24 Facts About Ken Wallis

Ken Wallis later became one of the leading exponents of autogyros and earned 34 world records, still holding eight of them at the time of his death in 2013.

Ken Wallis developed a practical interest in mechanics, building a motorcycle at the age of 11.

Ken Wallis abandoned construction because of widespread adverse publicity about fatal accidents that implied inadequate design of the type.

Ken Wallis took an interest in powerboats which he kept up until 1957, when he won the 56-mile long Missouri Marathon.

Ken Wallis applied for the RAF's Volunteer Reserve Service but was turned away because of an issue with his right eye.

In 1938, Ken Wallis again tried to join the RAF, but failed the eye test.

Ken Wallis was commissioned in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve on 28 December 1940 as a pilot officer, with seniority in that rank from 1 December 1940.

Ken Wallis's commission was confirmed on 28 December 1941 and he was promoted to flying officer with seniority from 1 December 1941.

Ken Wallis was promoted to flight lieutenant on 28 December 1942, with seniority from 1 December 1942.

Ken Wallis subsequently served in Italy and on secondment to the United States Strategic Air Command, where he flew the massive Convair B-36, which had six piston engines and four auxiliary jet engines.

Ken Wallis was given a permanent commission on 22 June 1948, allowing him to serve until retirement.

Ken Wallis was promoted to squadron leader on 1 January 1953, and to wing commander on 1 July 1958.

Ken Wallis left the RAF in 1964, retiring to Norfolk.

Ken Wallis who lived at Reymerston Hall, Norfolk produced autogyros for, in his own words, "reconnaissance, research and development, surveillance and military purposes", and his designs were not available for enthusiasts as he considered that although the design is simple, it has to be built to the appropriate standards.

Ken Wallis had the help of Beagle Aircraft in building five Ken Wallis WA-116 autogyros at Shoreham in 1962 for evaluation by the British Army.

Ken Wallis worked as Sean Connery's stunt pilot in the 1967 James Bond film You Only Live Twice, where he flew one of his WA-116s named Little Nellie.

Between 2006 and 2009, Ken Wallis took part in filming for Into the Wind, a documentary by Steven Hatton featuring the experiences and memories of wartime members of Bomber Command.

The film, released in 2012, features Ken Wallis demonstrating several of his autogyro designs.

Ken Wallis was the President of the Norfolk and Suffolk Aviation Museum, and Patron of the Wolf Preservation Foundation.

Ken Wallis was the recognized world record holder for many categories of autogyro records over the years, and was recognized as the oldest pilot to set a world flight record at the age of 89.

Ken Wallis held most of the autogyro world records during his autogyro flying career.

Ken Wallis appeared as himself on an episode of Tell The Truth dated 9 November 1984, discussing his autogyro record.

In July 2013, Ken Wallis received the Bomber Command clasp to his 1939 to 1945 Star for his 28 bomber missions over Germany during World War II.

Ken Wallis was married to Peggy Stapley, a Women's Auxiliary Air Force veteran, from 1942 to her death in 2003.