Whitney Straight facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Whitney Straight
|
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Personal details | |
| Born | 6 November 1912 New York City, US |
| Died | 5 April 1979 (aged 66) London, England |
| Spouse |
Lady Daphne Finch-Hatton
(m. 1935) |
| Parents | Willard Dickerman Straight Dorothy Payne Whitney |
| Relatives | Beatrice Straight (sister) Michael Straight (brother) |
| Education | Dartington Hall School |
| Alma mater | Trinity College, Cambridge |
| Known for | Chairman, Royal Aero Club Managing Director and CEO, British Overseas Airways Corporation Deputy Chairman Rolls-Royce |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Branch/service | Royal Air Force |
| Years of service | 1939–1945 |
| Rank | Air Commodore |
| Unit | No. 601 Squadron RAF |
| Battles/wars | Second World War |
| Awards | Commander of the Order of the British Empire Military Cross Distinguished Flying Cross Mentioned in Despatches War Cross with Sword (Norway) Officer of the Legion of Merit (United States) |
Air Commodore Whitney Willard Straight (born November 6, 1912 – died April 5, 1979) was a very talented person. He was a Grand Prix motor racing driver, a pilot, and a successful businessman. He was also a member of the well-known Whitney family from the United States.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Whitney Straight was born in New York City. His father, Willard Dickerman Straight, died when Whitney was almost six years old. His father passed away in France from the flu during a big sickness outbreak. This happened while his father was serving in the United States Army during the First World War.
In 1925, Whitney's mother, Dorothy Payne Whitney, married a British farmer named Leonard K. Elmhirst. After this, the family moved to England. They lived at Dartington Hall, where Whitney went to a special school started by his parents. He finished his education at Trinity College at Cambridge University.
Amazing Career Highlights
Whitney Straight had an exciting career that involved fast cars and flying planes.
Motor Racing Adventures
Even while he was studying at Cambridge, Whitney became a famous Grand Prix motor racing driver. He raced in events across the UK and Europe. He competed in more Grand Prix races than any other American until after the Second World War.
Whitney started racing in 1931. He drove a Brooklands Riley car at places like Shelsley Walsh and Brooklands circuit.
In 1933, driving a black and silver Maserati car, he won several races. These included the Mountain Championship at Brooklands, the Mont Ventoux Hill Climb, and the Brighton Speed Trials. He also won a special class in the Coppa Acerbo race in Italy, driving an MG Magnette.
In 1934, he started his own motor racing team. He personally won the South African Grand Prix. His brother, Michael, came in third place in the same race. Whitney also showed off his skills at the Brooklands Racing Circuit. He reached a speed of 138.7 miles per hour, which was a record for cars in the 5-litre class.
Passion for Flying
Flying was another one of Whitney's biggest interests. When he was just 16, he had already flown alone for over 60 hours. This was even before he was old enough to get a pilot's license!
In his early 20s, Whitney led a company called Straight Corporation Limited. This company ran airlines and airfields all over Britain. It also managed flying clubs. He even helped create an advanced light aircraft called the Miles Whitney Straight in 1936. In the same year, he became a British citizen.
By the late 1930s, his airline business was very successful. It was said to carry more passengers than Imperial Airways on shorter flights within the UK. His planes, like the de Havilland Dragon Rapides, helped many people travel.
Serving in World War II
During the Second World War, Whitney Straight became a pilot for the Royal Air Force. In April 1940, he was sent to Norway to find frozen lakes that could be used as airfields. One lake, Lake Lesjaskog, was used by No. 263 Squadron RAF during the Norwegian Campaign.
Whitney was badly hurt during a German bombing attack in Norway. For his brave service there, he received the Norwegian War Cross with sword in 1942.
After he recovered, he joined No. 601 Squadron RAF and fought in the Battle of Britain. From September 1940 to April 1941, he was credited with shooting down two enemy aircraft. He then became the leader of No. 242 Squadron RAF. By July 1941, he had shot down three planes and shared credit for another. In early 1941, he was also given a Military Cross for his important work in Norway.
On July 31, 1941, his plane was shot down over France. He managed to avoid being captured at first. With help from the French Underground, he made his way to a part of France that was not occupied by the enemy. However, he was captured there and put in a prisoner-of-war camp. But Whitney escaped on June 22, 1942! With more help from the French Resistance, he safely reached Gibraltar.
In September 1942, he became an air commodore. He was sent to the Middle East to lead No. 216 Group RAF.
After the War
When the war ended, Whitney returned to the UK. In June 1945, he became the leader of No. 46 Group. He left the RAF in late 1945 and became the chairman of the Royal Aero Club.
In 1946, when the British European Airways company was created, Whitney became its deputy chairman. In July 1947, he became the managing director and chief executive officer of British Overseas Airways Corporation. By 1949, he was appointed deputy chairman of the board.
Around this time, he was also on the board of Rolls-Royce. He found out that in 1947, Rolls-Royce had sold jet engines to the Soviet Union. The Soviets then used this technology to make their own fighter jets, like the MiG. Whitney Straight tried to get money back for this, but he never did.
In 1967, he created the Whitney Straight Award for the Royal Aeronautical Society. This award recognized the achievements of women in aviation.
Personal Life
On July 17, 1935, Whitney married Lady Daphne Margarita Finch-Hatton. She was the daughter of the 14th Earl of Winchilsea. Lady Daphne's uncle was Denys Finch Hatton, a famous pilot.
Whitney and Lady Daphne had two daughters:
- Camilla Caroline Straight
- Amanda Straight
Whitney also had a son, Barney Barnato Walker, with Diana Barnato Walker. Diana was also a famous racing driver.
Death
Whitney Straight passed away in London in 1979 when he was 66 years old.
