Richard Grace of Air Leasing passed away

The warbird community mourns over the untimely death of Richard Grace, manager and chief engineer of Air Leasing Ltd. at Sywell Aerodrome. Richard died of a lenghty disaese on 15 October at the age of 40.

Richard Grace grew up around vintage aircraft, with the family Spitfire ML407 carrying out its first restoration flight in 1985 before he was one year old. Richard always had a passion for engineering and flying and had the opportunity of doing both at Air Leasing Ltd.

He was the son of an iconic couple, Nick and Carolyn Grace. Nick initiated the restoration of Spitfire ML407 but unfortunately he met his death in a car crash in 1988. His wife Carolyn decided to fly the family plane, 'The Grace Spitfire'. She became the first female pilot authorized to fly the type since WW II and the first qualified female pilot ever to take part in display flying. Tragically enough, Carolyn, like her husband, died in a car crash in Australia on 2 December 2022.

He rebuilt and flew his first aircraft at 20 and has not stopped since. Richard has flown various types of WWII aircraft including Hawker Hurricane, Hawker Sea Fury, Yak-3, P-51 Mustang and numerous marks of Spitfire. Richard was also half of the Trig Aerobatic Team who carried out displays in two Pitts Specials throughout Europe.

He has been the driving force behind the companies growing business and has dealt with the sale, purchase, import, restoration and certification of various aircraft.

Our sincere condolences go to his wife Daisy, their two children Allegra and Stirling, and his sisters Olivia and Nicola.

Blue skies, Richard!