Colin W. Hague OBE

Colin Hague joined the Royal Navy in 1962 as helicopter pilot. After completion of his training, he was posted to 845 Commando Sqn flying the Wessex 1 during the Borneo confrontation.
Between 1965-67 he flew with 826 A/S Squadron flying the Wessex 1 from HMS Hermes, completeing a Middle and Far East Tour. Between 1968-1973, he served as a Wasp Pilot,Flight Commander on HMS Yarmouth.
In 1972 he attended the ETPS. After course completion he became a test pilot at Boscombe Down. He performed initial trials on the Gazelle,Lynx and Seaking. He carried out the first Lynx deck landings and icing trials in Canada. He was awarded the Qeens Commendation for Valuable Services in the Air. He was the Senior Pilot of the first Lynx Squadron, 700L.

He joined Westland Helicopters as a test pilot in 1979 where he carried out development and production test flying on Gazelle,Lynx,Seaking and Westland WG30.
In 1987 along with Chief Test Pilot Trevor Egginton, he made the maiden flight of the EH101 PP1.
He was appointed Deputy Chief Test Pilot in 1986 and in 1988 became the Chief Test Pilot. He served in the position for the next 15 years, overseeing the development of the EH101 Merlin including first flights of all prototypes, and introduction into service. He carried out the first deck landing trials. In 2003 he was awarded an OBE for his services to Aviation.