Walter Gibb was born on 26 March 1919 in Port Talbot, Wales, UK. He was married to Sylvia Reed. He died on 4 March 2006 in Thornbury, South Gloucestershire, England, UK.
He was a Test pilot for the Bristol Aeroplane Company during the 1950s and 60s. He made the maiden flight of the Bristol Brabazon Mk 1 on Sunday 4th September 1949 alongside pilot Bill Pegg. He succeeded Pegg as chief test pilot at B.A.C. in 1955.