About The Late Ralph Hooper update 29Jun2023  

Ralph Hooper died peacefully on Monday 12th December 2022, two months short of his 97th birthday.

A Blackburn apprentice and graduate of University College Hull, Ralph joined the Hawker Aircraft experimental drawing office in 1948 with a Diploma from the College of Aeronautics at Cranfield.

Initially involved in structural design of the Hunter, he transferred to the Project Office in 1952.

In 1957 he started devising what became the VTOL P1127 prototypes and from 1961 initiated work on supersonic V/STOL leading to the NATO International Design Competition winning P1154.

Appointed Assistant Chief Designer (Projects) in 1963 he was responsible for the technical development of the Kestrel and the preliminary design work for the Harrier including the two-seat configuration.

Promoted to Executive Director and Chief Engineer (Kingston) in 1968 he was closely involved with the design and development of the Hawk.

In 1977 he became Technical Director of the Kingston-Brough Division of British Aerospace. Ralph was honoured with an OBE in 1979. He retired in 1985.

A Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society he was awarded their Gold Medal in 1986 having already received many other awards in recognition of his unique contributions to the advancement of aviation.

As ex-employees we all owe Ralph a great debt of gratitude for his crucial contributions to the long-running successes of the Harrier and Hawk.