Surprised that a "peacetime" AFC was not fully documented in the London Gazette. Jock Stirrup's was:
AIR FORCE DEPARTMENT
Whitehall, London SW1A 2KB.
12th July 1983.
The QUEEN has been graciously pleased to approve the following award:
Air Force Cross
Squadron Leader Graham Eric STIRRUP (8020760D), Royal Air Force.
On 7th March 1983 Squadron Leader Stirrup, a flight commander on No. 226 Operational Conversion Unit R.A.F. Lossiemouth was conducting a student progress check from the rear seat of a Jaguar aircraft at low level when there was a bang followed by severe vibration and his forward vision became completely obscured by blood and bird remains. As Squadron Leader Stirrup was unable to see or communicate with the front cockpit and did not know if his student was conscious, he immediately took control and started to climb. All radios and the navigation system were inoperative so he jettisoned his external stares into the sea. He then headed for Royal Air Force Leuchars carrying out low speed handling checks which revealed a flap control restriction. At the same time the vibration increased and the temperature of one engine rose rapidly; he closed the throttle to idle and prepared for a single engine approach. W ith no forward visibility Squadron Leader Stirrup crossed the calculated centreline of the runway before 'turning to fly parallel with it. Once he could see the approach features he gradually aligned the aircraft with the runway. About 3 miles short of touch- down the idling engine began to burn but could not be shut down because, if it had seized, the resulting increased drag would have proved catastrophic. Squadron Leader Stirrup would have been justified in abandoning the air- craft, but still unaware if his student was conscious or not he elected to attempt to land. The debris andflames from the engine set fire to the ground beneath the aircraft which was at a height of 100 feet when he first glimpsed the corner of the runway threshold and managed to land straight ahead. After touchdown the braking parachute deployed. The only control is in the front cockpit and this indicated that the student was conscious. Squadron Leader Stirrup turned off the runway; the damaged engine was still burning when he and his student vacated the aircraft. Throughout this difficult and dangerous recovery, Squadron Leader Stirrup displayed outstanding flying skills, airmanship and courage which not only saved a valuable aircraft but also would have saved the life of his student had he proved unable to eject.
Nice one Sir.
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Edited to add]: Must be only those not in NYHL or QBHL (like Jock's) that get the full write up in the Gazette. Peter Nelson's was there amongst 5 or 6 other AFCs and 5 bars to AFC, so perhaps it was space saving!