RIP Richard Grace of Air Leasing

[Krupi]

Extremely sad news, I have been watching his progress with keen interest over the last few years. He was behind the recent return to the skies of the Hawker Tempest MkII and was working on the MkV.

A great loss to the vintage aviation community.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/118983335150/permalink/10170405269220151/?mibextid=rS40aB7S9Ucbxw6v

[PLUTON]

I didn't know him, but nothing is sadder than learning that a person has passed away, condolences and support to his family.

[Mogster]

Aye, I posted about this in the WW2 Hawker Tempest thread. I thought he might have some recognition here.

I didn’t know him but he had appeared on the UK WW2 WHW podcast in the heritage heroes episodes. The WHW guys re-released one of their episodes with him, I downloaded it looking forward to more news about progress of the Tempest V, but heard something else entirely. I’m surprised how affecting the news was to me.

Grace seemed like a great guy, a true historic aviation enthusiast with an incredible knowledge of British historic aircraft. He was also a young guy, when the historic aviation business seems mostly populated by guys of a certain age… He seemed like the next generation, with not only incredible engineering knowledge but also great ideas about operating the aircraft safely. 

A great loss to his family of corse, but also the historic aviation scene worldwide. RIP.

[Krupi]

Those were fascinating episodes on WHW.

Have you seen his Kermit Week Sabre videos? I highly recommend them.

I had exactly the same reaction… I didn’t know him, never met him. I recently went through a similar health issue myself and was fortunate to pull through  so the news hit me really hard.

I was looking forward to listening to his progress for years to come. Like you said historic aviation scene needed people like him, young passionate and with a huge depth of knowledge.