Colin "Huggiss" Hughes AFC

[Min Drag]

I'm sad to report that "Huggiss" has passed away today aged 78 at home on his beloved Island of Anglesey with his wife Isabel at his side.

He was a great cold war sub-hunter who was the Captain of the winning Fincastle Trophy crew in 1973.

Huggis later flew for Dan Air and subsequently British Airways as a Training Captain.

He was a legend and a character wherever he went and will, I'm sure, be sadly missed by all who knew him as well as remembered for his politically incorrect use of the English language!!

RIP Huggis.

MD

[mike phillips]

He was a legend and a character wherever he went and will, I'm sure, be sadly missed by all who knew him as well as remembered for his politically incorrect use of the English language!! - summed up neatly, Min. He left a trail of laughter everywhere he went.

[Doptrack]

Which was how I was introduced to him. I've only just found out his first name was Colin

Wonderful character who will be missed at the MARCOls. RIP.

I've duplicated the information on a couple of Nimrod FB pages

[reynoldsno1]

Very sad to hear - he was a wonderful character and I feel privileged to have served on the same squadron as him

[olddog]

Very sad to hear this news. Huggis was a larger than life legend. A master of what would be termed politically incorrect these days - a mans man, as well as being one of the worlds experts in all matters maritime. RIP Huggis, keep a bar stool up there for me!

[TorqueOfTheDevil]

Very sad news. I had the privilege of meeting Huggiss and Isabel several times in the run-up to the 203 Centenary two years ago. A wonderful character in every respect. Details of funeral would be much appreciated in due course

[Hedfanwr]

Gorffwysa yn dawel Huggis

[Over the lights]

I had the privilege of flying as Huggiss's Nimrod co-pilot for the best part of 3 years. He was a brilliant pilot, exemplary leader and sub-hunter extraordinaire - and boy could he come up with some choice words and phrases!


He was the Cold War equivalent on Terry Bulloch DSO* DFC*; never was an Air Force Cross better earned.


I will miss him enormously.

[Over the lights]

Huggiss's funeral service will be held at the Bangor Crematorium on 22nd January at 1415 hrs.

[patleigh]

I first met Huggiss when I worked on 205 in Singapore in the Orderly Room! He and Isabelle became very good friends when Rod and I married 47 years ago. He was not only a "man's man" he was a thoroughly decent thoughtful individual who (with Isabelle) looked out for Squadron wives whose husband's were on detachment. He was a one-off and is going to be a huge loss to this world. RIP Huggiss. Hope you are up there having a drink with Rod. X

[5aday]

They didn't come much better than Colin Hughes. A top bloke. RIP Huggiss.

[Tinribs]

I had a small bit in the Nimrod scene at RAE Bedford with the Viscount platform for the searchwater radar before going to pastures new in 83.

I recall a bit about that comp, Didn't he find the "enemy" sub within seconds of startex because he just "knew" where it would be?

[Chugalug2]

I knew Colin at Dan-Air on the 1-11 and 737NG fleets and then in BA(EoG). He had kept all the attributes spoken of here from the RAF. Politically incorrect and full of fun at all times. We have all lost a great chum. RIP Colin.

[camlobe]

Have had the pleasure of life enrichment due to Colin's presence for a number of years. He regularly arrived in his Jaguar XK convertible and continued to fly until about a year ago in local spam cans whilst ensuring everyone around knew he was there. His infectious humour coupled with his legendary use of 'language skills' brightened up my day without fail. We compared notes on a number of occasions regarding Shack guys, even though those numbers are dwindling with the passage of time. I didn't realise until reading above that Colin was Captain of the winning Fincastle crew in '73.

Thanks Colin. You made a difference and will be missed.

Camlobe