Rhys Probert, CB (28 May 1921 – 1980),^[1] was a British aeronautical engineer.^[2] He was the son of the Reverend Thomas and Margaret Jane Probert of Blackwood, South Wales.

Early life

Probert was educated firstly, at Jones West Monmouth School, then at St Catharine's College, Cambridge.

Career

From 1942-1944, Probert worked at the Royal Aircraft Establishment. He moved to Power Jets (Research and Development) Ltd in 1944, staying until 1946. He spent a brief time at the Applied Physics Laboratory, Johns Hopkins University, from 1946-1947. He joined the National Gas Turbine Establishment in 1947 and remained there until 1963 (as Deputy Director after 1957). Between 1963 and 1968 he worked as Director-General of Scientific Research/Air, Ministry of Aviation, then from 1968 until 1972 was Deputy Controller of Aircraft, at the Ministry of Technology, later the Ministry of Defence. Probert ended his career by returning to the Royal Aircraft Establishment as Director from 1973 until 1980. He was President of the Royal Aeronautical Society from 1979 until 1980.

Probert made notable contributions to many aircraft technologies, including ramjets, scramjets, vertical takeoff for Harrier jump jets, and reheat (afterburners).

His papers are available at the University of Cambridge, at the Churchill Archives Centre

Personal life

In 1947 Probert married Carolyn Cleasby, of Lancaster, New Hampshire, USA; they had three sons and one daughter.

He was made a Companion of the Bath in 1972. He died of pancreatic cancer in 1980.

References