Voices of Science

John Scott-Scott (1934-), aeronautical engineer, became interested in engines and rocket motors at an early age and was fortunate enough to get a job at Armstrong Siddeley in Ansty that allowed him to make a career out of this. He worked on many of the major British rocket projects including the Blue Steel cruise missile and Black Arrow satellite launcher,developing expertise in hydrodynamics and the development of high-speed pumps that were crucial to the technical success of Black Arrow and Concorde. During the 1980s he played an important part in the unrealised HOTOL space plane project, and continues to work on the concept as part of Reaction Engines in retirement. He has also played an active role in the Rolls-Royce Heritage Trust and enjoys collecting model engines.