Aces in the RAF

[boswell bear]

Are there any "Aces" in current service with the RAF, still flying or in other posts?

[Jumping_Jack]

There's lots that think they are!

[philrigger]

The last ones that I saw were on the tails of 84 Squadron flying out of Khormaksar. I don't think that 84 at Akrotiri have them.

[Dominoe]

Aces

There is one Griffin in Cyprus with an Ace on its tail, the others each have a Heart, Club and Diamond respectfully. Come to think of it the cab with the Ace on the tail might currently be on loan to 60 Sqn at Shawbury.

[boswell bear]

I was thinking more of the pilots rather than the aircraft.

[airborne_artist]

Remind us how many RAF aircraft have splashed an enemy aircraft since, say, 1960?

[Spanish Waltzer]

There is one Griffin in Cyprus with an Ace on its tail, the others each have a Heart, Club and Diamond respectfully.

Why not a Spade?

And surely a heart/diamond/club is an ace therefore all aircraft are aces...or am I missing something

[effects]

Well there was the Toom that sorted the Jag....

[XV277]

The last (official) RAF aircraft air-to-air 'kill' was an Egyptian Spitfire in 1948.

A number of RAF pilots have achieved kills whilst flying with other services, notably USAF in Korea and RN in the Falklands. However, none of them have reached 'Ace' status.

So the answer is 'no'

[Spanish Waltzer]

Remind us how many RAF aircraft have splashed an enemy aircraft since, say, 1960?

one better than an aircraft how about an aircraft carrier

An "Own Goal" by the RAF
<[email protected]>
Thu, 23 Apr 1992 09:28:16 +0000
The following is quoted in its entirety, from the 23 Apr 1992 issue of The
Independent, a "quality" UK National Newspaper. Its discussion of how an Royal
Air Force Sea Harrier managed to bomb a Royal Navy aircraft carrier is entirely
speculative, offering either a computer malfunction, or failure by the pilot to
press a button as likely causes. However I find the statement that "offset"
bombing practice relies on a simple button press to ensure that the ship towing
the target does not itself become the target both interesting and worrying, if
true. Brian Randell

`ARK ROYAL' WAS BOMBED BY RAF HARRIER PILOT
By Christopher Bellamy, Defence Correspondent

The Royal Navy launched an inquiry yesterday into how a Royal Air Force pilot
bombed its most modern carrier, Ark Royal, on Monday, missing the intended
target by 500 yards. Navy sources said that one of the two RAF pilots flying
with the Royal Navy during the exercise had applied to transfer to the senior
service. It is not clear if the incident will affect that move.

[boswell bear]

My reason for asking is that in a recent conversation someone thought that the only serving officer who could be classed as an ace was a guy who flew in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965. Just wondered if that is correct.

[Chugalug2]

Why not a Spade?

There was a Constellation parked in the Western Dispersal of RAF Changi in the early sixties..that had an Ace of Spades on the tail! Trouble with the number three engine meant that it was parked there for a very long time, with the Chiefies earning pocket money by taking it to bits and then putting it together again. The hoped for engine change never materialised so eventually the engine was fired up, along with the others, and they departed (heading West). As soon as the wheels were up number three was feathered and they continued on their way. Not too sure if that meant they were Aces.

[TMJ]

Originally Posted by boswell bear

My reason for asking is that in a recent conversation someone thought that the only serving officer who could be classed as an ace was a guy who flew in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965. Just wondered if that is correct.

Would that be the chap who teaches (taught?) OS at Cranditz?

[boswell bear]

It could be?

[PPRuNeUser0211]

I can't remember that much about that chap's background but I do remember he was a great laugh but mad as a fish! Oh the comfy chair challenge....

[FlightTester]

Air to Air Kills...

I have a small model of a Tornado GR1 on my desk - XV Sqn, EA (aka Mig Killer). I believe it successfully took a Mig 29 out of the air during the Gulf War using JP233! Unfortunately I can't remember who was crewing it at the time.

Edit: Obviously the real aircraft and not the model on my desk took the Mig out!

[flytrap]

Box of frogs

The chap in question took great (and no doubt deserved) pride in telling everyone that he was indeed the only ace in the RAF, earned as declared above. I believe his nickname was 'Spider'. When everyone was in 'jumpers' no 2 rig he would make us all take them off to ensure everyone had ironed them. He was Pakistani. Not sure if he's still around. Mad as a...

[scarecrow450]

Thats one eck of a model if it did do it!
Did'nt a Torn GR1 destroy an Antonov that had just rotated during GW1 ?. Think it was the RAF's last air-air kill ????

[Arbie]

Hmm..

Wasn't it 'Spider' Webb at Carnditz, or does my memory deceive me? His dits all seemed to be very...colourful!

[Union Jack]

Ace in the Fleet Air Arm

Now if only 806 NAS were still in commission .....

Fortunately, however, the Ace of Diamonds is still proudly displayed on the RNHF Sea Hawk, vide BBC - Guernsey - In Pictures - Sea Hawk

Jack