Heyworth was born in 1910 in Derbyshire and educated at Rugby School. He was an outstanding sportsman, particularly at rugby and cricket, and gained a place at Edinburgh University to study medicine, his father’s profession. Instead, however, in 1931 Harvey Heyworth joined the RAF on a short service commission.
In 1932 he was posted to No 54 Squadron and two years later he was part of the squadron’s aerobatic display team at the Hendon Air Pageant.
In November 1934 Heyworth was posted to No 504 Squadron, AAF, at Hucknall, as Officer Commanding ‘B’ Flight. He went on to Class ‘A’ of the Reserve of Air Force Officers in September 1936 and joined Rolls-Royce as a test pilot.
Recalled to the RAF on 25 August 1939, he was posted to No 22 (Army Co-operation) Squadron. He arrived at 5 OTU, Aston Down for a refresher course on 21 May 1940. The next day he went solo on a Spitfire Mk l, but crashed on landing. He was unhurt and the aircraft was repairable. On 9 July he joined No 222 Squadron at Kirton-in-Lindsey, as a supernumerary. He took command of No 79 Squadron at Acklington three days later. On 15 August he shared in the destruction of a Bf 110 and a Do 17 and on the 31st he probably destroyed a Ju 88.
The squadron moved to Biggin Hill on 27 August. On 6 September Heyworth damaged a Ju 88, on the 7th he probably destroyed another and on the 27th he shared in the destruction of a He 111 and also in the probable destruction of another. He achieved further success in the spring of 1941.
Heyworth was posted away from 79 Squadron and attached to Rolls-Royce in June 1941 for test pilot duties. He flew many different types of aircraft before testing jets. He was seconded from the RAF to Rolls-Royce in 1942. He was awarded the AFC in 1946. After release from the RAF in 1945, as a Wing Commander, Heyworth re-joined Rolls-Royce, as a test pilot. He became Chief Test Pilot in 1951.
On 22 January 1954 he crashed in Dart Lancaster NG 465, on Holmwell golf course, because of fuel starvation affecting all four engines. The purpose of the flight was to test de-icing equipment. Three Rolls-Royce staff, acting as flight observers, were uninjured, but his own injuries meant the end of Heyworth’s test-flying career.
Harvey Heyworth died in 1959.
