Walter H. Barling Papers, 1912-1952

Walter H. Barling, Sr. was born in 1890 in Kent, England. From 1900-1905, Barling attended the Polytechnic, Woolwich, London. Afterwards, he began an engineering apprenticeship in 1905 and in 1910 was put in charge of the factory’s workshop. He attended the Royal College for Science and Technology in London, eventually graduating with degrees in mathematics and mechanics. After graduation, he began work in the Royal Aircraft Factory developing and stress testing aircraft parts. During the First World War, he continued this work and was appointed a member of the Design Board for the British army at Farnbrough. In 1919, Barling and his family moved to the United States, where he was immediately employed by the federal government to design a large bomber. The “Barling Bomber” was finished and conducted its first successful flight in 1923. It was the largest airplane in the world at the time. Barling went on to design several more planes including the Barling NB-3, Barling B-6, and a helicopter. He had multiple patents awarded to him in multiple countries including the United States, England, France, and Japan. Barling worked for several aircraft firms in the U.S. after the war and retired in the 1950s. He passed away in 1965.