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Hannah Gwendolen Shone (22 May 1907 – 14 July 1993) was a British Aerodynamics and most known for her work on spinning tunnels and aircraft Flight test during World War II, as well as her involvement in flight education.
She was educated at Wallasey High School and Rydal Penrhos, Colwyn Bay. She obtained a BSc in mathematics in 1927 and a diploma in education in 1928, both from the University of Liverpool.
While at university, she took flying lessons and obtained her private pilot's 'A' flying licence in 1929, gaining Royal Aero Club Aviator's Certificate No.9074 from Liverpool Aero club.
Throughout her consequent scientific career, Alston committed herself to the improvement and communication of aviation education.
During World War II, as well as her RAE work, Alston was seconded to Ringway Airport (now known as Manchester International Airport) to oversee problems with the introduction of troop-carrying gliders into the British Army's Glider Pilot Regiment. She completed the RAF basic and advanced pilot-training courses in Miles Magister and Harvard trainers, becoming a founder member and Adjutant of the RAF Technical Flight.
In 1944, Alston investigated the cause of Fairey Barracuda torpedo bomber accidents. Together with her pilot Eric Brown, she carried out test flights and found problems with flap positions in conjunction with rudder input to be the cause of the crashes. Brown later stated that "I cannot leave the accident investigation without paying tribute to one of the flight-test observers involved in these tests - Mrs Gwen Alston. Mrs Alston was a truly remarkable 'lady boffin', who, despite having lost her scientist husband in a fatal crash while on a similar duty, never flinched at any risky flight and in all circumstances displayed the essence of courage".
She was a founding member of RAF technical flight, the Aerospace Education and Recreation Organisation and became an associate of the Royal Aeronautical Society in 1956.
A speech she gave to the Women's Engineering Society in October 1956, entitled Technological Training and Employment of Women detailed the issues faced by girls in the education system who might be interested in careers in science or technology.
Whilst working at Royal Aircraft Establishment at Farnborough Airfield in 1933, Alston met her future husband Peter Alston, a Civilian Scientific Officer, who died on 16 February 1939 near Eyke, Suffolk, while testing a military aircraft. The Royal Aeronautical Society's RP Alston Medal was first awarded in 1949 in memory of Alston's late husband. It was originally a prize for work in the field of air safety through stability and control but since 1957 has been awarded for practical achievement associated with the flight testing of aircraft. The medal features an eagle in flight with a hot air balloon in the background.
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