brian trubshaw, born 1924
CONCORDE TEST PILOT
Brian Trubshaw’s grandfather and father managed the Western Tinplate family firm in Llanelli, Wales. Trubshaw was sent to boarding prep school in Twyford, then to Winchester College. On leaving school he joined the Royal Air Force. After training in the USA he joined Bomber Command and flew Sterling bombers during the latter stages of World War II. After the war he was selected as a pilot on the King’s Flight, flying members of the Royal Family all over the world. At 26 he left the RAF and joined the British Aircraft Corporation, joint manufacturers of Concorde, the first supersonic airliner. As their senior test pilot he flew the British Concorde on its first test flight. He rose within the company to become General Manager of the works at Filton, Bristol. He retired in 1986, at the age of 62, having flown more than 100 types of aircraft during his career.