Sheila McGuffie

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Sheila Anscombe (born Sheila Emmet McGuffie; 14 December 1911 – 2007) was an English aeronautical engineer who helped develop the first jet engine. She was born in Whaley Bridge, Derbyshire, one of five children of Evelyn Maud (née Emmett) and John Carruthers McGuffie. She studied electrical engineering at the Victoria University of Manchester, graduating with honours in 1932 as one of only two women in her class, the other being Beatrice Shilling. In 1950 she noted in the Glasgow Herald that only a few women studied engineering in the UK at that time.

Her early career included an apprenticeship in electrical contracting and house wiring, followed by three years as a test records engineer at A.C. Engineers in Rugby. From 1936 she worked as a wind tunnel scientist at the Royal Aircraft Establishment in Farnborough, and she earned her pilot’s licence (No. 14060) on 17 July 1936 after flying a Pobjoy aircraft at the Coventry Aeroplane Club. She became the first woman member and the tenth pupil to fly solo in the Coventry Aviation Group.

She married Leonard Douglas Anscombe, an electrical designer and fellow pilot, in June 1938 at Chapel-en-le-Frith. She continued flying as a member of the Civil Air Guard. From 1940 to 1942 she worked as a test engineer at Power Jets with Frank Whittle’s team developing the first jet engine, and she was present at the first flight in May 1941. During World War II she also worked as an ambulance driver. She was active in professional circles and was a member of the Royal Aeronautical Society and the Women's Engineering Society.