Fighter Pilot

[Stendec5]

Just rewatched the TV series from 1981 "Fighter Pilot" which follows the travails of 6 RAF pilot hopefuls. Rhod Smart, Robbie Low, Alistair Stewart, Martin Oxborrow, Trevor Lewis and the inimitable John McCrea,the only one in the programme to make fast-jet pilot (Buccaneers).
What became of these men? Anyone?

[Corporal Clott]

Flight Lieutenant Robbie Low, reservist aircrew, has clocked up his 4000th hour flying in the RAF’s Tornado.
Serving on No 12 (Bomber) Squadron from RAF Lossiemouth, Robbie navigated through this amazing milestone whilst being piloted by Squadron Leader Dave Gallie.
Initially serving as a pilot in the 1980s, Robbie re-trained as a Navigator on Tornado in 1983. A long and distinguished career has seen him first become a Qualified Weapons Instructor and then become the Commanding Officer of No 31 Squadron during the Kosovo Campaign. He left regular service to join the reserves in 2001. Robbie flew missions during Operation TELIC in 2003 and was crew on the longest combat mission flown by the RAF since World War II.
Recently returning to No 12(Bomber) Squadron after a period as an instructor, it is fitting that he clocked up his 4000th hour whilst deployed on operations in the Middle East.
Wing Commander James Linter, Officer Commanding No 12 (Bomber) Squadron said, “Robbie’s experience and wisdom are invaluable on the Squadron, he has added so much to the whole Tornado Force and continues to do so daily.”
Photographs: Sgt Pete Mobbs.
Image one: http://www.raf.mod.uk/rafcms/mediafiles/B4C59E7E_1143_EC82_2E936EDECFC5EC4B.jpgFlight Lieutenant Robbie Low returns after completing 4000 flying hours on Tornado.

Source RAF Benson - News and Weather (http://www.raf.mod.uk/newsweather/index.cfm?storyid=B4C7EF4F-1143-EC82-2EA18F24FBD50973)

[500N]

Sten

I had 5 minutes to kill and just happened to pick one name that came up in Google.

Not sure if it is the same Martin Oxborrow but dates look right and he was a RAF Pilot.

Wales This Week, Social Insecurity | Wales - ITV News (http://www.itv.com/news/wales/2013-03-11/wales-this-week-social-insecurity/)

[Corporal Clott]

Rhod Smart trained as a navigator and went onto No.100 Sqn flying the Canberra, he went on to fly F4s on 74(F) Sqn.
Martin Oxborrow gained his wings and went multi engine, his first tour was with No.30 Sqn. flying the Hercules. I think he left a couple of years ago.
John McCrea who joined No.XV Sqn. at Laarbruch Germany flying the Buccaneer S.2b, he later served in the first Gulf War flying the Tornado GR.1. I think he might still be a QFI?
The ones who failed or gave it up were, Trevor Lewis who went to Reading University and Al Stewart who qulaified to a Nav, went to TWU at Brawdy on the Hawk and went onto the Buccaneer OCU with John McCrea then gave it all up!!! He left the RAF to become a wine merchant.

Robbie's most recent story is above.

[rolling20]

Fighter Pilot has been discussed on here at some length. I believe Martin Oxborrow is currently writing a book about the series, putting a few myths to bed and telling the true story, rather than the one the series would have us believe. Can't wait to read it!

[Corporal Clott]

500N - yes, that's Martin. He retired with a med issue. Lovely chap and I think he does PPrune occasionally.

[CoffmanStarter]

See here ...

http://www.pprune.org/military-aircrew/357532-does-anyone-know-what-happen-guy-after-being-grounded.html

And specifically Post #53.

[MG]

Just looked at that picture of the 4000 hr celebration. I delivered that jet from Warton on my last week of flying Tornados in June 92. How sad!

[RAFEngO74to09]

By contrast, "Jetstream" (2008) - a fly-on-the-wall documentary about RCAF pilots undergoing training on the F-18 - seemed accurate and balanced. The entire series used to be on You Tube but was taken down when a DVD was produced. Occasionally, an episode reappears - here is Episode 1.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ep1SvM5aVLA

[Stendec5]

Sad to see Martin Oxborrow's problems, I hope things work out for him. Yes, Martin was streamed onto multi-engines and flew Hercules.
One of the students that was sharing the house with John McCrea in the last couple of episodes was none other than Louis "Mad Dog" McQuade, who went on to fly Phantoms and was last heared of flying Hunters at Scampton.
Look at the choices they had as TWU came to an end...Harrier, Phantom, Lightning, Buccaneer, Jaguar, Victor, Canberra et al
Slightly less choice today methinks.

[thing]

By contrast, "Jetstream" (2008) - a fly-on-the-wall documentary about RCAF pilots undergoing training on the F-18

I thought that was an excellent series too.

Re instructional methods, I was taught to fly (PPL, not military) by an ex mob QFI who would have been in the RAF at the same time as the series was filmed. I know where he got his laid back and gentle manner from now...:)

[b15oxo]

Hi guys,
Just to accurately update everyone, I was Medically Discharged sadly with Phobic Anxiety and related Severe depression in December '97. I was extremely well looked after by the RAF and MOD, and until last year DWP. I then had to endure a lengthy battle about Employment & Support Allowance, rescued only by the actions of my MP, and Alastair Campbell(!). I have been contacted by many people in the Aviation world with a view to writing my Autobiography, and this is a long process, involving trying to contact my old compadres from the series(including Mike Jamieson!). I've now spoken to them all, except John McCrea who doesn't seem very keen to talk about it!
I had a wonderful aviation career with tours as a Co- Pilot on 30Sqn, and as a Captain on 47& 24 sqn ending up as Flt Lt Specialist Aircrew and I wouldn't have changed it for the World; apart from being tarnished by that TV series (which the general public loved - the Book was a best seller!) I have no regrets. Regards to everyone who remembers, I'm now living quietly with 3 dogs, 3 horses, 3 Children, 3 Grandchildren, and my wonderful wife in West Wales.
Martin Oxborrow

[Stendec5]

Obviously you blokes would have viewed the series from a different perspective, but I loved it. All the best, Martin. Good luck with the book. I'll definately buy a copy.

[Cows getting bigger]

Martin, we crossed paths at Gutersloh in the late 80s when you worked in the COC. Best regards.

[DCThumb]

Oxo,

I was an avid viewer of the Tv series and it was an utter pleasure to fly with you on XXIV many years ago now - I have just replaced my copy of the book that I lost many years ago for my son to read!! Glad to hear you are OK!

Amusingly, I met John and Alex Mcrea last week. Both are still Barkston QFIs.

[Bladdered]

Nobody has mentioned Howard Davies - thought he was in the programme too. Worse driver than John McCrea :)

[Fox3WheresMyBanana]

Rhod Smart picked up the nickname 'Lord Lucan' in later years. He was 100% reliably the last to briefings/meetings, which was actually quite convenient since you knew if he was there, everybody else must be.:ok:

[TEEEJ]

Published on 22 Feb 2016
We interviewed Martin Oxborrow, he is an ex RAF C-130 Pilot and one of the stars of the 1980 BBC documentary 'Fighter Pilot'

He talks about his life flying the Hercules, filming 'Fighter Pilot', the Falklands and also mental health.

iBtae6-61LA&feature=related

[airpolice]

He left regular service to join the reserves in 2001. Robbie flew missions during Operation TELIC in 2003 and was crew on the longest combat mission flown by the RAF since World War II.

Would Blackbuck not be considered combat?

[Coochycool]

airpolice beat me to it.

But whether or not Black Buck was longer, could some kind soul please elude to the specifics of what other mission was in mind re that statement?

Still remember as a boy trying to beg borrow or steal video copies of that series at a time when not everyone had one. Inspirational it was

[Davef68]

Longest flown from the UK?

[Fayboy]

Hi guys,
Just to accurately update everyone, I was Medically Discharged sadly with Phobic Anxiety and related Severe depression in December '97. I was extremely well looked after by the RAF and MOD, and until last year DWP. I then had to endure a lengthy battle about Employment & Support Allowance, rescued only by the actions of my MP, and Alastair Campbell(!). I have been contacted by many people in the Aviation world with a view to writing my Autobiography, and this is a long process, involving trying to contact my old compadres from the series(including Mike Jamieson!). I've now spoken to them all, except John McCrea who doesn't seem very keen to talk about it!
I had a wonderful aviation career with tours as a Co- Pilot on 30Sqn, and as a Captain on 47& 24 sqn ending up as Flt Lt Specialist Aircrew and I wouldn't have changed it for the World; apart from being tarnished by that TV series (which the general public loved - the Book was a best seller!) I have no regrets. Regards to everyone who remembers, I'm now living quietly with 3 dogs, 3 horses, 3 Children, 3 Grandchildren, and my wonderful wife in West Wales.
Martin Oxborrow

Loved that series, just absolutely loved it...I was only 13 when it came out and was totally glued. Read the book in a oner when it came out too. I suspect and hope that the true behind the scenes stuff will be released in your book. Hope you are well Martin and that life is rewarding you with happiness and joy

[longer ron]

Sorry to resurrect an old thread but we enjoyed re - watching this series recently in VHS quality with a nostalgic bit of 'Wow and Flutter' on the music occasionally :)
Just one question though and hopefully somebody on here might know the answer - whilst the students 'progress' was being reviewed (Linton phase ??) one of the reviewing officers present in the office was an AVM (or perhaps AM ?) with a fair smattering of medals inc DFC (or AFC ? - colour not too clear on our copy) - he looked a little familar facially but I couldn't think of his name.
I may try to get a screenshot after some more caffein :).
Please note I do not mean AVM 'Jock' Kennedy who was the reviewing officer at one of the Graduations (Henlow I think).

cheers/rgds LR

[longer ron]

I got these 2 screengrabs from youtube,this is the AVM I was asking about above - one of those faces that looks very different from left and right,hopefully somebody might recognise him :)

https://i.imgur.com/4j41TW8.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/1bGvJqT.png

[212man]

King’s Crown on his wings?

[sycamore]

"B".the `B$%&*^D...I think...watched him humiliate a G/C in front of Station personnel on an AOC`s Inspection..(silly hostage game,with Staish in his `shreddies`,carrying a `bag of gold/$/£` to a waiting jet.) Respect for the Staish rose,whilst that for the AOC went totally...not that it was very high to begin with..!

[longer ron]

A very cryptic post Sycamore ??
I am not sure who you mean - if you are thinking it is JEJ - I doubt it as he retired in 1965 afaik and the medal grouping would be incorrect.
Maybe you could PM me the name if you do not want to put it out on a public forum.

rgds LR

[MPN11]

It is indeed 'him' ... he was my Stn Cdr when he commanded RAF Honington (and thus the Honington Admin Wing Detachment (HAWD) at Eastern Radar, RAF Watton). Not a very nice man, IIRC.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Bairsto

Interestingly varied career in the early days.
P E Bairsto (http://www.rafweb.org/Biographies/Bairsto.htm)

[MPN11]

King’s Crown on his wings?
His wings predated the accession of HMQ, and ISTR the original KG VI version was permitted to be retained.

[longer ron]

Many thanks MPN and Sycamore.
I luckily never met him then :)
I just thought he looked a little familiar facially .
As you say - an unusual start to his RAF career.

[longer ron]

I forgot to say - nice to see WO Jack Holt in action on the station tannoy.
Everybody always tried to avoid him like the plague,he was actually a really nice guy beyond the 'SWO' Act.
He was our SWO at Cottesmore in 1974 ish and of course always to be avoided unless one really wanted a haircut :)

[Barksdale Boy]

Met him once at the debrief for Double Top 1981. He displayed a complete ignorance of MBF operations and when this became obvious, even to him, he stormed out, blustering away to the last.

[rolling20]

Ah the SWO.
Once as a UAS cadet I was in an APO's twenty odd year old Vauxhall driving past the Officers Mess @ St Athan,
when above the din of the said cars engine, we heard a noise which we weren't quite sure of.
We both looked at each other thinking the engine had given out, but no, about 30 yards away and closing , was the SWO.
Indescribable noises emitted forth and we were told in no uncertain terms our futures, all through wound up windows.
A face then thrust itself through a window being hastily half opened and asked none too politely what we were doing driving past the Officers Mess.
On production of the APO's 1250, the face moved back, stood bolt upright, saluted and bade us good day.
We drove off, parked and headed to the bar, to calm our nerves.

[Cat Techie]

Had the joy of dinning with Robbie and Sara at a 6 Sqn guest dining in night at Lossie 5 years ago. I was sitting next to Sara and noticed the surname. It was when she mentioned Robbie, I asked " Is your husband, the Robbie Lowe from Fighter Pilot?" Sara and I are from the same part of the country so had loads to talk about and had a few jars with Robbie in the bar afterwards. Delightful couple. He was running the sim then with Obi Whan's Brother (whom I knew before from his Eastern Airways driving days)