Harry Methuen Schofield
Encyclopedia
Harry Methuen Schofield was a British test pilot who participated in the Schneider Trophy
competition in 1927, and who won the King's Cup Air Race in 1934.
Harry Schofield was born in Battersea
, and educated at secondary school there. He started his career in 1917 in the Royal Naval Air Service
(that became the Royal Air Force
after merging with the Royal Flying Corps
on 1 April 1918), serving with distinction during World War I in Italy, Albania, Salonica (Thessaloniki), Mudros and Malta. Demobbed
at the end of the war, Schofield spent four years building church organs before rejoining the RAF, where he served as a flying instructor with No. 24 Squadron.
In 1927, he was one of five pilots chosen to represent the United Kingdom in the Schneider Trophy
competition, held that year at Venice, Italy. On 11 September 1927, he crashed in the practice aircraft, Short Crusader
(N226), attributed to crossed aileron controls, following its reassembly at Venice. On 1 November 1929, he was promoted from Flying Officer to Flight Lieutenant. After leaving the RAF, he continued as a RAF Reserve
pilot (at least until 1937), and continued to be referred to in public as Flt Lt H.M. Schofield.)
In May 1932, as test pilot for Mono-Spar Company Ltd, at Croydon Aerodrome Schofield piloted the maiden flight of the prototype (G-ABUZ) of the Monospar ST-4, the company's first aircraft designed for production and sale. In March 1934, he was appointed Director and General Manager of Mono-Spar Company Ltd. On 14 July 1934, he won the King's Cup Race at Hatfield Aerodrome
in a GAL Monospar ST-10
(G-ACTS). On 16 Nov 1935, he piloted the maiden flight of the GAL
Monospar ST-18 at Hanworth Aerodrome.
Schofield published two books, one co-written with Biggles author W.E. Johns, finally giving up flying as a result of several serious head injuries sustained throughout his flying career. Married with four children, Schofield turned to farming during World War II, before suffering a massive stroke from which he never fully recovered. He was cremated at Putney Vale Crematorium.
Schneider Trophy
The Coupe d'Aviation Maritime Jacques Schneider was a prize competition for seaplanes. Announced by Jacques Schneider, a financier, balloonist and aircraft enthusiast, in 1911, it offered a prize of roughly £1,000. The race was held eleven times between 1913 and 1931...
competition in 1927, and who won the King's Cup Air Race in 1934.
Harry Schofield was born in Battersea
Battersea
Battersea is an area of the London Borough of Wandsworth, England. It is an inner-city district of South London, situated on the south side of the River Thames, 2.9 miles south-west of Charing Cross. Battersea spans from Fairfield in the west to Queenstown in the east...
, and educated at secondary school there. He started his career in 1917 in the Royal Naval Air Service
Royal Naval Air Service
The Royal Naval Air Service or RNAS was the air arm of the Royal Navy until near the end of the First World War, when it merged with the British Army's Royal Flying Corps to form a new service , the Royal Air Force...
(that became the Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
after merging with the Royal Flying Corps
Royal Flying Corps
The Royal Flying Corps was the over-land air arm of the British military during most of the First World War. During the early part of the war, the RFC's responsibilities were centred on support of the British Army, via artillery co-operation and photographic reconnaissance...
on 1 April 1918), serving with distinction during World War I in Italy, Albania, Salonica (Thessaloniki), Mudros and Malta. Demobbed
Demobilization
Demobilization is the process of standing down a nation's armed forces from combat-ready status. This may be as a result of victory in war, or because a crisis has been peacefully resolved and military force will not be necessary...
at the end of the war, Schofield spent four years building church organs before rejoining the RAF, where he served as a flying instructor with No. 24 Squadron.
In 1927, he was one of five pilots chosen to represent the United Kingdom in the Schneider Trophy
Schneider Trophy
The Coupe d'Aviation Maritime Jacques Schneider was a prize competition for seaplanes. Announced by Jacques Schneider, a financier, balloonist and aircraft enthusiast, in 1911, it offered a prize of roughly £1,000. The race was held eleven times between 1913 and 1931...
competition, held that year at Venice, Italy. On 11 September 1927, he crashed in the practice aircraft, Short Crusader
Short Crusader
-See also:-References:*http://www.airracinghistory.freeola.com/aircraft/Short%20Crusader.htm accessed 23 April 2008...
(N226), attributed to crossed aileron controls, following its reassembly at Venice. On 1 November 1929, he was promoted from Flying Officer to Flight Lieutenant. After leaving the RAF, he continued as a RAF Reserve
Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
The Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve consists of a number of groupings of individual military reservists for the management and operation of the Royal Air Force's Air Training Corps and CCF Air Cadet formations, Volunteer Gliding Squadrons , Air Experience Flights, and also to form the...
pilot (at least until 1937), and continued to be referred to in public as Flt Lt H.M. Schofield.)
In May 1932, as test pilot for Mono-Spar Company Ltd, at Croydon Aerodrome Schofield piloted the maiden flight of the prototype (G-ABUZ) of the Monospar ST-4, the company's first aircraft designed for production and sale. In March 1934, he was appointed Director and General Manager of Mono-Spar Company Ltd. On 14 July 1934, he won the King's Cup Race at Hatfield Aerodrome
Hatfield Aerodrome
Hatfield Aerodrome, formerly , was an airfield and aircraft factory located in the town of Hatfield, Hertfordshire from 1930 until its closure and redevelopment in the 1990s.-Early history:...
in a GAL Monospar ST-10
General Aircraft Monospar
-Bibliography:*The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft . Orbis Publishing, 1985, p. 2158.*Jackson, A.J. 1973. British Civil Aircraft since 1919, Volume 2. Putnam ISBN 0370100107....
(G-ACTS). On 16 Nov 1935, he piloted the maiden flight of the GAL
General Aircraft Limited
General Aircraft Limited was a British aircraft manufacturer from its formation in 1931 to amalgamation with Blackburn Aircraft in 1949 to become Blackburn and General...
Monospar ST-18 at Hanworth Aerodrome.
Schofield published two books, one co-written with Biggles author W.E. Johns, finally giving up flying as a result of several serious head injuries sustained throughout his flying career. Married with four children, Schofield turned to farming during World War II, before suffering a massive stroke from which he never fully recovered. He was cremated at Putney Vale Crematorium.