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Hoverhawk: The Personal Story of the First Royal Helicopters
Squadron Leader John M’Kenzie-Hall formed The Queen’s Flight Helicopter Section at RAF Benson between 1957 and 1963. This was a time when helicopters were rarely seen in the sky and regarded with some suspicion by fixed wing pilots, particularly on the safety front.
Specially picked for his exceptional flying record commencing in 1943 during World War II as a fighter pilot with the RAF and by 1945 was flying Hellcats in 891 Squadron Fleet Air Arm, with post war action in helicopters in Malaya with 194 and 155 Squadrons 1953-56, Cyprus and the Suez Crisis of 1956, M’Kenzie-Hall rose to the challenge and set up and commanded a lawn-to-lawn service which transformed the way the Royal Family travelled.
Initially The Royal Navy had started to fly HRH the Duke of Edinburgh by helicopter and M’Kenzie-Hall was assigned by the RAF to gradually take over these duties and expand the role to cover other senior members of the Royal Family.
On 18 November 1958, during a Royal Navy Flight over the Humber Estuary from RAF North Coates to RAF Patrington to inspect bloodhound missile sites, M’Kenzie-Hall’s quick-wittedness and bravery saved the lives of The Duke of Edinburgh, his Equerry Squadron Leader John Severne (later to become Captain of The Queen’s Flight) and senior RAF Officers including the Commander in Chief of Fighter Command, the AOC 12 Group and Prince Philip’s personal detective Inspector Kelly.
During the flight over the Humber, the sliding cockpit window came off its runner, broke loose and threatened to hit the rotors. In a split second M’Kenzie-Hall seized the door, braced his right foot under the instrument panel to prevent being dragged out of the aircraft. The resulting airflow twisted him downwards, but he managed to hold onto the window until the helicopter landed.
This act of heroism was not officially recognized during his lifetime as the incident was kept confidential.
From then on M’Kenzie-Hall worked tirelessly and diligently to ensure the highest possible standards of safety for all future RAF Royal Helicopter Flights.
This Memoir gives a fascinating personal insight into the early years of the formation of The Queen’s Flight Helicopter section and includes an impressive selection of illustrations and countless anecdotes of his encounters with members of the Royal Family and other VVIP’s during his seven years’ service.
This is the story of a heroic, hardworking and talented pilot whose memoirs will appeal to general readers as well as to helicopter and royal family enthusiasts.
Specially picked for his exceptional flying record commencing in 1943 during World War II as a fighter pilot with the RAF and by 1945 was flying Hellcats in 891 Squadron Fleet Air Arm, with post war action in helicopters in Malaya with 194 and 155 Squadrons 1953-56, Cyprus and the Suez Crisis of 1956, M’Kenzie-Hall rose to the challenge and set up and commanded a lawn-to-lawn service which transformed the way the Royal Family travelled.
Initially The Royal Navy had started to fly HRH the Duke of Edinburgh by helicopter and M’Kenzie-Hall was assigned by the RAF to gradually take over these duties and expand the role to cover other senior members of the Royal Family.
On 18 November 1958, during a Royal Navy Flight over the Humber Estuary from RAF North Coates to RAF Patrington to inspect bloodhound missile sites, M’Kenzie-Hall’s quick-wittedness and bravery saved the lives of The Duke of Edinburgh, his Equerry Squadron Leader John Severne (later to become Captain of The Queen’s Flight) and senior RAF Officers including the Commander in Chief of Fighter Command, the AOC 12 Group and Prince Philip’s personal detective Inspector Kelly.
During the flight over the Humber, the sliding cockpit window came off its runner, broke loose and threatened to hit the rotors. In a split second M’Kenzie-Hall seized the door, braced his right foot under the instrument panel to prevent being dragged out of the aircraft. The resulting airflow twisted him downwards, but he managed to hold onto the window until the helicopter landed.
This act of heroism was not officially recognized during his lifetime as the incident was kept confidential.
From then on M’Kenzie-Hall worked tirelessly and diligently to ensure the highest possible standards of safety for all future RAF Royal Helicopter Flights.
This Memoir gives a fascinating personal insight into the early years of the formation of The Queen’s Flight Helicopter section and includes an impressive selection of illustrations and countless anecdotes of his encounters with members of the Royal Family and other VVIP’s during his seven years’ service.
This is the story of a heroic, hardworking and talented pilot whose memoirs will appeal to general readers as well as to helicopter and royal family enthusiasts.
Kindle Edition
Published March 18, 2023
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