An Irishman's Aviation Sketchbook

Softcover Limited Edition with Illustrated Pages and Stories Condition: Used 1980s A wonderful gem of Irish Aviation history and folk art. Richard Whitelegge O'Sullivan was born on the 9th May, 1905 in Dublin. His father was Patrick O'Sullivan A.R.C.A. who was the Art Inspector of the Department of Agriculture and Technical Instruction in Ireland and later in the Department of Education in the Irish Free State. Mr. O'Sullivan's mother was Frances Sarah Amy née Whitelegge who met her future husband when she was a student in the Crawford College of Art in Cork. Mr. O'Sullivan was educated in Earlsfort House School, Dublin. He entered the Royal College of Science in 1921 and transferred to the Engineering School, T.C.D. whence he graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) and Bachelor of Engineering (B.A.I.) in 1927. He went to London in 1928, and for six months was a Superintendent of Works in the Cement Gun Co. (G.B.) Ltd. He then worked with the Fairey Aviation Company as a Technical Assistant in the Design Office from 1928 until 1934. During this time he joined the Reserve of Air Force Officers General Duties (Flying) Branch, and was awarded his Pilot's Wings in 1929. In 1934, he was appointed Assistant Aeronautical Engineer to the Air Corps in the Department of Defence, Ireland. He was promoted to the position of Chief Aeronautical Engineer in 1935 and in 1945 transferred to the Department of Industry and Commerce as Chief Aeronautical Officer. He retired from this post in 1970 and was retained as Adviser on Aeronautics until 1973, when he retired from the Civil Service. In 1933 Mr. O'Sullivan was elected an Associate Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society and in 1968 was elected a Fellow of that Society (F.R.Ae.S.) and was enrolled by the Engineering Council, U.K. as a Chartered Engineer (C.Eng.). He was a founder member of the Dublin Branch of the Society, and served as Chairman of the Branch from 1973 to 1976.