Sqn Ldr Pete McNamara
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: USA
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Behind the drag curve
I realise that this is very late, but I have only just found out about M².
Around the time, one of my relatives was going through the same battle, and I was preparing to move to new pastures (surely there must be some new grass somewhere after all this rain!) and so completely missed the news.
I had the honour to have been one of M²'s muppets -logging many hours in the back of his Hawk.
I have to say that he is one of the finest aviators I have ever known. He mixed absolute professionalism with a superb sense of humour, and a dedication to share all his phenominal knowledge that was second to none.
I remember one pre-mission briefing when he switched on the OHP (remember them?!!) before he had stepped completely out of the way and got a face full of intense light. He immediately started to rattle through 'The Big 4' (as it was then) with his eyes wide open! - Absolutely priceless!!!
It was staggering, the way he could recall exactly what everyone had done in air combat sorties and of course then tell them what they should have done - a true Sky god!
M² - The sky's not the same now.
Thanks for all you did.
Until next time Bruv....
Around the time, one of my relatives was going through the same battle, and I was preparing to move to new pastures (surely there must be some new grass somewhere after all this rain!) and so completely missed the news.
I had the honour to have been one of M²'s muppets -logging many hours in the back of his Hawk.
I have to say that he is one of the finest aviators I have ever known. He mixed absolute professionalism with a superb sense of humour, and a dedication to share all his phenominal knowledge that was second to none.
I remember one pre-mission briefing when he switched on the OHP (remember them?!!) before he had stepped completely out of the way and got a face full of intense light. He immediately started to rattle through 'The Big 4' (as it was then) with his eyes wide open! - Absolutely priceless!!!
It was staggering, the way he could recall exactly what everyone had done in air combat sorties and of course then tell them what they should have done - a true Sky god!
M² - The sky's not the same now.
Thanks for all you did.
Until next time Bruv....
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: wales
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Having been out of the loop for a while I too was unaware of M2s sad demise. I consider myself honoured to have known him and worked alongside him. A comsumate professional, a true gent.
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: South of the Mason-Dixon...
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Not bad for a loadie...
...still remember walking out to a JP at Finningley with M2 for yet another tdcr when he confessed to being an ex-crewman, just as I was; put me right at ease and the trip was a blast. A truly talented and thougthful gentleman.
I was unable to make the funeral. I would really appreciate a PM from anyone who knows Pete's final resting place as I would dearly love to pay my respects.
Join Date: Mar 2009
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Sister of M2
Hello,
It's never too late to post a reply and I am really happy that you took the time and effort to post your message. It has been lovely and heart warming to read these thoughts and some funny memories from those individuals who came across M2 over the years.
It has been an important and inspiring source of comfort to realise that Peter, my big brother was remembered and appreciated so much, both as a pilot and a person.
I was not a part of his professional life, so to hear some of the stories and phrases uttered by him is a real joy. I think we all believe that our own family are important and loved but to find out that his friends and colleagues considered him as a 'good chap' and a true friend is special.
If anyone out there has any pictures of him - would there be any chance that I could have copies? I would love to have a record of him at work doing what I know he loved the most.
I would also like to know more about the various squadrons he was serving with and which RAF bases he flew from. I do have some information, but it is a little sketchy and probably not too accurate.
Kind regards and my thoughts also go to everyone who were his friends and colleagues, and who have also lost someone special in their life. He was a very special person missed by some many.
I can provide an address if you have anything to send me (fingers crossed!)
Vivien McNamara
[email protected]
[email protected]
It's never too late to post a reply and I am really happy that you took the time and effort to post your message. It has been lovely and heart warming to read these thoughts and some funny memories from those individuals who came across M2 over the years.
It has been an important and inspiring source of comfort to realise that Peter, my big brother was remembered and appreciated so much, both as a pilot and a person.
I was not a part of his professional life, so to hear some of the stories and phrases uttered by him is a real joy. I think we all believe that our own family are important and loved but to find out that his friends and colleagues considered him as a 'good chap' and a true friend is special.
If anyone out there has any pictures of him - would there be any chance that I could have copies? I would love to have a record of him at work doing what I know he loved the most.
I would also like to know more about the various squadrons he was serving with and which RAF bases he flew from. I do have some information, but it is a little sketchy and probably not too accurate.
Kind regards and my thoughts also go to everyone who were his friends and colleagues, and who have also lost someone special in their life. He was a very special person missed by some many.
I can provide an address if you have anything to send me (fingers crossed!)
Vivien McNamara
[email protected]
[email protected]
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: London
Age: 64
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Memories of M2
This evening I was trying my luck at looking up some old friends from the past that I have been meaning to make contact with over the busy decades that shoot past so fast, and was truly sorry to read about the death of an old friend Peter McNamara. I last saw Pete when he was doing his fast jet training at Valley, and will never forget his passing my group as we climbed up to Devil's Kitchen on the "A5 pass" - as aircrew call the Nant Ffrancon Valley in north Wales. Pete flew past in his hawk at the agreed time and waggled his wings to us - being pretty much level with our line of sight. It was a truly impressive and inspirational moment I waved like mad and watched longingly as the hawk sped away northwards.
I knew Pete from the age of 11 when I joined the Air Cadets in '71 and he was one of the Senior Cadet NCOs. In those days there was an immense amount of training that was passed down from senior to junior cadets without any adult intervention. I have been reading about his life that I was looking forward to catching up on and can see he has been a phenomenal flight instructor. Well even during his days in the ATC, he was a brilliant teacher and his style of leadership has been a life long influence on me. I have over the years qualified as more then one kind of teacher, and have always tried to motivate people just like Pete motivated me, and everyone around him.
I can also verify that his sense of humour and the one liners was in place even in those days, when he was in the sixth form at school. I can remember the day he left 57sqdn(ATC) to join up. I bought his parade boots from him - which were famous both in the squadron and the wing for being so immaculately shined! Indeed I kept them -spotless - for many years afterwards into adulthood as a memento of those happy times! My brother died of cancer back in 2005 and my father way back when I was a child and so I have a knowledge of how quick the illness can strike. I had heard from other ex-cadets in the service, that Pete had gone to fast jets and was working as an instructor, and of his nick name. I will so miss not being able to catch up on his adventures up there in the sky where I tried but failed to follow. If anyone can put me more in touch with his career since RAF Valley I would still love to be brought up to date. Oh and finally, I have to add a M2 one liner, which comes from when Pete was doing his initial hawk training - obviously a steep learning curve to say the least. Thoughtfully over a beer in the mess at RAF Valley (the day before he flew past our climbing group), recounting some of his training exploits to two wide eyed would-be pilots: "At 400knts and 100ft, for every minute I can't make up my mind thats another seven miles in the wrong direction!" (excuse me if I have got the exact figures wrong). Oh to have had such daily dilemmas think those of us who are not able to be flyers, and what a vivid picture to paint in one sentence, but how typical also of his modesty...he obviously did get through the course - "and how" to quote him. A truly generous person and inspirational leader. Bless you Pete. My best regards to your family and colleagues.
[email protected]
I knew Pete from the age of 11 when I joined the Air Cadets in '71 and he was one of the Senior Cadet NCOs. In those days there was an immense amount of training that was passed down from senior to junior cadets without any adult intervention. I have been reading about his life that I was looking forward to catching up on and can see he has been a phenomenal flight instructor. Well even during his days in the ATC, he was a brilliant teacher and his style of leadership has been a life long influence on me. I have over the years qualified as more then one kind of teacher, and have always tried to motivate people just like Pete motivated me, and everyone around him.
I can also verify that his sense of humour and the one liners was in place even in those days, when he was in the sixth form at school. I can remember the day he left 57sqdn(ATC) to join up. I bought his parade boots from him - which were famous both in the squadron and the wing for being so immaculately shined! Indeed I kept them -spotless - for many years afterwards into adulthood as a memento of those happy times! My brother died of cancer back in 2005 and my father way back when I was a child and so I have a knowledge of how quick the illness can strike. I had heard from other ex-cadets in the service, that Pete had gone to fast jets and was working as an instructor, and of his nick name. I will so miss not being able to catch up on his adventures up there in the sky where I tried but failed to follow. If anyone can put me more in touch with his career since RAF Valley I would still love to be brought up to date. Oh and finally, I have to add a M2 one liner, which comes from when Pete was doing his initial hawk training - obviously a steep learning curve to say the least. Thoughtfully over a beer in the mess at RAF Valley (the day before he flew past our climbing group), recounting some of his training exploits to two wide eyed would-be pilots: "At 400knts and 100ft, for every minute I can't make up my mind thats another seven miles in the wrong direction!" (excuse me if I have got the exact figures wrong). Oh to have had such daily dilemmas think those of us who are not able to be flyers, and what a vivid picture to paint in one sentence, but how typical also of his modesty...he obviously did get through the course - "and how" to quote him. A truly generous person and inspirational leader. Bless you Pete. My best regards to your family and colleagues.
[email protected]
Last edited by Mick H; 26th Feb 2013 at 23:08.
Join Date: Jun 2006
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M2 - Fellow Tiger
Strange as it may seem I have just found this thread. I knew of M2's passing at the time but never saw this.
I first met M2 on 74(F) Sqn at RAF Wattisham. I flew with him many times. One of the funniest guys I ever met and as one of the greatest compliments I can ever give....he made ME laugh.
Time spent over Blakney Point as a singleton shooting anything that moved under T.O.O. rules (Targets of Opportunity) are some of my fondest F4 memories.
My favourite M2 one-liner was when the squadron was receiving the brief prior to going to Cyprus. We were told to bring passports, driving licences and 'KD' uniform. At this point the German exchange officer piped up 'Vas is das 'KD' uniform??'...to which M2 replied in an instant 'Just bring your Afrika Korps Kit and you will be allright Bruv'......much hillarity ensued. I wished I thought of that one!
Today is my first day out of 'blue' and as I look back on my career then M2 was one of those special characters. Sadly missed.
Tiger Tiger.
I first met M2 on 74(F) Sqn at RAF Wattisham. I flew with him many times. One of the funniest guys I ever met and as one of the greatest compliments I can ever give....he made ME laugh.
Time spent over Blakney Point as a singleton shooting anything that moved under T.O.O. rules (Targets of Opportunity) are some of my fondest F4 memories.
My favourite M2 one-liner was when the squadron was receiving the brief prior to going to Cyprus. We were told to bring passports, driving licences and 'KD' uniform. At this point the German exchange officer piped up 'Vas is das 'KD' uniform??'...to which M2 replied in an instant 'Just bring your Afrika Korps Kit and you will be allright Bruv'......much hillarity ensued. I wished I thought of that one!
Today is my first day out of 'blue' and as I look back on my career then M2 was one of those special characters. Sadly missed.
Tiger Tiger.
