf of the Spitfire Association, an occasion made more memorable by sharing a taxi to the event with another famous Spitfire Pilot, Wing Commander Bobby Gibbes, DSO, DFC and Bar.

Later I had the honour of sharing a table with two other former Australian

Spitfire Pilots, Ted Sly, DFC, MID and Bruce Watson DFC.

From that evening on Alex and I corresponded often by letter and telephone,

and I was honoured on two occasions to visit his lovely home Arberfield at Newmarket, UK with my wife Lesley .

Alex Henshaw was of course best known during WWII as the Chief Spitfire Test Pilot

at the Castle Bromwich Works.  He is not as well known for also test flying Lancaster Bombers (the only Pilot to succesfully roll the big bomber), Wellington Bombers,

Walrus and Sea Otter Flying Boats!

Before the War Alex was famous for winning the prestigious Kings Cup Air Race and most famous for a 1939 Solo London/Cape Town/London feat of navigation and endurance in a time that still stands to this day !!!

To do full justice to the many feats of Alex Henshaw, a very humble yet tenancious

man (he once saved a young man from drowning) would fill this web site, so please go to the following URL for more information :

http://www.wood-ditton.org.uk/alexhenshaw.htm

Alex, I will miss you terribly

Trevor Dean