ROLLS-ROYCE From the Wings 1925-1971 Military Aviation

Ronnie Harker served Rolls-Royce from 1925-71; forty-five years of unparalleled advances in technology and performance in aviation.

The author and his contemporaries in engineering and aircraft design were involved with pre-war rearmament, wartime development, and supersonic’s post-war advance into the jet and V/STOL era.

The narrative describes the vital part that Rolls-Royce played in the development of military aircraft in World War II; how a most successful family of aero engines evolved from the kestrel to become the ’R’engine which won the Schneider Trophy for Britain and the Merlin engine which powered all the British fighters in the Battle of Britain, and also the Lancaster, Halifax and Mosquito bombers.

Probably the most significant personal contribution made by the author at this time was his realization that the Merlin engine should be installed into the Mustang aeroplane. The Merlin Mustang became the most successful all-purpose fighter of the War and effectively turned the tide of the War in our favour.

When the War ended, a very serious slump in aircraft production was averted by the emergence of the jet engine, pioneered by Sir Frank Whittle and Rolls-Royce. The RAF had to be re-equipped and Rolls-Royce soon established a valuable export market in America and France (and inadvertently the USSR!)

A civil market too was opened up and keen competition soon materialized with the US engine makers, who, by taking licences from Rolls-Royce, had quickly learned the necessary technology to produce them.

Ronald Harker was born in Tynemouth, Northumberland, the younger son of W. E. Harker O.B.E., a Surgeon Captain and Chief Medical Officer of Tyne ports, and grandson of Alderman W. E. Harker who began the well-known family business, W. E. Harker Ltd Furnishing Co., of Newcastle upon Tyne.

The author was educated at Sherborne Preparatory School and Shrewsbury School, leaving to join Rolls-Royce Ltd in 1925 as a premium apprentice. This was the beginning of his long and eventful career with Rolls-Royce.

He became a test pilot in 1935 and was a member of the Auxiliary Air Force in 1931-45. He was Export Sales Manager from 1947-52, Military and Industrial Liaison Officer from 1952-57 and finally Military Aviation Adviser from 1957-71.

He received an OBE for his services to Military Aviation in 1964. Married with two daughters, he lived in Nottinghamshire for most of his married life, moving to Hertfordshire and then to central London in 1962. His hobbies are working, boating, painting, fishing and travelling.

Ronald Harker is still active in aviation as an independent aviation consultant, being retained by several leading companies in the aerospace industry. He is a Freeman of the City of London, an Air League Council Member and a Liveryman of the Guild of Air Pilots.