Harry Methuen Schofield (November 1899 – December 1955) was a British test pilot who participated in the

Schneider Trophy The Coupe d'Aviation Maritime Jacques Schneider, also known as the Schneider Trophy, Schneider Prize or (incorrectly) the Schneider Cup is a trophy that was awarded annually (and later, biennially) to the winner of a race for seaplanes and flyin ...

competition in 1927, and who won the

King's Cup Air Race The King's Cup air race is a British handicapped cross-country event, which has taken place annually since 1922. It is run by the Royal Aero Club Records Racing and Rally Association. The King's Cup is one of the most prestigious prizes of the ...

in 1934. Harry Schofield was born in Battersea, and educated at secondary school there. In 1917, he started his career in the Royal Naval Air Service, that in April 1918 merged with the Royal Flying Corps to form the

Royal Air Force The Royal Air Force (RAF) is the United Kingdom's air and space force. It was formed towards the end of the First World War on 1 April 1918, becoming the first independent air force in the world, by regrouping the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) an ...

. He served with distinction during World War I in Italy, Albania, Salonica (Thessaloniki), Mudros and Malta.

Demobbed Demobilization or demobilisation (see spelling differences) is the process of standing down a nation's armed forces from combat-ready status. This may be as a result of victory in war, or because a crisis has been peacefully resolved and milita ...

at the end of the war, Schofield spent four years building church organs before rejoining the RAF, in which he served as a flying instructor with No. 24 Squadron. In 1927, he was one of five pilots chosen to represent the United Kingdom in the

speed competition for seaplanes, held that year at

Venice Venice ( ; it, Venezia ; vec, Venesia or ) is a city in northeastern Italy and the capital of the Veneto region. It is built on a group of 118 small islands that are separated by canals and linked by over 400 bridges. The isla ...

, Italy. On 11 September 1927, he crashed in the practice aircraft, Short Crusader (N226). The primary cause was later determined to be crossed aileron controls during its reassembly at Venice. On 1 November 1929, he was promoted from Flying Officer to Flight Lieutenant. After leaving the RAF, he continued as a

RAF Reserve The Regular Reserve is the component of the military reserve of the British Armed Forces whose members have formerly served in the " Regular" (full-time professional) forces. (Other components of the Reserve are the Volunteer Reserves and the Spon ...

pilot (at least until 1937), and continued to be referred to in public as Flt Lt H.M. Schofield.)Lewis (1970) He served as chief pilot with

General Aircraft Ltd General Aircraft Limited was a British aircraft manufacturer from its formation in 1931 to amalgamation with Blackburn Aircraft in 1949 to become Blackburn and General. Its main products were military gliders and light transport aircraft. His ...

, that had been formed in 1931 to produce the aircraft designed by Helmut J Stieger, head of the associated firm Mono-Spar Company Ltd. In May 1932, at

Croydon Aerodrome Croydon Airport (former ICAO code: EGCR) was the UK's only international airport during the interwar period. Located in Croydon, South London, England, it opened in 1920, built in a Neoclassical style, and was developed as Britain's main ai ...

, Schofield piloted the maiden flight of the prototype (G-ABUZ) of the Monospar ST-4, the company's first aircraft designed for production and sale. In March 1934, he was appointed Director and General Manager of General Aircraft Ltd. On 14 July 1934, he won the King's Cup Race at

Hatfield Aerodrome Hatfield Aerodrome was a private airfield and aircraft factory located in the English town of Hatfield in Hertfordshire from 1930 until its closure and redevelopment in the 1990s. Early history Geoffrey de Havilland, pioneering aircraft desi ...

in a GAL Monospar ST-10 (G-ACTS). In October 1934, he was appointed Director and General Manager of a new company, General Aircraft Limited (GAL), that combined the functions of the two earlier companies. On 16 Nov 1935, he piloted the maiden flight of the GAL Monospar ST-18 at Hanworth Aerodrome.Jackson (1974) Schofield published two books, one co-written with ''Biggles'' author W.E. Johns, finally giving up flying as a result of several serious head injuries sustained throughout his flying career. Married with four children, Schofield turned to farming during World War II, before suffering a massive stroke from which he never fully recovered. He was cremated at Putney Vale Crematorium.

Notes

References

*Jackson, A.J. 1974. ''British Civil Aircraft since 1919 Volume 2''. Putnam. *Lewis,Peter. 1970. ''British Racing and Record-Breaking Aircraft''. Putnam. *Schofield, H.M. 1932. ''High Speed and Other Flights''. John Hamilton Ltd. ASIN B00086FLS2 *Schofield, H.M. and Johns W.E. 1932. ''The Pictorial Flying Course''. John Hamilton Ltd. ASIN B0017X4WGC {{DEFAULTSORT:Schofield, Harry Methuen 1899 births 1955 deaths English test pilots Royal Naval Air Service personnel of World War I Royal Air Force officers Schneider Trophy pilots Royal Air Force personnel of World War I