National Service Pilots

[RogerRB]

Good evening to you all...
I am currently writing a series of articles about National Servicemen who served overseas and were awarded the GSM. However, I am meeting a leading politician shortly (who was an ex National Service pilot ) with the aim of writing about his National Service flying days.
If there are any N.S. pilots who would like me to write about their experiences in the RAF, would they please contact me?

Thank you,

RogerRB

[Tankertrashnav]

Do you mean Lord Tebbitt?

[Old-Duffer]

You might want to extend your search, as many NS pilots went on to make a full career in the RAF.

A good contact would be the RAF (National Service) Association and they remain active, with regular national reunions. Unfortunately, I don't have a personal contact but a bit of googling ought to help.

Old Duffer

[tucumseh]

I'm too young, but this sounds like a worthy endeavour. Best of luck.

[Wander00]

Well, I was going to mention Sir Michael Marshall of Marshall Aerospace as one, but saddened to see that he died very recently

[pulse1]

Odd that this subject should come up right now. A few days ago I took an ex National Service pilot for a flight. Our combined ages were 164. Other than telling me that he flew piston Provosts and Vampires I don't know if he has any interesting stories but I will pass on the request.

[snapper1]

Sad to report the recent passing of one National Service pilot, Sam St Pierre who I'm fairly sure would have been happy to help you. However, he did write his autobiography, 'It Sure Did Beat Working' which would give you useful information on his service in the Royal Air Force. The story of his subsequent life in aviation also makes fascinating reading. The book might be available via the internet. His funeral is due to take place on Monday 19th August at St Gregorys Church, Bedale, North Yorkshire at 2 PM.

[ex82watcher]

The author Frederick Forsyth was a NS pilot.You could probably contact him via his publisher.

[PlasticCabDriver]

Originally Posted by pulse1

Odd that this subject should come up right now. A few days ago I took an ex National Service pilot for a flight. Our combined ages were 164. Other than telling me that he flew piston Provosts and Vampires I don't know if he has any interesting stories but I will pass on the request.

As did my Dad, Piston Provosts at Ternhill, (fascinated to find out years later that we had both flown circuits at both Ternhill and Chetwynd) , Vampires at Oakington & Chivenor, then into the Auxiliaries for a short time until they were binned.