Curtiss P-40C Tomahawk IIB 2011 tool, 2012 set
A68216

Pilot Officer (later Squadron Leader) Neville Frederick Duke 1922-2007

This aircraft denotes a Tomahawk IIb flown by Pilot Officer Neville Duke in Libya, late 1941.

Neville Duke began his career at RAF Biggin Hill with 92 Sqn flying Spitfire V and shot down 2 BF-109s. When he was posted to 112 Sqn in Libya in late 1941 he flew the Curtiss Tomahawk IIb. He was shot down twice in short succession (30 Nov and 5 Dec 1941). By Feb 1942 Duke had gained 8 victories and was awarded the DFC in March 1942.

After a rest, he joined 92 Sqn flying tropicalised Spitfire Mk Vs in March 1942 he was awarded the DSO and by June 1942 he was awarded a bar to his DFC after amassing a further 14 victories.

He assumed command of 145 Sqn flying Spitfire MK VIIIs in March 1944 and gained a second bar to his DFC in May 1944. He was shot down (again) by flak in June 1944. On 7 September 1944 he gained his final 2 kills and became the Mediterranean theatre top Allied fighter ace. He flew 486 sorties claiming 27 kills, 2 shared, 6 damaged and 2 shared destroyed on the ground.

Duke became a test pilot for Hawker and was awarded the OBE in 1953 for his contribution to supersonic flight.