lightning mate
Chief Bottle Washer
Since all here seem well aware that it is Terry Adcock that has passed away, I see no reason why he should not be properly lauded as such.
That is very sad - great guy who was a great help to me at Binbrook early 80s. Came across him again at Grafham Water Sailing Centre when I was Commodore in the early 90s - and where he was a keen windsurfer
RIP
RIP
Originally Posted by Wander00
That is very sad - great guy who was a great help to me at Binbrook early 80s.
Confusingly, there were two ex-Lightning pilots, named Terry Adcock. The ex-RAE, ex-A&AEE Terry Adcock had done two tours with 11 and one with 111, not with 5.
Does anyone know if this Terry Adcock is the one who was a Vampire QFI at Valley in about 1962-64? I was there as a student in 62-63, and would appreciate clarification.
Thanks,
KP
Thanks,
KP
Thread Starter
Sorry I only knew him from '74 onwards when he did 2 tours as a TP at Farnborough split by a tour on a Phantom(?) Sqdn. He then left the RAF and re-joined (trout farming wasn't for him) to become a pilot on the Aviation Medical Flight at Farnborough, moving to Boscombe Down with Experimental Flying Wing in '94. His Farnborough callsigns were Nugget 53 and Nugget 40.
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He was my father.
I only found out yesterday, after I was sent a link to an obituary written and published by a charity he volunteered for.
Years of googling and all I ever found was a former pilot who windsurfed. He seems lovely, and has the right name, but he wasn't my father.
Internet searches must be like buses, nothing comes along for years, and then three turn up at once. The charity link that was sent, and two links I've found relating to his passing being noted and marked by his professional peers.
I only have one photo of him http://tinyurl.com/jg7493r
Today I have found a more precise cause of death. Thank you to the poster here who clarified the type of cancer. It means I have one less thing to try and work out how to do, all while being on the wrong side of the Alps.
My memories are different from many of yours. But still very much tied to his love of flying and identity as a pilot.
My dad used to come home from work for lunch still in his airsuit. With its magic plasticky pads on the legs that he could write on. He was my hero pilot daddy, and I felt sorry for the other kids who "only" had civilians as a father.
I rewrote his avoidance of a German helicopter and having to eject as a James Bond like event that earned me much reflected glory in the playground.
He was the defeated man in a uniform that I clung to like a howling monkey, after having violently refused to be gassed by the dentist. Again. And again. And again. But he still cuddled me while I dribbled all over his epaulettes, in a glassy eyed state.
I remember our gentle, tip toeing, last phone call. When he informed me our grandfather had died. He told me "It's very painful to lose a parent" and I said "I know". Neither one of us wanted to be the one to risk rejection, by asking "can we speak again?" So the call ended. And the silence marched on.
He's my dad. I loved him. He's dead. I want to close the book. But I don't know how. Maybe writing this will help.
-Sarah
I only found out yesterday, after I was sent a link to an obituary written and published by a charity he volunteered for.
Years of googling and all I ever found was a former pilot who windsurfed. He seems lovely, and has the right name, but he wasn't my father.
Internet searches must be like buses, nothing comes along for years, and then three turn up at once. The charity link that was sent, and two links I've found relating to his passing being noted and marked by his professional peers.
I only have one photo of him http://tinyurl.com/jg7493r
Today I have found a more precise cause of death. Thank you to the poster here who clarified the type of cancer. It means I have one less thing to try and work out how to do, all while being on the wrong side of the Alps.
My memories are different from many of yours. But still very much tied to his love of flying and identity as a pilot.
My dad used to come home from work for lunch still in his airsuit. With its magic plasticky pads on the legs that he could write on. He was my hero pilot daddy, and I felt sorry for the other kids who "only" had civilians as a father.
I rewrote his avoidance of a German helicopter and having to eject as a James Bond like event that earned me much reflected glory in the playground.
He was the defeated man in a uniform that I clung to like a howling monkey, after having violently refused to be gassed by the dentist. Again. And again. And again. But he still cuddled me while I dribbled all over his epaulettes, in a glassy eyed state.
I remember our gentle, tip toeing, last phone call. When he informed me our grandfather had died. He told me "It's very painful to lose a parent" and I said "I know". Neither one of us wanted to be the one to risk rejection, by asking "can we speak again?" So the call ended. And the silence marched on.
He's my dad. I loved him. He's dead. I want to close the book. But I don't know how. Maybe writing this will help.
-Sarah
Last edited by iDimenticati; 8th Feb 2016 at 15:12. Reason: wrong link for photo
*Does anyone know if this Terry Adcock is the one who was a Vampire QFI at Valley in about 1962-64? I was there as a student in 62-63, and would appreciate clarification.
Thanks,
K"
Sorry this is late but no, he isn't the same chap. This one was an ex-Halton apprentice (Armament) who graduated from there in Jul 63. We were the same trade and entry He was soon commissioned and I met him at Church Fenton in 64 when he started his JP3/4 training. I still have an "official" Halton photo of several of us around a Vulcan training seat that Terry was sat in.
H
Thanks,
K"
Sorry this is late but no, he isn't the same chap. This one was an ex-Halton apprentice (Armament) who graduated from there in Jul 63. We were the same trade and entry He was soon commissioned and I met him at Church Fenton in 64 when he started his JP3/4 training. I still have an "official" Halton photo of several of us around a Vulcan training seat that Terry was sat in.
H
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I am looking at my 15 year old son and I see my father so clearly in him.
Our children are our legacy. Through an oral, family history passed down from our children to their children we don't fade away, we are remembered for generations. Or at least, that's how it is working out for several generations of my husband's family.
When my husband opens the box of old photographs our son hears the passed down anecdotes, and together they decipher the memories written in fading pen on the back of a picture. People get remembered, even if they died before my husband was born. I'd like to do that for my father, and for my son. Make my dad memorable for my boy. So future generations will see his face, learn who he was, know he was an exceptional fighter pilot and see the physical resemblance and similar talents in other members of the family around them.
There's a slight issue with the above plan. At the present time I have just one photo.
So if anybody has any photographs, or converted ciné film, from the 60s, 70s and early 80s they'd be willing to share in a digital format, * especially if accompanied by anecdotes or accompanying detail *, I'd be profoundly grateful.
I'm happy to download anything anybody is willing to share on this thread, if that doesn't flout the forum rules.
Otherwise I can be contacted via Facebook here
https://www.facebook.com/SarahEnglishTeacher
I recognise this is a big ask from an anonymous stranger, but I hope this helps in terms of confirming that I am his eldest daughter.
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B7...F8xc2JGYUxwakU
-Sarah
Our children are our legacy. Through an oral, family history passed down from our children to their children we don't fade away, we are remembered for generations. Or at least, that's how it is working out for several generations of my husband's family.
When my husband opens the box of old photographs our son hears the passed down anecdotes, and together they decipher the memories written in fading pen on the back of a picture. People get remembered, even if they died before my husband was born. I'd like to do that for my father, and for my son. Make my dad memorable for my boy. So future generations will see his face, learn who he was, know he was an exceptional fighter pilot and see the physical resemblance and similar talents in other members of the family around them.
There's a slight issue with the above plan. At the present time I have just one photo.
So if anybody has any photographs, or converted ciné film, from the 60s, 70s and early 80s they'd be willing to share in a digital format, * especially if accompanied by anecdotes or accompanying detail *, I'd be profoundly grateful.
I'm happy to download anything anybody is willing to share on this thread, if that doesn't flout the forum rules.
Otherwise I can be contacted via Facebook here
https://www.facebook.com/SarahEnglishTeacher
I recognise this is a big ask from an anonymous stranger, but I hope this helps in terms of confirming that I am his eldest daughter.
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B7...F8xc2JGYUxwakU
-Sarah
Sarah,
I did not know your father personally but I knew of him. In particular, I remember the Buccaneer accident as I was based nearby at the time. I've found a few items for you online:
This picture show Officer Cadet T R Adcock on No 196 Course at No 1 Initial Training School RAF South Cerney in 1964 (the photo is not mine).
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...scan0019-1.jpg
The precise date of the accident you referred to - the Buccaneer aircraft avoiding the German civilian helicopter - was 14 June 1978.
After he retired from the RAF for the first time, he was awarded a Queen's Commendation for Valuable Service in the Air on 31 December 1981.
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/...ge/29/data.pdf
He was reinstated on the Active List as a Specialist Aircrew squadron leader on 28 April 1982.
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/.../7566/data.pdf
He was awarded an OBE in the 1999 News Year's Honours List - that is exceptionally noteworthy as it is more usual for a squadron leader to be awarded the MBE.
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/...ent/6/data.pdf
Hopefully these items will help to piece together a small part of the story of his career in the RAF.
I did not know your father personally but I knew of him. In particular, I remember the Buccaneer accident as I was based nearby at the time. I've found a few items for you online:
This picture show Officer Cadet T R Adcock on No 196 Course at No 1 Initial Training School RAF South Cerney in 1964 (the photo is not mine).
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...scan0019-1.jpg
The precise date of the accident you referred to - the Buccaneer aircraft avoiding the German civilian helicopter - was 14 June 1978.
After he retired from the RAF for the first time, he was awarded a Queen's Commendation for Valuable Service in the Air on 31 December 1981.
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/...ge/29/data.pdf
He was reinstated on the Active List as a Specialist Aircrew squadron leader on 28 April 1982.
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/.../7566/data.pdf
He was awarded an OBE in the 1999 News Year's Honours List - that is exceptionally noteworthy as it is more usual for a squadron leader to be awarded the MBE.
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/...ent/6/data.pdf
Hopefully these items will help to piece together a small part of the story of his career in the RAF.
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rafengo74to09
I feel like I've seen that picture before. But rolled up like a scroll, and pushed in a tube.
It's stirred up a very old, quite fuzzy memory of the three of us being given the photo scroll and being challenged to find daddy.
We couldn't do it. Becuase we'd never seen his face under The Moustache. Plus he was in a hat covering his distinctive hairline AND the brim was obscuring his eyes ... it felt like a trick Where's Waldo that had no Waldo in it.
I strongly suspect the challenge was set to get us to leave our parents alone at stupidly early o'clock on a Sunday morning.
Thank you so much for replying. I'll look more closely at the other links in the morning. It's nearly 4am here, I'm going to have try to get some sleep.
I feel like I've seen that picture before. But rolled up like a scroll, and pushed in a tube.
It's stirred up a very old, quite fuzzy memory of the three of us being given the photo scroll and being challenged to find daddy.
We couldn't do it. Becuase we'd never seen his face under The Moustache. Plus he was in a hat covering his distinctive hairline AND the brim was obscuring his eyes ... it felt like a trick Where's Waldo that had no Waldo in it.
I strongly suspect the challenge was set to get us to leave our parents alone at stupidly early o'clock on a Sunday morning.
Thank you so much for replying. I'll look more closely at the other links in the morning. It's nearly 4am here, I'm going to have try to get some sleep.
RAFEng
Good work, I hope that is useful to Sarah.
PPrune at its best - as opposed to some threads lately i.e petty squabbling over the appointment of the next CDS, Shoreham tragedy and others.
PPrune at its best - as opposed to some threads lately i.e petty squabbling over the appointment of the next CDS, Shoreham tragedy and others.
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TR Adcock
Sarah - 516 TR Adcock joined the RAF in Sep 1960 with the 96th Entry RAF Halton. In the centre of the picture on this site RAF Halton 96th Entry - A Flight Group Photo
Sarah,
I have found a few more dates.
Commissioned as an Acting Pilot Officer / Cadet Pilot on 22 May 1964:
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/.../6035/data.pdf
Promoted to Flying Officer on 1 October 1965:
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/.../9285/data.pdf
Promoted to Flight Lieutenant on 1 April 1969:
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/.../3460/data.pdf
I have found a few more dates.
Commissioned as an Acting Pilot Officer / Cadet Pilot on 22 May 1964:
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/.../6035/data.pdf
Promoted to Flying Officer on 1 October 1965:
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/.../9285/data.pdf
Promoted to Flight Lieutenant on 1 April 1969:
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/.../3460/data.pdf
Thread Starter
I only know rough details of the Buccaneer vs German police helicopter. I understand he was low level following an autobahn and saw the heli head on, pulled something like 8g avoiding it and the Bucc tailplane parted company. He had just started his second tour at Farnborough at the time and when I saw him next he had a slight mark on his face as the only evidence.
I flew with him on 24 Oct '79. I'd looked at the flying programme for that day and went in search of him and when I found him, asked if he had a passenger for his Hunter trip next day. 'No but I bet I have now' was his reply! Typical Terry.
We did some aeros and I did some poling around, then we did a 1 in 1 into Boscombe.
As my first name is also Terry, we got on well together. He sometimes filled in for OC Flying and one morning at briefing, I reported some ruts I had found during airfield inspection on an area of grass used by helicopters called the 'LALA' (Light aircraft landing area).
He then stood up and said 'right chaps, I don't want to see any of you rutting on the LALA'!
I flew with him on 24 Oct '79. I'd looked at the flying programme for that day and went in search of him and when I found him, asked if he had a passenger for his Hunter trip next day. 'No but I bet I have now' was his reply! Typical Terry.
We did some aeros and I did some poling around, then we did a 1 in 1 into Boscombe.
As my first name is also Terry, we got on well together. He sometimes filled in for OC Flying and one morning at briefing, I reported some ruts I had found during airfield inspection on an area of grass used by helicopters called the 'LALA' (Light aircraft landing area).
He then stood up and said 'right chaps, I don't want to see any of you rutting on the LALA'!
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Thank you. It's really generous of you all to take the time and trouble in this way.
I've found this, it might as well have been written about dad.
Impressions of a Pilot
Flight is freedom in its purest form,
To dance with the clouds which follow a storm;
To roll and glide, to wheel and spin,
To feel the joy that swells within.
To leave the earth with its troubles and fly,
And know the warmth of a clear spring sky;
Then back to earth at the end of the day,
Released from the tensions which melted away.
Should my end come while I am in flight,
Whether brightest day or darkest night;
Spare me no pity and shrug off the pain,
Secure in the knowledge that I'd do it again.
For each of us is created to die,
And within me I know,
I was born to fly.
-- Gary Claude Stoker
I'll put it with all the memories and reminders you've kindly brought together for me.
-Sarah
I've found this, it might as well have been written about dad.
Impressions of a Pilot
Flight is freedom in its purest form,
To dance with the clouds which follow a storm;
To roll and glide, to wheel and spin,
To feel the joy that swells within.
To leave the earth with its troubles and fly,
And know the warmth of a clear spring sky;
Then back to earth at the end of the day,
Released from the tensions which melted away.
Should my end come while I am in flight,
Whether brightest day or darkest night;
Spare me no pity and shrug off the pain,
Secure in the knowledge that I'd do it again.
For each of us is created to die,
And within me I know,
I was born to fly.
-- Gary Claude Stoker
I'll put it with all the memories and reminders you've kindly brought together for me.
-Sarah
I only found out yesterday, after I was sent a link to an obituary written and published by a charity he volunteered for.
Years of googling and all I ever found was a former pilot who windsurfed. He seems lovely, and has the right name, but he wasn't my father.
Internet searches must be like buses, nothing comes along for years, and then three turn up at once. The charity link that was sent, and two links I've found relating to his passing being noted and marked by his professional peers.
I only have one photo of him http://tinyurl.com/jg7493r
Years of googling and all I ever found was a former pilot who windsurfed. He seems lovely, and has the right name, but he wasn't my father.
Internet searches must be like buses, nothing comes along for years, and then three turn up at once. The charity link that was sent, and two links I've found relating to his passing being noted and marked by his professional peers.
I only have one photo of him http://tinyurl.com/jg7493r
I met that (other) Terry Adcock a few times as we bought his house from him in Gamlingay, over 20 years ago.
I was very sorry to read that (your father) Terry had died. He was a bit of a legend in the Eurofighter development world in the 90s as he was doing the testing for the anti-G system. Terry seemed indescructible.
At the time when we were discovering 'arm pain", caused by high g and all-enclosing anti-G garments, Terry insisted that it be called "arm discomfort" as he didn't feel "pain". I work at the successor to SAM, called the Centre of Aviation Medicine, at RAF Henlow, and we have a few photos of him around.
I've messaged you on FB about it.
