THE Royal International Air Tattoo will pay a special tribute to one of Britain's greatest ever aviators.

Wing Commander Roland Prosper Beamont, known as Bee, who died last November at the age of 81,was a top Battle of Britain fighter pilot who later became the first Briton to break the sound barrier.

And to mark his life and achievements the RIAT, which will be held at RAF Fairford over the weekend of July 20-21, will stage a special tribute flypast.

This will involve an RAF Canberra flanked by a Tornado and Jaguar.

Bee was involved in the early test flying of all three of these aircraft.

He first made his name as a Hurricane pilot flying in the Battle of Britain, and later flew the Hawk Tempest against the V1 flying bombs which Hitler launched against London.

After shooting down 32 of the "doodlebugs" Londoners hailed him as a hero.

Bee also successfully introduced the Hawker Typhoon into RAF wartime service, but in October 1944 he was shot down and taken prisoner of war.

After the war he was at the cutting edge of the race to create a new generation of jet aircraft.

He was the first Britain to break the sound barrier in an American P-86 in 1948, and in the following year took the Canberra jet bomber on its maiden flight.

By 1954 Bee was test pilot for the P1 Lightning, the first truly supersonic British fighter.

He also worked on the Jaguar before his appointment as Director of Flight Testing for the Tornado front line jet.

RIAT Director Paul Bowen said: "In the 1970s and 1980s Bee also served with great distinction on our flying control committee.

"He will always be remembered with gratitude and admiration by both RIAT staff and the many display pilots who benefited from his advice."

n Air Tattoo tickets can be purchased from the Evening Advertiser reception in Victoria Road until July 20, or on line at www.thisiswiltshire.co.uk until July 15.