George Bulman Trophy

History

Group Captain Paul Ward Spencer “George” Bulman CBE, MC, AFC (2bars) FRAeS started his flying career in the First World War during which he was awarded the Military Cross and his first AFC when with No 3 Squadron, RFC. He held a permanent commission after the war and began his test flying career at RAE Farnborough. His greatest work was done with Hawker Aircraft, which he joined (when it was H. G. Hawker Engineering Co) in 1925. In due course, he was to become its Chief Test Pilot and a Director of the company.

George's heyday as a test pilot was in the late 20s and up to the beginning of the war in 1939. His zenith was reached when the Hawker Hart and Fury were being interpreted from Sydney Camm's drawing board to the delightful and immensely successful aircraft they became.  For 20 years he worked closely with Sir Sydney when the latter was the company's chief designer and, at Brooklands, on 6 Nov 1935 he flew the prototype Hurricane. He finally retired from the aircraft industry in 1945 and died on 6 May 1963 aged 67.

He became known as “George” because he had a poor memory for names, and so tended to call everybody George. When friends and colleagues called Bulman "George" in response, the nickname stuck.

 He was an active member of the Aero GS and won the Flight Trophy in 1946. After his death in 1963, a new trophy was created the following year in his honour which is awarded annually to the best overall performance in the Over 15 handicap category.