Presentation of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) Engineering Heritage Award to the Farnborough Man Carrying Centrifuge

On Friday 17 June 2022 at 2:00pm, the prestigious Institution of Mechanical Engineer’s Engineering Heritage Award was presented to the Farnborough Man-Carrying Centrifuge.

The award ceremony took place in the Centrifuge with the award being presented to Dipika Khaitan Director of Raintree Developments Ltd owners of the building. Vice Chairman of the FAST Sir Donald Spiers acted as the site host.

The Engineering Heritage Awards celebrate the contribution of mechanical engineering, both past and present. Recognising significant sites and artefacts, the awards aim to raise public awareness of the vital role mechanical engineering plays in modern life. 

The RAF Institute of Aviation Medicine (IAM) Human Centrifuge is a Grade 2 listed building which has remained almost unchanged from when it was first commissioned in 1955. It played a central role in aviation medicine research during its 64-year life (1955-2019).  It was used to gain a better understanding of how G affects the human body and to develop the countermeasures required to equip RAF fast jet pilots with essential life-support systems. It is thought to be the oldest example of a human centrifuge in the world and the only one designed and manufactured by British engineers.

Sir Donald Spiers former Ministry of Defence Controller Air and past President of the Royal Aeronautical Society added that:” As aircraft speeds increased during World War 2 and subsequently with the arrival of jet powered aircraft, it became clear that the Air Ministry needed a better understanding of the effects of G forces on aircrew. The IAM Centrifuge was cleverly designed and manufactured using existing components and its entry into service in1955 led to the introduction of personal anti- G equipment and training programmes for RAF Aircrew. The building represented a milestone in fast jet aircrew training and is a very important part of British Aviation heritage”. 

Commenting on the award Dipika Khaitan said that “‘I am delighted that this marvellous example of post war British Engineering is being recognised in such a way. Raintree Devp ltd are proud to be its owner and to able to contribute to making the important part that the centrifuge played in the protection and training of fast jet pilots more widely known to the public through the tours that FAST operate”.

Further information on the event and the Centrifuge can be obtained by either contacting FAST SME Sue Adcock directly. Email: info@farnboroughcentrifuge.org.uk, or by contacting Veronica Graham-Green FAST PR by email: vgrahamgreenfast@gmail.com.