Alex Henshaw Dies

[Francois Prins]

It is with great sadness that I post on the Forum that Alex Henshaw died in his sleep last night. He was 94 and looking forward, as ever, at new projects. Michael Turner and I were with him on Thursday and he was in excellent spirits, apart from his great concern for one of his beloved dogs (Purdey) who was under the weather.
Alex was one of the greatest pilots of all time. His pre-war record breaking flights have gone down in history and some of them will never be broken. His remarkable wartime career with Vickers Supermarine, flying Spitfires, Lancasters and other types as required made him a legend. He never lost his love for flying and was delighted when he was able to fly in the two-seat Spitfire, which he took control of once airborne, on more than one occasion recently.
Alex Henshaw will always be remembered by all aviation minded people.
We send our deepest sympathy to his son Alex Jnr and his family.
The funeral will be family only. Please respect Alex's wishes.
Francois Prins

[aj_march]

How very sad, RIP Mr. Henshaw

[duxfordhawk]

Thats terribly sad news, My sympathies to his family. He will never be forgotten.
R.I.P Alex Henshaw blue skies.

[Mark12]

RIP Alex.

[ARLG]

Blue skies Alex.

[Lancman]

Oh, what a shame; I hope wherever he's on his way to now, he has a spade grip in his right hand, and a throttle lever in his left.

A true great.

[davski]

Very sad news. Alex is an inspiration and a legend.

[The Bump]

RIP Alex Henshaw.
Finally got to read 'The Flight of the Mew Gull' and 'Sigh for a Merlin' last year two excellent and unforgettable books.

[Pete Truman]

Farewell to a true legend of the air, I hope he gets the funeral flypast and salute that he deserves.

[Camlobe]

It is with great sadness that I learn here of the passing of another one of my childhood heroes. Mr Alex Henshaw was (unknowingly) largley responsible for my long-lasting professional and personal involvement in aviation. His exploits lit a fire of aeronautical enthusiasm in many a boy, myself included.

On the few occasions I was fortunate enough to meet Mr Henshaw, he always showed interest and gave freely of his time. A true gentleman.

The last time feels like yesterday, although it was around 12 years ago. Jeffrey Quill and Alex Henshaw were being entertained by BBMF/RAF Conningsby. AH sat in AB910, the Major on the port wing root complete with helmet (comms with the tower). Engine started, chock away, brakes off...good God, he's going too fast!! Out to the taxiway and back as if he was a 22 year old. Quick, sharp and accurate. But he wasn't 22, he was 82.
After lunch, AH and the Major off in Maurice Bayliss's two seater for a twenty minute flight. After 30 minutes Maurice, slightly concerned, comments to me that there must be a problem as they had not returned. CAS, Sir Michael Graydon comes over and chats to Maurice. From nowhere at no more than 60 feet the Spit roars over our heads, commences a 4g 270 degree turn and zooms over the hangar. We stop worrying about where they had been and start worrying about what CAS is going to say about the very LOW flying. No worries. His words 'WOW, that was beautiful'.
After shut down, with two smiling pilots on board, the Major holds his hands up in the well known 'well, I wasn't flying it' attitude. AH's comments after thanking everyone for making it a truly memorable day 'these modern helmets are a bit heavy'.

I managed to get a picture of Mr Quill, Mr Henshaw and the Major together in front of AB910 a short while later. AB910 was the last Spitfire that Jeffrey Quill flew and I considered it appropriate as the backdrop.

Alex Henshaw may never have been awarded a Knighthood, but he held the respect of everyone in his profession. No one can ask for a higher honour.

Oh, and the picture has pride of place on my wall. Three of the best Spitfire pilots together in front of a Spitfire. Helps remind me of what made Britain great.


Combat boost all the way Mr Henshaw and condolences to your family.



Francois, thank you for being the bearer of such sad news. I still have the picture you took of me leaning over the back of a Spit in 1992, and I still think I have a lousy smile.

camlobe

[RPSmith]

what sad news, inevitable as is the end to all human's lives, but still terribly sad.

You've got your own wings now Mr. Henshaw.

Roger Smith.

[keithjs]

I was lucky enough to meet Alex back in April last year at Michael Turners exhibition at Halton. I had just finished a commision of the Mew Gull for Michael and showed it to Alex to get his approval before passing it on.

I found him most genial and very complimental and was also able to ask him to sign my copy of Flight of the Mew Gull which he did most willingly.

Abook which I can reccommend anyone to read.

May I take this opportunity to reiterate all the comments posted on here so far (I'm sure there will be many more) and to pass on my condolences to Alex's family and friends.

[moocher]

God bless Mr Henshaw, you always will be a true gentleman. I say, Thank you for all you did.

Condolences to to the family, he was a great man.

[Snaps]

Blue skies Mr Henshaw. Condolescences to his family and friends. RIP

[Garry Owen]

Sad news indeed,unfortunately we are losing the WW2 generation at a great rate,and often before their stories could be told.

RIP Alex.

G.O.

[planejunky]

Blue skies Alex, you were truly an inspiration to British aviation.

[Rocketeer]

Alex Henshaw, we salute you

[Russ]

Alex,

Thank you and God Bless...

[stuart gowans]

As usual, Mark 12, a picture (or two) is worth a thousand words.

[aj_march]

Perhaps if anyone knows any of Mr. Henshaw's family they could pass on a link to them, or print the replies off so they can see how well respected he was?

[The Blue Max]

Sad news indeed what a man, what an Aviator and what a life. If we could all have such a life, thank you Mr Henshaw for leaving us with such a wonderfull legacy. Blue Skies and RIP.

[MerlinPete]

Originally Posted by The Bump

RIP Alex Henshaw.
Finally got to read 'The Flight of the Mew Gull' and 'Sigh for a Merlin' last year two excellent and unforgettable books.

I quite agree, if anyone has not read these books, now is the time to do so.

Farewell to a legend who inspired so many.

Pete

[Wessex Fan]

From a generation that put the Great into ‘Great Britain’.

Blue Skies Alex!

[25deg south]

A chapter closes.
We are the poorer.

[tangmere]

Never in the field of aviation was so much owed to one man.

[Roobarb]

Originally Posted by stuart gowans

As usual, Mark 12, a picture (or two) is worth a thousand words.

It was incredibly great fun replicating Alex's wartime photograph for him with TD248 and TA805. He was in great spirits and full of wit. He always had great respect for everyone when he visited us at ARC and was always complimentary to the engineers for their assistance. It was thrilling when he flew in IAC161 a few times with us. He was a true gentleman and a fascinating character. It was an honour to have spent time with him.

[Skybolt]

Thank you Francois for posting such sad news.

An inspiration to so many and a true British gentleman. It would have been wonderful to see one of his aerobatic demonstrations.

Trapper 69

[pimpernel]

Thank you, good bye and God bless. A sad loss.

A Henshaw - RIP.

Brian.

[trumper]

What a wonderful life to celebrate. R I P .

[Trolly Aux]

We cannot be sad we must celebrate the man Alex Henshaw! I tilt my hat in your direction and thank you for the 94 years you lived.

Three words will for ever remain

SPITFIRE Alex Henshaw

Sleep well