W. E. W. Petter

W. E. W. Petter was a pioneering and influential British aircraft designer whose career spanned several major UK aerospace firms. He is best remembered for a series of highly successful and innovative military aircraft, including the rugged Westland Lysander, the twin-engine Westland Whirlwind fighter, the revolutionary English Electric Canberra jet bomber, and the compact Folland Gnat trainer and fighter. His work, characterized by technical brilliance and sometimes unorthodox management, left a lasting mark on aviation in the mid-20th century.

Early life and education

Born in Farnborough, Hampshire, William Edward Willoughby Petter was the son of Sir Ernest Petter, a founder of the Petters Limited engineering company and later of Westland Aircraft. He was educated at Gresham's School in Norfolk before winning a scholarship to Clare College, Cambridge, where he studied mechanical sciences. At Cambridge University, he was heavily involved with the Cambridge University Air Squadron, fostering a deep interest in flight. After graduating, he briefly worked for the family firm, Petters Limited, before formally joining the aviation industry.

Career at Westland Aircraft

Petter began his aviation career in 1931 at Westland Aircraft in Yeovil, a company his father had helped establish. He initially worked under the renowned chief designer Arthur Davenport, contributing to projects like the Westland PV-7. Following Davenport's retirement, Petter succeeded him as chief designer in 1935. His early leadership produced the iconic Westland Lysander, an army cooperation aircraft famed for its exceptional short takeoff and landing capabilities and extensive service with the Royal Air Force and Special Operations Executive during the Second World War. He also led the design of the advanced Westland Whirlwind, one of the Royal Air Force's first twin-engine, cannon-armed fighters.

Designs and engineering achievements

Petter's most celebrated designs emerged from his post-war work. In 1944, he moved to English Electric, a company with little modern aircraft experience, tasked with building jet aircraft. There, he led the design team that created the English Electric Canberra, a pioneering high-altitude jet bomber that first flew in 1949. The Canberra set multiple world records, enjoyed immense export success, and served with great longevity in the Royal Air Force and many other air forces, including the United States Air Force where it was built as the Martin B-57 Canberra. Frustrated by corporate bureaucracy, Petter left English Electric in 1950 to join the smaller Folland Aircraft as managing director and chief designer. At Folland, he pursued his vision for a lightweight, cost-effective fighter, resulting in the Folland Midge demonstrator and the successful Folland Gnat. The Gnat served notably as an advanced trainer with the Royal Air Force's Red Arrows and as a fighter with the Indian Air Force.

Later career and legacy

In 1960, following the takeover of Folland Aircraft by Hawker Siddeley, Petter left the aviation industry. A devout Christian, he and his wife, Evelyn Symington, became involved with the Moral Re-Armament movement and undertook charitable work, eventually settling in Switzerland. He died in Lausanne in 1968. Petter's legacy is that of a brilliant but demanding designer whose aircraft were marked by clean, efficient engineering and often exceeded expectations. The English Electric Canberra is considered one of the most successful jet bombers ever built, while the Folland Gnat exemplified his minimalist design philosophy. His career trajectory from Westland Aircraft to English Electric and finally Folland Aircraft demonstrates a consistent drive for innovation and efficiency that significantly advanced British aerospace capability during the Cold War era.

Category:British aircraft designers Category:1908 births Category:1968 deaths Category:Alumni of Clare College, Cambridge Category:People educated at Gresham's School