An interview with Arthur Kearse CEng FRAeS....reflections on a career in weapons development and beyond with RAE and QinetiQ

Arthur’s highly successful career followed an unconventional path. He left school with a mix of GCEs, O Levels, and two A Levels, neither of which were Maths, but with plenty of practical know-how from his father. Describing himself as ‘vastly overconfident but vastly underqualified’, Arthur was unsure of his future until a careers adviser’s suggestion led him to Royal Aircraft Establishment (RAE) Farnborough.

In 1975, Arthur joined the Engineering Physics (EP) Department as an Assistant Scientific Officer, doing experimental research into helicopter transmissions. When the department closed in the early 1980s, he moved , now a Scientific Officer, to the Flight Systems Department, completing EP projects before working on aircraft hydraulic systems. This involved real aircraft which had to be cleared for flight, but ended after a Hunter aircraft suffered an engine failure on take-off. Both pilots ejected safely, but the project was transferred to RAE Bedford  leaving Arthur once again in search of a new post.

He described himself as being ‘hawked around’ the Weapons Department before settling in Attack Weapons, where he worked on anti-tank systems and again flight clearance on real aircraft. His practical approach earned promotion to Principal Scientific Officer and involvement in international missile programmes. Though he credited luck, his skills were clearly valued. Arthur saw the RAE as more a family than a workplace, and joining the Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS) put him on the path to Chartered Engineer despite the lack of a degree.

The CEng grew in importance as Farnborough became DRA, DERA, and finally QinetiQ, a period Arthur called a ‘Wild West’ of unclear strategy and scarce funds. After a disruptive split of staff between QinetiQ and DSTL, he chose QinetiQ, but the ensuing chaos left him feeling ‘crushed.’ He eventually moved to Aldermaston, where his weapons and aircraft clearance experience was valued.

He then spent five satisfying years in work he found genuinely useful, a period of redemption that let him retire without the frustration of leaving Farnborough.

Arthur’s interests included long-term involvement with the Air Cadets and research into Operation Chastise. What began as a paper supporting his RAeS application and pursuit of Chartered Engineer status eventually led to him serving as a technical advisor for a TV programme on the Dambusters.

Reflecting on his career, Arthur felt a university degree at 18 wouldn’t have suited him. The informal apprenticeship at the RAE, guided by colleagues who recognized his potential, worked far better for his development.

When asked about the biggest change he witnessed over his career, Arthur highlighted the shift in organisational culture. At the RAE, trials could fail without fuss, provided no one was harmed; by QinetiQ, the same incident would prompt a full inquiry. The RAE’s “suck-it-and-see” approach fostered risk-taking, allowing Technical Demonstrator Programmes to succeed through building and tinkering, often before fully understanding the systems.

Arthur has written an account of the various phases of his career but has still to finish the “messy” bit.  He also enjoys writing aeronautical histories. His paper on the role of the RAE and the V1 was published in the RAeS’s Journal of Aeronautical History.

Arthur Kearse CEng FRAeS was interviewed by Roger Cansdale FRAeS as part of the Royal Aeronautical Society/National Aerospace Library’s oral history project ‘If I only didn’t do it that way…….” Capturing history from the horse’s mouth to inspire today’s aeronautical professionals. The recording was edited by edited by Eur Ing Mike Stanberry FRAeS.

A transcript of the interview recording is available on the National Aerospace Library catalogue: Arthur Kearse oral history interview | National Aerospace Library