Flt Lt. Peter W. Varley 1924-1989

 

Peter Varley was born in Birmingham in 1924 and began taking a serious interest in aircraft whilst at school. In 1941 he joined the Glasgow University Air Squadron and in 1942 he went to America for training, gaining his wings in 1943. He went to the Far East and later to Singapore with 89 Sqn on night fighter Beaufighters and Mosquitoes and served there until he left the service in 1947.He  rejoined the following year with a permanent commision. He flew Hornets with No19 Sqn,took CFS course and was on No11 course at ETPS.

He joined Gloster Aircraft Company in 1955 as assistant to Chief Test Pilot Dicky Martin,who had been his commander when he was with Aero Flight at the Royal Aircraft Establishment,Farnborough. While serving at Boscombe Down,he took part in the 5 Javelin formation at Farnborough 1954 Air show. He joined Armstrong Whitworth and test flew the Argosy,demonstrating it at Farnborough in 1959.