Shilling, Beatrice (1909–1990)

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Shilling, Beatrice (1909–1990)

English aeroengineer. Name variations: Tilly Shilling. Born Mar 8, 1909, in Waterlooville, Hampshire, England; died Nov 18, 1990; dau. of a butcher; attended Manchester University; m. George Naylor.

Aeroengineer who worked on aircraft engines and aircraft safety challenges, enjoyed a long career at the Royal Air Establishment at Farnborough (1933–69); researched and solved a serious defect in the Rolls-Royce Merlin engine design; investigated aircraft dangers, such as wet runways and their effect on breaking; worked on rocket propulsion and on supersonic aircrafts; pursued an interest in racing and won a Gold Star for lapping a track at over 100 mph on a self-altered motorbike at the Brooklands circuit (1930s). Made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (1948).