Hooker, Stanley George (1907-1984)

English engineer responsible for the development of aircraft engines such as the Proteus turboprop (1957), Orpheus turbojet (1958), Pegasus vectored-thrust turbofan, Olympus turbojet, and RB-211 turbofan. Knighted 1974.

Hooker was born in Sheerness, Kent, and educated at Imperial College, London, and at Oxford. He spent his career at Rolls-Royce (from 1938) and the Bristol Aeroplane Company, which merged with Rolls-Royce in 1966.

Hooker developed supercharged versions of the Merlin engine, which powered many Allied aircraft in World War II. In the 1940s he was responsible for the development of the Whittle W2B turbojet and the Derwent engines, two of which powered the plane that set a world speed record in 1946.

The Pegasus vectored-thrust engine is the power unit for the Harrier VSTOL (vertical/short takeoff and landing) combat aircraft.

The Olympus turbojet, eventually to power the supersonic Concorde airliner, started life in 1946. The design uses two independent compressors driven by two independent turbines, giving the engine high compression (important for fuel economy) and great adaptability.

The RB-211 turbofan was on its introduction the quietest and most economical in airline service, and has a modular design so that replacing parts is easier.