Brian Brinkworth was a scientist at the Royal Aircraft Establishment before moving into academic life in 1960. Liking the combination of teaching and research he remained, becoming Professor, Head of Department and Dean of the Faculty at Cardiff University. He was elected Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering in 1992. He is the author of many papers and textbooks. In retirement, he has been an aviation historian, making several studies that have been published by the Royal Aeronautical Society. Flight of Fancy arose from following-up a mystery uncovered in one of those.