| Paul Ward Spencer Bulman | |
|---|---|
| Nickname | George |
| Born | 1896 |
| Died | May 6, 1963 (aged 66 or 67) |
| Place of birth | Luton, Bedfordshire, England |
| Place of death | Surrey, England |
| Allegiance |
 United Kingdom |
| Service/branch |
British Army Royal Air Force |
| Years of service |
1915–1925 1941–1942 |
| Rank | Honorary Group Captain |
| Unit |
Honourable Artillery Company Royal Flying Corps Royal Aircraft Establishment |
| Battles/wars |
World War I World War II |
| Awards |
Commander of the Order of the British Empire Military Cross Air Force Cross & Bar |
| Other work | Test pilot and company director |
Group Captain Paul Ward Spencer Bulman CBE, MC, AFC and Bar (1896 – 6 May 1963), universally known as George Bulman,[lower-alpha 1] was a pilot whose flying life spanned thirty years (1915–1945).
Early years[]
Bulman was born in Luton in 1896 the son of Thomas and Eveline Bulman, his father was a Church of England clergyman.[2]
First World War[]
He transferred from the Honourable Artillery Company to the Royal Flying Corps early in the First World War. He continued in the Royal Air Force until 1925 and was a test pilot in the Royal Aircraft Establishment, Farnborough from 1919 to 1925.
He was awarded the Military Cross in 1918 with the following citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. On five occasions; in most difficult weather conditions, he dropped bombs and fired on enemy infantry from a low altitude, inflicting heavy casualties. During these flights he frequently obtained valuable information, and twice drove off enemy machines which attempted to interfere. He showed the greatest initiative and resource.
Between the wars[]
In 1925, he resigned his permanent commission[4] and transferred to the reserve as a Flight Lieutenant[5] to become the Chief Test pilot at Hawker Aircraft (and its forerunner) from 1925 to 1945 and became a director of the company in 1935. He won several air races in the mid-1920s flying the Hawker Cygnet.
He made the first flight for the following Hawker aircraft and tested many other types.
- Hawker Danecock 1925
- Hawker Heron 1925
- Hawker Horsley 1925
- Hawker Hart 1928
- Hawker Tomtit 1928
- Hawker F.20/27 1928
- Hawker Demon 1933
- Hawker Hurricane 1935
- Hawker Hector 1936
Second World War[]
During the Second World War, in 1941 and 1942, he was head of the test branch of the British Air Commission in Washington D.C. and was appointed an honorary Group Captain.[6]
Honours and awards[]
His medals and awards include appointment as Commander of the Order of the British Empire,[7] the Air Force Cross and Bar,[8] and the Military Cross.[9]
Family[]
His son, Raymond Paul Bulman, was killed in action over Germany in 1945, aged 21, flying with No. 605 Squadron RAF.[10]
References[]
- ↑ Prins Aeroplane March 2013, p. 18.
- ↑ 1901 Census of Luton, RG 13/1515, Folio 14, Page 19, Peter W.S. Bulman, 8 Union Street, Luton, Bedfordshire.
- ↑ "No. 30780". 5 July. https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/30780/page/
- ↑ "No. 33076". 18 August 1925. https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/33076/page/
- ↑ "No. 33076". 18 August 1925. https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/33076/page/
- ↑ "No. 35176". 30 May 1941. https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/35176/page/
- ↑ "No. 35841". 29 December 1942. https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/35841/page/
- ↑ "No. 31974". 12 July 1920. https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/31974/page/
- ↑ "No. 30507". 4 February 1918. https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/30507/page/
- ↑ Casualty details—Bulman, Raymond Paul, Commonwealth War Graves Commission. Retrieved on 29 December 2009.
- ""George" Bulman". 16 May 1963. pp. pp. 701–702. http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1963/1963%20-%200728.html.
- Prins, François (March 2013). ""George" and the Hurricane". p. pp. 18–24.
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