Robert Prest- What became of him?

[CAT MAN]

Hi all,

As a teenager back in the early eighties, I read "F4 Phantom a pilot's story" by Robert Prest. Perhaps others who look around in here have read it themselves.

It was one of those few publications that gave some insight into the day to day world of the fighter pilot.

Does anyone know what he does now?

[johnfairr]

CM

Check out the F4 Phantom thread, there's a bit about him on there.

[Nostone]

Bob Prest.
Made a name for himself as a highly capable F4 pilot in the RAF. I often heard him referred to as a “natural” pilot, whatever that means. He also made a name for himself with his book. The powers that be only found out about it at the last minute but, fortunately, did not ban it and allowed it to be published after a rewrite to avoid any embarrassment to the innocent.
He then flew Jaguars for a Middle East air force where he was known as BCP. He had many claims to fame whilst there. The most famous, I suppose, when he ejected from the back seat, in an incipient spin, below 100 feet. The front seat pilot ejected even later and survived. Good old Martin Baker. There was a 40 knot wind blowing and Bob was dragged for over a kilometre across the stony desert. He was lucky to get out of that scrape.
He then became an airline captain with a major Middle East airline and is the only person I have heard of to go straight into the left seat of a big jet having never sat in the right hand seat of any other aircraft, ever. But that is another story.
He is starting a new job with a cargo outfit further east flying 744s.
Bob, perhaps you will blow the dust off your typewriter and give in to public demand.
Another person who should put pen to paper is R*ck Le*. I wish I had the film rights to his life story.

[UNCTUOUS]

Yes
R*ck Le*. might be interested in the background story to his final shafting at the hands of the dreaded Ri**a*d B**b**l

I doubt that anyone else has been in the position to reveal that he could have won on a technicality - had he stuck to his guns.....or been better advised.......or just pressed.