Air Commodore John Spencer
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Air Commodore John Spencer
Reading reports on FB of his passing yesterday - surprised it's not already been reported on here?
RIP Sir
RIP Sir
Join Date: Oct 2007
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Saddened to hear of the death of 'Spon'. I served under him three times, probably uniquely; he was my Flight Commander, my Squadron Commander (OC XI Sqn) and my Station Commander (Binbrook). Aside from being a great man, he was one of the best fighter pilots and fighter leaders it was ever my privilege to meet. He will forever be linked with the Lightning and I learned much from him, mostly about how to win. RIP Sir.
From: index
Funeral on Friday December 5th at 10.00am.
Greenacres Woodland Burials, Colney, B1108 (just off the A47 Norwich Bypass, Norwich side)
Norfolk NR4 7TY tel 01603 811556.
Donations to the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund and family flowers only.
RIP Spon, sir.
Funeral on Friday December 5th at 10.00am.
Greenacres Woodland Burials, Colney, B1108 (just off the A47 Norwich Bypass, Norwich side)
Norfolk NR4 7TY tel 01603 811556.
Donations to the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund and family flowers only.
RIP Spon, sir.
Farewell John
I did Air War College with John at Maxwell AFB - Class of 89.
Very much enjoyed his company and friendship during our 12 months together.
Sorry to learn of his premature passing.
Great guy.
If anyone has a current link to Pat, please PM me so I can send condolences from myself and my wife.
Very much enjoyed his company and friendship during our 12 months together.
Sorry to learn of his premature passing.
Great guy.
If anyone has a current link to Pat, please PM me so I can send condolences from myself and my wife.
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Had the pleasure of a short chat with him a few years ago at Brunty - very humble, mild mannered chap. Also remember back in 87/88 the fabulous farewell lightning routines that he led - you don't get flying like that anymore!
Long may he RIP.
Long may he RIP.
Join Date: Jan 2004
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Air Commodore John Spencer
We joined the RAF together, trained together, flew together and joined our first operational squadron together. John was not only a gifted pilot, but a true gentleman, who was my closest friend and will be sorely missed.
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Top floor, b@stards moved me. NO LONGER watchin the circuit
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John Spencer – Fighter pilot
I had heard JS was quite ill last time I visited Bruntingthorpe and had made a decision that if possible I would attend his funeral as he was the best Boss I ever served under during my career. Alas this is not possible due to pressing arrangements. I posted on a couple of Facebook sites a humorous story... I hope you don't mind me sharing here......
A personal story of John Spencer at RAF Binbrook in the early 80’s. He was the Boss of 11 (F) Squadron and I was a corporal Ramp Tramp ! (Flight servicing the jets on the pan – a busy and physical existence)
JS was a fearsome fighter pilot of the ‘Old school’ persuasion and took no prisoners if annoyed .... on a good day he scared the crap out of the majority of squadron members.
He was immediately recognisable as he wore a canvass under helmet and a silver bone dome... I doubt if it was even legal but I digress...
On the day in question we were slightly short of manpower and it was really busy. I got scrambled out of the Line Hut with one mechanic to see in 2 jets that were already waiting (not a great start). We ran into position, taxied the first in and slung in some wheel chocks. I ran to the next vacant slot and started to marshal the second one in. I then saw the helmet, it was silver, .... Oh bugger!
I rushed around doing the checks and slinging in the chocks. As the engines were running down I got the aircraft steps. The Lightning has 4 holes (and slots) in the fuselage and the steps have 4 metal knobs that fit in and slide down to securely attach the ladders to the jet. There are also 2 seater Lightning’s with slightly different front fuselages. These required different steps. But a clever person had also designed a set of steps that one set of knobs could be loosened and rotated, to choose if they were for single or 2 seat operations. We never used this function as we had loads of steps on the flight line. The set I grabbed were of this type and unbeknown to me the top knob retaining bolts had worked loose. To fit said steps you pushed the 4 knobs into the holes, slid them down and then jumped on the bottom rung to make sure they were OK. So far so good. JS unstrapped, stood up and stepped out and turned around to descend the ladder, silver bone dome still on head. As he went down about two steps the ladders detached from the top two holes and swung violently outwards. Oh My God !! He held on grimly as the backs of his knees hit the in-flight refuelling probe, his feet were propelled off the ladders and his shins painfully struck the nearest metal rung, he let go with his hands and fell backwards over the probe !! He ended up with his shins painfully wedged in the ladders, his knees locked around the probe and upside down; eyeball to eyeball with yours truly. I am dead meat.... my only option was to get on the ladder as best I could and thump him as hard as I could between the shoulder blades to push him up and over the probe and upright again. This I did but it took 2 or 3 attempts. When I managed to get him upright I dejectedly held the base of the ladder as he descended. Lightning flight lines are noisy places but words were not required ..... I took the full force of a red faced John Spencer 30 second stare .... Well, that’s my career down the swanny...
I carried out the turn round in sullen silence and went back to the line hut. About an hour later the call came. Boss’s Office 10 minute.... this is it, my life is about to change for the worse.. changed into ‘blues’ grabbed my beret and waited ... the Sqn Adj marched me in and I slung up the bestest salute of my career and stood to attention awaiting the ‘hair dryer treatment’ .... seconds passed. Jeez, I’m getting kicked off this squadron... “Take your headdress off and sit down” was the barked order. I did. “Have you anything to say for yourself?” I trotted out the most grovelling of apologies and our eyes met .... “Son, Your face was a f***ing picture” and he just beamed at me !! “Well Sir, yours was too!!” was my very relieved and slightly cheeky reply. Phew...
I stayed on the Squadron under the command of JS. Had a great time and was promoted at the end of it. He went on to command RAF Binbrook and we both met a few years ago at Bruntingthorpe where he signed a commemorative print for me. We belly laughed over this incident.
Rest In Peace John Spencer – Fighter pilot
A personal story of John Spencer at RAF Binbrook in the early 80’s. He was the Boss of 11 (F) Squadron and I was a corporal Ramp Tramp ! (Flight servicing the jets on the pan – a busy and physical existence)
JS was a fearsome fighter pilot of the ‘Old school’ persuasion and took no prisoners if annoyed .... on a good day he scared the crap out of the majority of squadron members.
He was immediately recognisable as he wore a canvass under helmet and a silver bone dome... I doubt if it was even legal but I digress...
On the day in question we were slightly short of manpower and it was really busy. I got scrambled out of the Line Hut with one mechanic to see in 2 jets that were already waiting (not a great start). We ran into position, taxied the first in and slung in some wheel chocks. I ran to the next vacant slot and started to marshal the second one in. I then saw the helmet, it was silver, .... Oh bugger!
I rushed around doing the checks and slinging in the chocks. As the engines were running down I got the aircraft steps. The Lightning has 4 holes (and slots) in the fuselage and the steps have 4 metal knobs that fit in and slide down to securely attach the ladders to the jet. There are also 2 seater Lightning’s with slightly different front fuselages. These required different steps. But a clever person had also designed a set of steps that one set of knobs could be loosened and rotated, to choose if they were for single or 2 seat operations. We never used this function as we had loads of steps on the flight line. The set I grabbed were of this type and unbeknown to me the top knob retaining bolts had worked loose. To fit said steps you pushed the 4 knobs into the holes, slid them down and then jumped on the bottom rung to make sure they were OK. So far so good. JS unstrapped, stood up and stepped out and turned around to descend the ladder, silver bone dome still on head. As he went down about two steps the ladders detached from the top two holes and swung violently outwards. Oh My God !! He held on grimly as the backs of his knees hit the in-flight refuelling probe, his feet were propelled off the ladders and his shins painfully struck the nearest metal rung, he let go with his hands and fell backwards over the probe !! He ended up with his shins painfully wedged in the ladders, his knees locked around the probe and upside down; eyeball to eyeball with yours truly. I am dead meat.... my only option was to get on the ladder as best I could and thump him as hard as I could between the shoulder blades to push him up and over the probe and upright again. This I did but it took 2 or 3 attempts. When I managed to get him upright I dejectedly held the base of the ladder as he descended. Lightning flight lines are noisy places but words were not required ..... I took the full force of a red faced John Spencer 30 second stare .... Well, that’s my career down the swanny...
I carried out the turn round in sullen silence and went back to the line hut. About an hour later the call came. Boss’s Office 10 minute.... this is it, my life is about to change for the worse.. changed into ‘blues’ grabbed my beret and waited ... the Sqn Adj marched me in and I slung up the bestest salute of my career and stood to attention awaiting the ‘hair dryer treatment’ .... seconds passed. Jeez, I’m getting kicked off this squadron... “Take your headdress off and sit down” was the barked order. I did. “Have you anything to say for yourself?” I trotted out the most grovelling of apologies and our eyes met .... “Son, Your face was a f***ing picture” and he just beamed at me !! “Well Sir, yours was too!!” was my very relieved and slightly cheeky reply. Phew...
I stayed on the Squadron under the command of JS. Had a great time and was promoted at the end of it. He went on to command RAF Binbrook and we both met a few years ago at Bruntingthorpe where he signed a commemorative print for me. We belly laughed over this incident.
Rest In Peace John Spencer – Fighter pilot
Join Date: Jan 2004
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1(F) in Aden
Hello,
not many of us left now! I was in Khormaksar with 1Sqn in december 61,
but don't remember much about it and have temporarily mislaid logbook. I will get in touch and let you know. I am having huge clear out and tidying up estate at the moment, so may take few days. May I ask your name? my email:[email protected]
regards
Mike (Pogz) of the long ago terrible twins of Pogz and Spon.
not many of us left now! I was in Khormaksar with 1Sqn in december 61,
but don't remember much about it and have temporarily mislaid logbook. I will get in touch and let you know. I am having huge clear out and tidying up estate at the moment, so may take few days. May I ask your name? my email:[email protected]
regards
Mike (Pogz) of the long ago terrible twins of Pogz and Spon.
