Raymond Baxter dies, aged 84
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Essex
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Sad news indeed.Just heard on local radio(BBC Essex) Raymond Baxter in an old interview "I have the highest regard for the United States.In two operational tours they were the only ones who managed to shoot me down"!
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: UK
Posts: 125
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
One of the last of a kind.
Pilot, Broadcaster of renown and Rally Driver from the old school having competed in the Monte etc.
He made one of the most funniest speeches I have ever heard at an Ecurie Cod Fillet (don't ask if you don't know!) re-union a few years ago.
Irreplacable, Rest in Peace Raymond.
Pilot, Broadcaster of renown and Rally Driver from the old school having competed in the Monte etc.
He made one of the most funniest speeches I have ever heard at an Ecurie Cod Fillet (don't ask if you don't know!) re-union a few years ago.
Irreplacable, Rest in Peace Raymond.
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: N Yorkshire, UK
Age: 76
Posts: 484
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
A childhood hero of mine also much respected by my old man - and that must say something!!!
Recently bought & read his autobiography 'Tales of my Time' - surely a man of our times!!!
PZU - Out of Africa
Recently bought & read his autobiography 'Tales of my Time' - surely a man of our times!!!
PZU - Out of Africa
Last edited by pzu; 15th Sep 2006 at 18:44.
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: London
Posts: 2,916
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Very sorry to hear the news. He was a delightful man.
He helped me with my very first aviation case 25+ years ago. (Representing the late great Stef Karwowski accused of breaching Rule 5 - wrongly accused, of course.
) And finally, only a few months ago, he was an enormous help when I was doing some research on the early days of the Arrows for the eulogy at Ray Hanna's memorial service.
I could happily listen to him talk for hours. He had such a wonderful command of language - as good as anyone I've met in my life - and the talent hadn't diminished with increasing age.
He's in this picture, emerging from St Clement Danes.
He was a success in many different spheres, and will be missed by countless admirers in each of them.
Rest in Peace, Raymond.
Tudor Owen
He helped me with my very first aviation case 25+ years ago. (Representing the late great Stef Karwowski accused of breaching Rule 5 - wrongly accused, of course.
) And finally, only a few months ago, he was an enormous help when I was doing some research on the early days of the Arrows for the eulogy at Ray Hanna's memorial service.I could happily listen to him talk for hours. He had such a wonderful command of language - as good as anyone I've met in my life - and the talent hadn't diminished with increasing age.
He's in this picture, emerging from St Clement Danes.
He was a success in many different spheres, and will be missed by countless admirers in each of them.
Rest in Peace, Raymond.
Tudor Owen
Buzz off with BAF!!
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Essex England
Posts: 223
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
"And now from the Laffins Plain end.............!"
"Coming in over the Black Sheds..................!"
In the immortal words of Roger Bacon "Suddenly a cloud came and took all away."
RIP Raymond and thankyou.
"Coming in over the Black Sheds..................!"
In the immortal words of Roger Bacon "Suddenly a cloud came and took all away."
RIP Raymond and thankyou.
I waws brought up on "Tommorrows World". My passion for technology and aviation is a direct result of Raymond Baxter's knowledgeable and passionate presentation.
The world is getting smaller.
The world is getting smaller.
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Cheshire
Posts: 183
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My favourite quote as Concorde lifted off on its first yest flight - "It flies!"
Ex- Spitfire pilot, dies on Battle of Britain day, though I think his Spitfire days were a year later(?)
R.I.P.
Ex- Spitfire pilot, dies on Battle of Britain day, though I think his Spitfire days were a year later(?)
R.I.P.
Cool Mod
Join Date: Apr 1998
Location: 18nm N of LGW
Posts: 6,185
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I have only just heard of Ray's passing. While it is not a shock, because of his ill health, it is nonetheless a moment for those who knew him well, as I did, who find it hard to accept.
I have known him since 1977 during the days, months and years of Leisure Sport. He was much loved by all the team and staff there and enjoyed the many social hours we spent at what we called the "Big House" at Thorpe Park.
I invited him to at our Gatbash at the very place we are having the next one, at the Thistle hotel in Horley. He amused everyone with his brilliant repartee and then enjoyed the evening chatting to our friend John Farley and many others. It was only when his wonderful secretary, Margaret, said they should get back to his Thameside home that he bade farewell after midnight.
I will miss him personally, but there are perhaps millions who will miss him too, and remember his fantastic ability as a broadcaster. Others will remember his days as a very special Spitfire pilot who led many daring raids at very low level over Belgium.
RIP Ray, your memory will last forever.
I have known him since 1977 during the days, months and years of Leisure Sport. He was much loved by all the team and staff there and enjoyed the many social hours we spent at what we called the "Big House" at Thorpe Park.
I invited him to at our Gatbash at the very place we are having the next one, at the Thistle hotel in Horley. He amused everyone with his brilliant repartee and then enjoyed the evening chatting to our friend John Farley and many others. It was only when his wonderful secretary, Margaret, said they should get back to his Thameside home that he bade farewell after midnight.
I will miss him personally, but there are perhaps millions who will miss him too, and remember his fantastic ability as a broadcaster. Others will remember his days as a very special Spitfire pilot who led many daring raids at very low level over Belgium.
RIP Ray, your memory will last forever.
Pilot of the Airwaves
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Close to the Med
Age: 74
Posts: 812
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
As a fellow broadcaster, I can tell you that the daddy of us all will be sadly missed.
A great knowledgable chap. You knew when he did a prog that what he spake was thouroughly researched and spot on (unlike today's poor excuses).
Here's a toast to you Raymond!
A great knowledgable chap. You knew when he did a prog that what he spake was thouroughly researched and spot on (unlike today's poor excuses).
Here's a toast to you Raymond!
Raymond Baxter Died...
...today. A voice that I grew up with watching Tomorrows World. As well as being known for his TV work he was also an ex RAF WW2 Spitfire pilot.
BBC News Item
BBC News Item
Moderator
Join Date: Jul 1997
Location: Europe
Posts: 3,228
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
As recounted by PPRuNe Pop, his appearance at a GatBash is fondly remembered. A legend and someone etched forever in my memory (especially the G-VTOL ski jump take off).
Mind you, a friend of mine was at an Air Britain quiz night whilst at Uni way back in the 80's when Raymond was quizmaster. He was more drunk than the students apparently, before the night even started
A star !!!
Mind you, a friend of mine was at an Air Britain quiz night whilst at Uni way back in the 80's when Raymond was quizmaster. He was more drunk than the students apparently, before the night even started
A star !!!
Gnome de PPRuNe
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Too close to Croydon for comfort
Age: 60
Posts: 12,664
Received 321 Likes
on
178 Posts
What a nice guy, head and shoulders with the other Ray (Hanna) in my opinion. I wish they were both still with us. Bless you Ray...
Do a Hover - it avoids G
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: Chichester West Sussex UK
Age: 91
Posts: 2,206
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The word professional is sometimes used a bit loosely these days but if ever anybody deserved to be so described it was Raymond. I was fortunate to fly with him several times including broadcasting live from Farnborough. His command of the language and sense of occasion was superb.
But for me the best thing he ever did was at the Fairford RAF 75th Birthday show when he broadcast live from the behind the pilot in the BBMF Lancaster as it led a formation of current RAF aircraft across the field.
He had just less than a minute to do justice to 75 years of the Royal Air Force. He used 116 words.
(You will have to imagine the background sound of four Merlins as well as the strains of the Royal Air Force March which the producer mixed in behind Raymond's words)
"If ever there was a flying shrine to courage, you join me there now. In these confined spaces brave men fought and died.
The history of the Royal Air Force is punctuated by great names both within and without the Service. Some defied the politicians, some defied the accepted rules of technology, some defied the enemy in the face of fearful odds.
But the people who made the Royal Air Force what it was and is today are anonymous. They are the men and women who were, and still are, prepared to serve and simply go on doing the job in hand, to the best of their ability whatever the circumstances and however great the cost"
How many people could match that?
I shall miss him.
But for me the best thing he ever did was at the Fairford RAF 75th Birthday show when he broadcast live from the behind the pilot in the BBMF Lancaster as it led a formation of current RAF aircraft across the field.
He had just less than a minute to do justice to 75 years of the Royal Air Force. He used 116 words.
(You will have to imagine the background sound of four Merlins as well as the strains of the Royal Air Force March which the producer mixed in behind Raymond's words)
"If ever there was a flying shrine to courage, you join me there now. In these confined spaces brave men fought and died.
The history of the Royal Air Force is punctuated by great names both within and without the Service. Some defied the politicians, some defied the accepted rules of technology, some defied the enemy in the face of fearful odds.
But the people who made the Royal Air Force what it was and is today are anonymous. They are the men and women who were, and still are, prepared to serve and simply go on doing the job in hand, to the best of their ability whatever the circumstances and however great the cost"
How many people could match that?
I shall miss him.
Guest
Posts: n/a
Not a great surprise, but not welcome nonetheless. Bless you Ray.
I remember him fondly from my impressionable years, not only from his influence upon me at the RAeS during my aeronautical engineering degree, but also as a very respected commentator and Tommorow's World presenter.
DT
I remember him fondly from my impressionable years, not only from his influence upon me at the RAeS during my aeronautical engineering degree, but also as a very respected commentator and Tommorow's World presenter.
DT