Little Nellie inventor awarded by his peers

Sir Ken Wallis who created the autogyro commonly known as "Little Nellie" that assisted James Bond on the "You Only Live Twice" mission will be honoured with an award from the Guild of Air Pilots and Air Navigators (GAPAN).

He told the BBC: "This award is a great honour, but at only 96 I'm just a beginner."

"I've got aircraft here that can still break all sorts of records, but the one I'm thinking of having another go at is the 3km speed record."

"Ken's being awarded this principally for his development work - and many world records - with autogyros, but also recognition of his lifelong contribution to many other aspects of aviation," explained Paul Tacon, GAPAN's clerk of the guild.

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