Title
The British Space Programme
Reference
YA2007.25/2/3/9
Production date
-03-1960 - -04-1960
Creator
- Allen, JohnBiographyBiography
(fl 1930-2006), aviation engineer
John Allen was educated at state schools in London, taking a BSc in aeronautical engineering at London University; he earned top prizes in his discipline. A student apprenticeship with Handley Page honed his practical skills. Allen was science officer with the Marine Experimental Research Establishment (MAEE) at Rhu, Scotland. When the unit returned to Felixstowe in 1945 he was appointed head of its technical office.
John supervised the ballistics and aircraft integration of Blue Danube, Britain's first atomic bomb, at Farnborough from 1950 until 1954. From 1960 he was deputy director of Avro's new weapon research division, working on development of the hydrogen bomb. In 1969 John was appointed chief future projects engineer with Hawker Siddeley, involved particularly with development of Harrier and Hawk aircraft that for decades made an impact while training or giving displays with the Red Arrows formation team
John married Peggy Heath in 1948 and they had two sons who became engineers, and four grandchildren. Peggy died in 1987.
Scope and Content
A reprinted article titled 'The British Space Programme' from Impulse, Issue No. 10, providing a brief overview of the history and current state of the British Space Programme with projected development times and comment on Britain's role in the wider space race. Stapled to the inside cover are two photocopied newspaper articles on the Secret Avro stand-off bomb being designed as a way to propel satellites into space.
Language
English
Level of description
ITEM
Repository name
Science and Industry Museum
Associated people and organisations
- Allen, JohnBiographyBiography
(fl 1930-2006), aviation engineer
John Allen was educated at state schools in London, taking a BSc in aeronautical engineering at London University; he earned top prizes in his discipline. A student apprenticeship with Handley Page honed his practical skills. Allen was science officer with the Marine Experimental Research Establishment (MAEE) at Rhu, Scotland. When the unit returned to Felixstowe in 1945 he was appointed head of its technical office.
John supervised the ballistics and aircraft integration of Blue Danube, Britain's first atomic bomb, at Farnborough from 1950 until 1954. From 1960 he was deputy director of Avro's new weapon research division, working on development of the hydrogen bomb. In 1969 John was appointed chief future projects engineer with Hawker Siddeley, involved particularly with development of Harrier and Hawk aircraft that for decades made an impact while training or giving displays with the Red Arrows formation team
John married Peggy Heath in 1948 and they had two sons who became engineers, and four grandchildren. Peggy died in 1987.
Subject
Conditions governing access
Open access.
Conditions governing Reproduction
Copies may be supplied in accordance with current copyright legislation and Science Museum Group terms and conditions.
