The son of a Scottish mining Engineer, Walter Frame Gibb was born near Port Talbot, Wales, on 26 March 1919.
16 Facts About Walter Gibb
1.
2.
Walter Gibb attended Clifton College before joining the aero-engine Division of the BAC as an apprentice mechanic in 1937, before joining the RAF in May 1940 as a pilot.
3.
Walter Gibb instructed at 54 OTU until June 1942, before attachment to No 125 Squadron in February and March 1942.
4.
Walter Gibb's squadron saw action over Northern France in the lead-up to the Invasion in 1944.
5.
Walter Gibb's Squadron suppressed the light flak and searchlights en route to aid the low flying Lancaster bombers.
6.
Walter Gibb was promoted to wing commander and was given command of No 239 Squadron in No 100 Group, flying bomber support missions into Germany in 1945.
7.
Walter Gibb claimed five enemy night fighter aircraft shot down.
8.
Walter Gibb was awarded the Distinguished Service Order in May 1945, and left the RAF in January 1946.
9.
Walter Gibb was the co-pilot for Bill Pegg during the Bristol Brabazon's maiden flight, and then flew it with himself in command, during which the large aircraft suffered hydraulic failure, and made an emergency landing without flaps.
10.
Walter Gibb flew his Canberra up to this record height knowing he would possibly pass out due to the altitude, but would regain consciousness to safely land his Canberra.
11.
Walter Gibb trained airline pilots in the Britannia, and retired from Test Flying in 1960.
12.
Walter Gibb then became Head of Service and Technical Support for the British Aircraft Company, and later became Chairman for British Aerospace Australia in 1978.
13.
Walter Gibb married Sylvia Reed, whom he met during his RAF service.
14.
Walter Gibb was a flight officer at the operations room at RAF North Weald.
15.
Walter Gibb was a member of the Thornbury Sailing Club, sailing until the age of 83.
16.
Walter Gibb was twice the club's commodore, long serving vice-president, and later became the club president.