After graduation from London University, with a degree in engineering, George Edwards joined the design section of Vickers-Armstrongs, Limited, at Weybridge. In 1939, he was appointed Experimental Works manager, and in 1941 was assigned to the government to advise on expedited aircraft production. In September 1945, he was appointed chief designer of the team which produced the Viking, Valetta, Varsity, Viscount, and Valiant. Edwards was knighted in 1957, while serving as managing director of Vickers-Armstrong Aircraft. During this period, he was associated with development of the Vanguard, VC10, and TSR2. In May 1961, as executive director-aircraft, British Aircraft Corporation, Sir George initiated the BAC 111 jet airliner, followed by a series of major international ventures. These include the Concorde, the Jaguar, and the Panavia Tornado., multi-role combat aircraft. Sir George retired as Chairman, British Aircraft Corporation, Limited, in December 1975. In large measure, the survival and ultimate successes of the British aviation industry in the post World War II era are directly attributable to the technical skills, managerial acumen, and foresight of Sir George Edwards. His initiative in advocating design innovation and pioneering multi-national projects such as Concorde, Jaguar, and Tornado were responsible for the introduction of a multitude of advances in the aerospace sciences.
Inducted in 1989.
Portrait Location: Hall of Fame Hallway