Received an email from testpilotdaughter, a just joined member.

I have only just become aware of this website, but, on seeing that my father's name is included in some of the posts, I just wanted to let you all know that Reggie Spiers (Air Commodore R. J. SPIERS), the third of four brothers who all joined the RAF, died on 2nd June 2017 after suffering from dementia for some years. He had a wonderful life as a test pilot for most of his years in the RAF, including postings to ETPS and RAE.

I do not know who should be notified, but could you kindly pass on this information to any relevant parties.

Many thanks, Linda Spiers

Thank you ,Reggie,Sir,for all your comments and criticisms( in red ink,of course!) for letting me pass through the gates(both in,and out...) of ETPS....

Aviators Extraordinary
 

I have just joined the Forum - my father was Reggie Spiers, who died on 2nd June 2017, the 64th anniversary of Coronation Day, when he took part in the flying display.
My sister and I did not know a great deal about his life and career in the RAF as a test pilot, only that he absolutely loved every minute he could fly, including on his final day in the RAF at his beloved ETPS.
He also greatly enjoyed the reunions at Popham, and I am thrilled to see the photograph in this thread - thank you, John Farley (whom my sister Carolyn - then a young physio! - treated in the late 1970s). Some of the names are familiar as well and, before the dreaded dementia caught him, Father loved to reminisce and was always happiest either flying or shooting or talking about them!
Thank you all for your amazing lives! Linda

I would imagine that Reggie had much to reminisce about. I only met him briefly during formal ‘inspections’ of RAE outstations - Bedford.

A quick update on what was new - Reggie was always well informed, then “what are we going to fly”, seeking a new aircraft type or at least an unusual test activity.
Any formality of inspection was usually a walk through the offices, comparing the quality of plastic models; and beware anyone who mentioned the wind tunnel ‘model shop’, which would delay lunch even further.

He was the master 'model' for all test pilots.

strapped him in many times at boscombe during his time in charge there , always a gentleman , very sad to hear of his passing

Reggie was certainly a great asset to ETPS as CTFI, when I was a student there in 1970. Always had entertaining anecdotes in the mess, and was a wonderful joke resource.
Wonder what became of his diary of joke punchlines, which I don't think he really needed to refer to very often.
RIP Reggie

testpilotdaughter, Not, perchance, related to Sarah Spiers who flew the B744 for BA?

I went to Len Houston's funeral yesterday ...what a man ...a nice send off ...wish that I had known him better