John O. Lancaster

John Oliver Lancaster (4 February 1919 – 10 August 2019) was a Royal Air Force bomber pilot who transitioned to a career as a test pilot for various firms. On 30 May 1949, he ejected from the experimental Armstrong Whitworth A.W.52 flying wing in a "primitive" Martin-Baker Mk.1 seat, becoming the first person to eject from a British aircraft in an emergency.

Early career In 1935, Lancaster joined Armstrong Whitworth Aircraft Ltd. on an engineering apprenticeship. In 1937 he joined the RAF Volunteer service, undergoing pilot training on DH 82 Tiger Moths.

On the night of 30–31 May 1942, he flew Wellington S9932 of 22 OTU on an op to Cologne, On 1–2 June 1942, piloted Wellington S9932 of 22 OTU on an op to Essen. and then in 1946 was seconded to Boulton-Paul Aircraft Ltd., and was later demobilised from the RAF. In 1946 he joined Saunders-Roe at Cowes, Isle of Wight, flying as deputy to Chief Test Pilot Geoffrey Tyson. Lancaster flew the Supermarine Walrus, Sea Otter, Short Sunderland and the Auster AOP.6 floatplane, as well as undertaking development test flying on the Saunders-Roe SR.A/1 jet fighter flying boat. His duties with Saunders-Roe ended in 1949 when he rejoined Armstrong Whitworth where he served as a test pilot under Chief Test Pilot Eric Franklin and participated in test programmes covering the Lancaster, Lincoln and York, Meteor T4, T7 and F8 and Night Fighter Mks. 11 to 14 and the Meteor TT20. He also tested the Sea Hawk, Hunter F2, F5, F6 and T7, Shackleton, Valetta, A.W.52G tailless experimental glider and Armstrong Whitworth A.W.52 experimental twin-jet flying-wing, Gloster Javelin and the Argosy. whilst in flight east of Leamington. "The plane which was on the secret list crashed in open country near Leamington Hastings. Jo Lancaster parachuted to safety and landed in a field at the rear of The Cuttle Inn at Long Itchington narrowly avoiding 'touch down' in the adjacent canal. It was the first ever deployment of the Martin-Baker ejection seat in an in-flight emergency."

Later career Lancaster retired in 1984.

Published biography In April 2016, Lancaster's biography First Out In Earnest: The Remarkable Life of Jo Lancaster DFC from Bomber Command Pilot to Test Pilot and the Martin Baker Ejection Seat by David Gunby, was published by Fighting High Publishing.