Hedley Hazelden

Squadron Leader Hedley George "Hazel" Hazelden (7 June 1915 – August 2001) was a British test pilot.

Royal Air Force career Hazelden trained as a pilot in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve before the outbreak of the Second World War. He joined the Royal Air Force in May 1939 and completed his flying training on Ansons at 12 Flying Training School located at RAF Redhill in Surrey. He joined No. 44 Squadron RAF with Bomber Command at RAF Waddington in September 1940, flying Handley Page Hampden twin-engine bombers.

In 1941, after surviving one tour of duty, Hazelden underwent operational conversion training for the Avro Manchester twin-engined bomber at RAF Finningley in Yorkshire. He joined No. 83 Squadron RAF at RAF Scampton in Lincolnshire. He remained with No. 83 Squadron during its conversion to the Avro Lancaster four-engined bomber.

Civilian test pilot career Hazelden left the RAF in 1947 and he was appointed as the chief test pilot of Handley Page. 22 September 1942 Bar to the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) – Acting Flight Lieutenant Hedley George Hazelden, D.F.C. (60323), Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, No. 82 Squadron. 12 June 1947 – King's Commendation for Valuable Service in the Air – Acting Squadron Leader H.G. Hazelden, D.F.C. (60323), R.A.F.V.R. 1 January 1959 – Queen's Commendation for Valuable Service in the Air – Squadron Leader Hedley George Hazelden, D.F.C., Chief Test Pilot, Handley Page, Ltd.