Harrow County School, the Schneider Trophy and Rolls Royce Merlin Engines

Colin Gent

The story of the Schneider Trophy for seaplanes, competed for in the 1930s with Old Gaytonian John Boothman as winning pilot. The successful Supermarine seaplane, same designer as the Spitfire, was powered by a Rolls-Royce engine. The engine was developed into the Merlin, the most successful aero engine of WWII, that powered many aircraft types, including the Spitfire, Hurricane, Lancaster Bomber and Mosquito.

Date: TBC
Time: 7.30pm
Venue: The School Hall

Colin Gent attended Harrow County between 1947-54. He left for Imperial College with his name on the Honours Board having been awarded a State Scholarship.

He gained an Honours Degree in Electrical Engineering and continued training at AEI, Manchester as a graduate apprentice. Having had National Service deferment, the call finally came and he joined the Royal Navy for a three year Short Service Commission as an Electrical Officer starting in 1959. After training at the Electrical School, HMS Collingwood, he was appointed as the Electrical Officer of HMS Caprice serving in the Far East.

Colin Gent then joined the Admiralty Engineering Laboratory, West Drayton working on electrical equipment for surface ships and the nuclear submarine, HMS Dreadnought.

In 1966 he joined Kodak Ltd at their main manufacturing plant in Wealdstone eventually becoming their Chief Engineer managing the Engineering Division that at one stage employed over 1,000 engineers, technicians, scientists and craftsmen. Since retiring from Kodak he has run a small business providing pre-retirement reminars for hospitals, charities, local and central government departments.

The ticket price (£5.00) includes a glass of wine or soft drinks during the interval. Entry for current School staff, learners and the families of both is free but you should obtain free tickets to help us plan for the right number of people. Please click the Buy Now link at the top of the page to obtain you ticket online, or email us at oga@behamlet.demon.co.uk to obtain a paper booking form.

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