David Ogilvy

Aviation claimed David at the age of eight when a Hawker Hart biplane buzzed his school, and it never released him.  One way or another it has been his career for three quarters of a century from the age of 18, and continues today. 

At the age of 22 he decided that an organisation was needed to co-ordinate the increasing interest in pre-war aircraft.  A meeting between Ogilvy and BEA Captain Ron Gillman led to a number of enthusiasts gathering around a warming fire in the clubhouse at White Waltham.  Outside, according to a contemporary report, was "an assortment of old and crusted aircraft and cars" including a Hornet and Puss Moths, an Aeronca 100 and G-ABEE, Ron Gillman's Avro Avian.  Captain Gillman was duly elected chairman, while Ogilvy became secretary of "The Vintage Aeroplane Club".  Its successor organisation, the Vintage Aircraft Club, remains very active today with David as its President.

On joining the Royal Air Force, David eschewed a better career path on 'modern' jets to fly his dream aircraft, the de Havilland Mosquito.  He flew the type from the late 1940s until 1963, becoming the last instructor for the Mosquito, and flying one in the film "633 Squadron".

Later in the 1960s he became general manager of the Shuttleworth Collection, where he not only flew most of the aircraft, but played a key role in turning the museum into one of the most significant collections of aircraft in the world.  He lists amongst his achievements during that period five aircraft restorations, two new hangars and an airfield extended in both directions.  Another claim to fame is that, with the late Neil Williams as pilot, he flew a circuit of the Old Warden aerodrome as passenger in, or on, the Collection's 1910 Bristol Boxkite!

As a professional flying instructor, David principally flew other people's aircraft, but he was particularly involved with Comper Swift G-ACTF, a 1933 racing aircraft which was originally named 'Scarlet Angel'.  It was originally registered to Assam tea planter Alban Ali and spent the first part of its life in India.  Ogilvy continued its racing career into the 1950s and coincidentally, the aircraft was acquired by the Shuttleworth Collection in 1996.

This is by no means David's first brush with the Transport Trust; he was a member of the Trusts governing Council for several years, and contributed regularly to the Trust's Digest Magazine.  His published writing record is significant with 11 books to his credit and at the age of 92, he is still writing!

David was the first recipient of the annual Darrol Stinton trophy, awarded by the Historic Aircraft Association to recognise outstanding individual achievement in the operation and preservation of historic aircraft and the National Transport Trust award is another well-earned accolade.