POST-WAR JET PILOTS SIGNING EVENT - 25th November
Single-engine jets became the fighter of choice for the post-war RAF and we are delighted to announce that we’ll be joined at the UK Gallery by pilots and aircrew who flew this new generation of aircraft.
What an amazing event this is going to be! The line-up so far is up to nine highly-decorated post-war pilots, to help us launch the biography of Air Vice-Marshal George Black CB OBE AFC*. The biography is called 'Black Leader', and will be available to purchase and have signed on the day of the event. Please call us to place your advance order.
We will be joined on the day by:
Air Vice-Marshal GEORGE BLACK CB OBE AFC* - after tours flying Meteors, Vampires and Hunters, George was seconded to the FAA where he flew Seahawks at Suez. In 1961 he transferred to 74 Sqn, the first Lightning Squadron, before commanding 111 and 5 Sqns. He won the NATO Air Defence Trophy, before commanding the Harrier Force at Wildenrath.
Captain IAN BLACK - Ian flew tours on the Phantom, Lightning and Tornado. He was the last RAF pilot to qualify to fly the Lightning, and also spent 4 years with the French Air Force flying the Mirage 2000. He flew operations in the Gulf and Bosnia, flying over 250 combat sorties. He is currently a Senior Captain on the A340/A330 and still flies the Lightning at ‘Thunder City’, South Africa.
Flight Lieutenant PAUL FIELD - Paul flew over 1000 hours on Lightnings during his career. With 11 (f) Sqn, he completed a 3 year tour, including a Live Quick Reaction Alert Scramble from RAF Binbrook to intercept 2 Russian ‘Bears’ a few miles off the Scottish coast, this was a rarity for the Binbrook wing. He later became a Lightning Tactics Instructor before leaving the RAF in 1986.
Air Commodore JOHN MITCHELL CBE AFC - after two night-fighter tours on Meteors and Javelins, John converted to Lightnings, and flew with 92 and 226 Sqns, and as a Flight Commander with 111 Sqn – he was the first pilot to attain 1000 hours on the Lightning. In the early ‘60s he was the Project Officer on the high level interception trial versus the U2 and was awarded the Queen’s Commendation for Valuable Service in the Air.
Flight Lieutenant ROGER WILKINS - flew Meteors with 1 and 63 Sqns as well as Hunters with 63, 2 and 43 Sqns where he saw action in the RADFAN Campaign in Aden flying 130 ground attack missions. Roger also flew the Lightning, Swift and Vampire and took part in the Coronation Flypast over Buckingham Palace in June 1953.
Squadron Leader ROBERT GWYN WILLIAMS - flew Hunters with 43 Sqn in Aden and 8 Sqn in Muharrak before joining No 4FTS as an instructor on Gnats. He was then selected for an exchange with the Canadian Armed Forces in Quebec flying the F-101 Voodoo with 416 Sqn, 22nd NORAD. Moving back to the UK he joined 4 Sqn flying Gnats before serving with the MoD responsible for Air Defence and Flying Tactics. He then spent over 20 years with the Civil Aviation Authority which included 10 years flying Concorde.
Wing Commander MICHAEL RUSSELL OBE MBA - as a Navigator he flew with 201 Sqn at Kinloss on Shackletons before being part of the first operational crew to convert to Nimrods. He completed a full tour on Nimrods and a staff tour with CTTO writing Tactics Manuals for Nimrods. Returning to operations he flew as Navigation Leader with 120 Sqn at Kinloss and led several search missions for missing aircraft. He also served at HQ Strike Command, Staff College, Air HQ Episkopi, Cyprus and with the MoD.
Air Vice-Marshal GRAHAM WILLIAMS - a Pilot with 54 Sqn on Hunters before spending time as an Instructor on Hunters and Meteors. He then transferred to 8 Sqn in Aden, again on Hunters, and joined the A&AEE testing many aircraft including Lightnings, Harriers and Phantoms. He was appointed OC of 3 Sqn at Wildenrath on Harriers and then OC of Brüggen, Germany on Jaguars. Back in the UK he served with Experimental Flying RAE, Farnborough and A&AAE, Boscombe Down on many aircrafts including Buccaneers, Gazelles and Sea Furys.
Flight Lieutenant DAVID ASHOVER AFC - an evacuee during WWII he joined the RAF as an apprentice electrical fitter in 1947 at RAF Halton. After graduating he applied for aircrew and trained as a pilot in southern Rhodesia before returning to the UK and converting to Jets. He was one of the first pilots to fly Canberras with 9 Sqn and after a spell instructing was posted to 213 Sqn in Germany before returning as an instructor and test pilot on Canberras. David also flew with the Empire Test Pilots' School, and his long and distinguished career saw him fly no less than FIFTY-FOUR types of aircraft.
Squadron Leader DEREK SHARP AFC - during his years of service, Derek flew Canberras, Hunters, Hawks, Jaguars and the mighty VC10, to name just a few. Among the flying qualifications he gained were QFI*, CIRE, TI, and ended up flying Royalty & Heads of State in the VC10. He still flies today, owning his own RAF Bulldog, teaches formation flying and has clocked up over 10,000 hours.
Entry to our Gallery events is FREE but for safety reasons it is important to RESERVE YOUR TICKET IN ADVANCE. Unfortunately, on event days, we can't allow entry to anyone who hasn't reserved a place. Even if you're not 100% sure that you can make it, please book your place in advance and if your plans change, just let us know.
Bookings are now being taken so please contact us to reserve your place!
