Sir Ralph Sorley | |
|---|---|
 Air Marshal R S Sorley, Controller of Research and Development, Ministry of Aircraft Production | |
| Born | 9 January 1898 |
| Died | 17 November 1974 (aged 76) |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service | Royal Navy (1914–18) Royal Air Force (1918–48) |
| Years of service | 1914–1948 |
| Rank | Air Marshal |
| Commands | Technical Training Command (1945–48) Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment (1940–41) RAF Upwood (1939–40) No. 4 Armament Training Station (1937–39) No. 8 Squadron (1931–33) |
| Battles / wars | First World War Second World War |
| Awards | Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath Officer of the Order of the British Empire Distinguished Service Cross Distinguished Flying Cross Commander of the Legion of Merit (United States) |
Air Marshal Sir Ralph Squire Sorley, KCB, OBE, DSC, DFC, FRAeS, FRSA (9 January 1898 – 17 November 1974) was a senior commander in the Royal Air Force (RAF). He began as a pilot in the Royal Naval Air Service during the First World War, and rose to senior command in the Second World War. After the latter he held several senior appointments until his retirement in 1948.[1] and in 1947 was made a Commander of the Legion of Merit of the United States of America.
Sorley was instrumental in the specification of the armament of both the Supermarine Spitfire and the Hawker Hurricane, he founded the Empire Test Pilots' School, foresaw the need for air-to-air missiles in the post-Second World War world and, having left the RAF to join De Havilland, provided the RAF with such a weapon system.[2]
- ^ "No. 38015". The London Gazette (Supplement). 15 July 1947. p. 3255.
- ^ Barrass, M.B. (5 May 2009). "Air of Authority". A History of RAF Organisation. M B Barrass. Retrieved 23 April 2010.