Whitney Straight
Encyclopedia
Air Commodore
Whitney Willard Straight CBE
, MC
, DFC (6 November 1912 – 5 April 1979) was a Grand Prix motor racing
driver, aviator, businessman, and a member of the prominent Whitney family
of the United States
.
Born in New York
, Whitney Straight was the son of Major Willard Dickerman Straight
and heiress Dorothy Payne Whitney
. He was almost six years old when his father died in France
of influenza
during the great epidemic
while serving with the United States Army
during World War I
. Following his mother's remarriage to British
agronomist Leonard K. Elmhirst
in 1925, the family moved to England
. They lived at Dartington Hall
where he attended the progressive school founded by his parents. His education was completed at Trinity College
, Cambridge
.
On 17 July 1935 he married Lady Daphne Margarita Finch-Hatton, daughter of the 14th Earl of Winchilsea, and they had two daughters.
Whitney Straight was also the father of Barney Barnato Walker (born 1947), whose mother was noted aviatrix Diana Barnato Walker
, MBE
, the first British woman to break the sound barrier (Source - "Spreading My Wings" by Diana Barnato-Walker).
driver and competed at events in the UK and Europe. He competed in more Grands Prix than any American until after World War II
. Straight started competing in 1931 with a Brooklands Riley competing at Shelsley Walsh
, Southport and Brooklands circuit.
In 1933 driving a black and silver Maserati
he won the Mountain Championship at Brooklands
, the Mont Ventoux Hill Climb
(September 3) and the Brighton Speed Trials
(September 16). He also won the 1100 c.c. class in the Coppa Acerbo
, held at Pescara, Italy, driving an M.G. Magnette. In 1934 he formed his own motor racing team, personally driving to victory in the South African Grand Prix
, held on the 16-mile Buffalo circuit in East London. He also gave public demonstrations at Brooklands
Racing Circuit achieving a speed of 138.7 mph, a record for 5 litre class cars.
During World War II
, Whitney Straight served as a Royal Air Force
pilot. He was sent to Norway in April 1940 to find frozen lakes suitable for use as airfields. Lake Lesjaskog was utilised by 263 Squadron during the Invasion of Norway as a result.
Straight was seriously wounded during a German bombing raid in Norway.
For his service in Norway we was awarded the Krigskorset med Sverd or Norwegian War Cross with sword
in 1942.
After convalescing he next served with No. 601 Squadron RAF
in the Battle of Britain
. From September 1940 until April 1941 he was credited with two aircraft destroyed. He then became CO of 242 Squadron, bringing his total to 3 and 1 shared ( with 2 'probables') by late July 1941. Early in 1941 he was awarded a Military Cross
for his work in Norway.
He was shot down by flak over France
on 31 July 1941 and initially evaded capture. Through the French Underground
, he made his way to unoccupied Vichy France where he was captured and put in a POW camp. However he escaped on 22 June 1942 and with the aid of the French Resistance reached safety in Gibraltar
.
In September 1942, now as an Air Commodore, he was sent to the Middle East joining HQ, No. 216 Group, as AOC.
At war's end, he returned to the UK becoming AOC, 46 Group in June 1945. He was released from the RAF in late 1945, and he became chairman of the Royal Aero Club
. In July 1947 he became managing director and Chief Executive Officer of British Overseas Airways Corporation
.
In 1949 was appointed deputy Chairman of the board. In the United States his cousin Cornelius Vanderbilt Whitney
was the President of Aviation Corporation of America which became Pan American Airways.
Later Whitney Straight joined Rolls-Royce
as deputy Chairman, and it was while visiting Peking, China
in 1958 that Straight was horrified to discover that the Russian MiG 15
planes were powered by Soviet-built versions of the Rolls-Royce Derwent and Nene
jet engines. Russia
had been provided with 40 of these engines under an export license provided by the Labour government of Prime Minister
Clement Attlee
after the war. Straight tried unsuccessfully to claim back £200 million from Russia in royalties.
He donated the Whitney Straight Award in 1967 to the Royal Aeronautical Society to recognise the achievement and status of women in aviation.
Whitney Straight died in Fulham
in 1979 at the age of sixty-six.
Air Commodore
Air commodore is an air-officer rank which originated in and continues to be used by the Royal Air Force...
Whitney Willard Straight CBE
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
, MC
Military Cross
The Military Cross is the third-level military decoration awarded to officers and other ranks of the British Armed Forces; and formerly also to officers of other Commonwealth countries....
, DFC (6 November 1912 – 5 April 1979) was a Grand Prix motor racing
Grand Prix motor racing
Grand Prix motor racing has its roots in organised automobile racing that began in France as far back as 1894. It quickly evolved from a simple road race from one town to the next, to endurance tests for car and driver...
driver, aviator, businessman, and a member of the prominent Whitney family
Whitney family
The Whitney family is an American family notable for their social prominence, wealth, business enterprises and philanthropy, founded by John Whitney who came from London, England to Watertown, Massachusetts in 1635.-Rise to prominence:...
of the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
Born in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, Whitney Straight was the son of Major Willard Dickerman Straight
Willard Straight
Willard Dickerman Straight was an American investment banker, publisher, reporter and diplomat.-Biography:...
and heiress Dorothy Payne Whitney
Dorothy Payne Whitney
Dorothy Payne Whitney was an American-born social activist and philanthropist and a member of the prominent Whitney family.-Biography:...
. He was almost six years old when his father died in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
of influenza
Influenza
Influenza, commonly referred to as the flu, is an infectious disease caused by RNA viruses of the family Orthomyxoviridae , that affects birds and mammals...
during the great epidemic
Spanish flu
The 1918 flu pandemic was an influenza pandemic, and the first of the two pandemics involving H1N1 influenza virus . It was an unusually severe and deadly pandemic that spread across the world. Historical and epidemiological data are inadequate to identify the geographic origin...
while serving with the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
during World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
. Following his mother's remarriage to British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
agronomist Leonard K. Elmhirst
Leonard K. Elmhirst
Leonard Knight Elmhirst was a philanthropist and agronomist who worked extensively in India. He was co-founder with his wife Dorothy of the Dartington Hall project in progressive education and rural reconstruction....
in 1925, the family moved to England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. They lived at Dartington Hall
Dartington Hall
The Dartington Hall Trust, near Totnes, Devon, United Kingdom is a charity specialising in the arts, social justice and sustainability.The Trust currently runs 16 charitable programmes, including The Dartington International Summer School and Schumacher Environmental College...
where he attended the progressive school founded by his parents. His education was completed at Trinity College
Trinity College, Cambridge
Trinity College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge. Trinity has more members than any other college in Cambridge or Oxford, with around 700 undergraduates, 430 graduates, and over 170 Fellows...
, Cambridge
University of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge is a public research university located in Cambridge, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest university in both the United Kingdom and the English-speaking world , and the seventh-oldest globally...
.
On 17 July 1935 he married Lady Daphne Margarita Finch-Hatton, daughter of the 14th Earl of Winchilsea, and they had two daughters.
Whitney Straight was also the father of Barney Barnato Walker (born 1947), whose mother was noted aviatrix Diana Barnato Walker
Diana Barnato Walker
Diana Barnato Walker MBE FRAeS was an English aviatrix and horse rider, the first British woman to break the sound barrier.-Biography:...
, MBE
MBE
MBE can stand for:* Mail Boxes Etc.* Management by exception* Master of Bioethics* Master of Bioscience Enterprise* Master of Business Engineering* Master of Business Economics* Mean Biased Error...
, the first British woman to break the sound barrier (Source - "Spreading My Wings" by Diana Barnato-Walker).
Motor racing
While still an undergraduate at Cambridge, he became a well known Grand Prix motor racingGrand Prix motor racing
Grand Prix motor racing has its roots in organised automobile racing that began in France as far back as 1894. It quickly evolved from a simple road race from one town to the next, to endurance tests for car and driver...
driver and competed at events in the UK and Europe. He competed in more Grands Prix than any American until after World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. Straight started competing in 1931 with a Brooklands Riley competing at Shelsley Walsh
Shelsley Walsh Speed Hill Climb
The Shelsley Walsh Speed Hill Climb is a hillclimb in Worcestershire, England, organised by the Midland Automobile Club . It is one of the oldest motorsport events in the world, and is in fact the oldest to have been staged continuously on its original course, first having been run in 1905...
, Southport and Brooklands circuit.
In 1933 driving a black and silver Maserati
Maserati
Maserati is an Italian luxury car manufacturer established on December 1, 1914, in Bologna. The company's headquarters is now in Modena, and its emblem is a trident. It has been owned by the Italian car giant Fiat S.p.A. since 1993...
he won the Mountain Championship at Brooklands
Brooklands
Brooklands was a motor racing circuit and aerodrome built near Weybridge in Surrey, England. It opened in 1907, and was the world's first purpose-built motorsport venue, as well as one of Britain's first airfields...
, the Mont Ventoux Hill Climb
Mont Ventoux Hill Climb
Mont Ventoux Hill Climb is a car and motorcycle race course near Avignon in France. The course of the Mont Ventoux Hill Climb starts from the village of Bédoin and rises 5,289 feet for 13.4 miles to the observatory at the summit....
(September 3) and the Brighton Speed Trials
Brighton Speed Trials
The Brighton Speed Trials, in full The Brighton National Speed Trials, is commonly held to be the oldest running motor race. The first race was held July 19–22, 1905 after Sir Harry Preston persuaded Brighton town council to tarmac the surface of the road adjacent to the beach between the Palace...
(September 16). He also won the 1100 c.c. class in the Coppa Acerbo
Coppa Acerbo
The Coppa Acerbo was an automobile race held in Italy, named after Tito Acerbo, the brother of Giacomo Acerbo, a prominent fascist politician. Following Italy's defeat in World War II, and the consequent demise of fascism, the race was renamed the Circuito di Pescara, and in some years was also...
, held at Pescara, Italy, driving an M.G. Magnette. In 1934 he formed his own motor racing team, personally driving to victory in the South African Grand Prix
South African Grand Prix
The South African Grand Prix was first run as a Grand Prix motor racing handicap race in 1934 at the Prince George Circuit at East London, Eastern Cape Province...
, held on the 16-mile Buffalo circuit in East London. He also gave public demonstrations at Brooklands
Brooklands
Brooklands was a motor racing circuit and aerodrome built near Weybridge in Surrey, England. It opened in 1907, and was the world's first purpose-built motorsport venue, as well as one of Britain's first airfields...
Racing Circuit achieving a speed of 138.7 mph, a record for 5 litre class cars.
Flying
Flying was also a passion, and while 16 years old (still too young for a pilot's licence) he had already accumulated over 60 hours solo flight. In his early 20s, as head of the Straight Corporation Limited, he operated airfields throughout Britain and ran flying clubs. In 1936 he helped develop the Miles Whitney Straight aircraft. He became a naturalised British citizen that year. On 18 October 1938 the Straight Corporation purchased control of Norman Edgar (Western Airways), Ltd. and renamed it Western Airways Ltd.During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, Whitney Straight served as a 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...
pilot. He was sent to Norway in April 1940 to find frozen lakes suitable for use as airfields. Lake Lesjaskog was utilised by 263 Squadron during the Invasion of Norway as a result.
Straight was seriously wounded during a German bombing raid in Norway.
For his service in Norway we was awarded the Krigskorset med Sverd or Norwegian War Cross with sword
War Cross with sword
The War Cross with Sword is the highest ranking Norwegian gallantry decoration. It is awarded for extraordinary brave actions or extraordinary leadership during combat. A recipient deemed worthy of additional citations will receive up to an additional two swords on the medal ribbon in addition to...
in 1942.
After convalescing he next served with No. 601 Squadron RAF
No. 601 Squadron RAF
No. 601 Squadron was a squadron of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force, based in London. The squadron battle honours most notably include the Battle of Britain and the first Americans to fly in World War II were members of this squadron.-History:...
in the Battle of Britain
Battle of Britain
The Battle of Britain is the name given to the World War II air campaign waged by the German Air Force against the United Kingdom during the summer and autumn of 1940...
. From September 1940 until April 1941 he was credited with two aircraft destroyed. He then became CO of 242 Squadron, bringing his total to 3 and 1 shared ( with 2 'probables') by late July 1941. Early in 1941 he was awarded a Military Cross
Military Cross
The Military Cross is the third-level military decoration awarded to officers and other ranks of the British Armed Forces; and formerly also to officers of other Commonwealth countries....
for his work in Norway.
He was shot down by flak over France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
on 31 July 1941 and initially evaded capture. Through the French Underground
French Resistance
The French Resistance is the name used to denote the collection of French resistance movements that fought against the Nazi German occupation of France and against the collaborationist Vichy régime during World War II...
, he made his way to unoccupied Vichy France where he was captured and put in a POW camp. However he escaped on 22 June 1942 and with the aid of the French Resistance reached safety in Gibraltar
Gibraltar
Gibraltar is a British overseas territory located on the southern end of the Iberian Peninsula at the entrance of the Mediterranean. A peninsula with an area of , it has a northern border with Andalusia, Spain. The Rock of Gibraltar is the major landmark of the region...
.
In September 1942, now as an Air Commodore, he was sent to the Middle East joining HQ, No. 216 Group, as AOC.
At war's end, he returned to the UK becoming AOC, 46 Group in June 1945. He was released from the RAF in late 1945, and he became chairman of the Royal Aero Club
Royal Aero Club
The Royal Aero Club is the national co-ordinating body for Air Sport in the United Kingdom.The Aero Club was founded in 1901 by Frank Hedges Butler, his daughter Vera and the Hon Charles Rolls , partly inspired by the Aero Club of France...
. In July 1947 he became managing director and Chief Executive Officer of British Overseas Airways Corporation
British Overseas Airways Corporation
The British Overseas Airways Corporation was the British state airline from 1939 until 1946 and the long-haul British state airline from 1946 to 1974. The company started life with a merger between Imperial Airways Ltd. and British Airways Ltd...
.
In 1949 was appointed deputy Chairman of the board. In the United States his cousin Cornelius Vanderbilt Whitney
Cornelius Vanderbilt Whitney
Cornelius Vanderbilt Whitney was an American businessman, film producer, writer, and government official, as well as the owner of a leading stable of thoroughbred racehorses....
was the President of Aviation Corporation of America which became Pan American Airways.
Later Whitney Straight joined Rolls-Royce
Rolls-Royce Limited
Rolls-Royce Limited was a renowned British car and, from 1914 on, aero-engine manufacturing company founded by Charles Stewart Rolls and Henry Royce on 15 March 1906 as the result of a partnership formed in 1904....
as deputy Chairman, and it was while visiting Peking, China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
in 1958 that Straight was horrified to discover that the Russian MiG 15
Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15
The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15 was a jet fighter developed for the USSR by Artem Mikoyan and Mikhail Gurevich. The MiG-15 was one of the first successful swept-wing jet fighters, and it achieved fame in the skies over Korea, where early in the war, it outclassed all straight-winged enemy fighters in...
planes were powered by Soviet-built versions of the Rolls-Royce Derwent and Nene
Rolls-Royce Nene
|-See also:-References:NotesBibliography* Bridgman, L, Jane's fighting aircraft of World War II. Crescent. ISBN 0-517-67964-7-External links:* *...
jet engines. Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
had been provided with 40 of these engines under an export license provided by the Labour government of Prime Minister
Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is the Head of Her Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom. The Prime Minister and Cabinet are collectively accountable for their policies and actions to the Sovereign, to Parliament, to their political party and...
Clement Attlee
Clement Attlee
Clement Richard Attlee, 1st Earl Attlee, KG, OM, CH, PC, FRS was a British Labour politician who served as the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1945 to 1951, and as the Leader of the Labour Party from 1935 to 1955...
after the war. Straight tried unsuccessfully to claim back £200 million from Russia in royalties.
He donated the Whitney Straight Award in 1967 to the Royal Aeronautical Society to recognise the achievement and status of women in aviation.
Whitney Straight died in Fulham
Fulham
Fulham is an area of southwest London in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham, SW6 located south west of Charing Cross. It lies on the left bank of the Thames, between Putney and Chelsea. The area is identified in the London Plan as one of 35 major centres in Greater London...
in 1979 at the age of sixty-six.
Honours and awards
- Commander of the Order of the British Empire - 8 June 1944
- Military CrossMilitary CrossThe Military Cross is the third-level military decoration awarded to officers and other ranks of the British Armed Forces; and formerly also to officers of other Commonwealth countries....
- 1 January 1941 - Distinguished Flying CrossDistinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)The Distinguished Flying Cross is a military decoration awarded to personnel of the United Kingdom's Royal Air Force and other services, and formerly to officers of other Commonwealth countries, for "an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying in active operations against...
- 8 August 1941 - Mentioned in Despatches - 1 Jan 1943
- Norwegian War Cross with Sword (Norway) - 18 Dec 1942
- Officer of the Legion of MeritLegion of MeritThe Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements...
(United States) - 15 Mar 1946 - Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts
- Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society