Erik Bennett
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Often in Jersey, but mainly in the past.
Age: 79
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RIP, Sir. Our excellent OC Fg Wg at Tengah in the late 60s.
His Wiki entry is decidedly obscure on many aspects of his most interesting career! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sir_Erik_Bennett
His Wiki entry is decidedly obscure on many aspects of his most interesting career! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sir_Erik_Bennett
Gentleman Aviator
CSOAF for much of the time I was there. Arrived as a Gp Capt, left as a 2-Star!
The roundest peg in a round hole.
I once ventured to ask him how he managed to stay in post.
"Well Teeters, every time there's a new CAS or CDS, I go to London to explain that I'm irreplaceable!" ..... and he was just about right.
Close friends with HM Sultan Qaboos bin Said, and HM King Hussein of Jordan. Believe he was best man when the latter married his English bride.
When he negotiated the sale of the Jordanian Hunters to SOAF, he recalled that he'd got them for Jordan in the first place!
I wonder if the obits in the broadsheets will be less so.........
RIP Sir.
The roundest peg in a round hole.
I once ventured to ask him how he managed to stay in post.
"Well Teeters, every time there's a new CAS or CDS, I go to London to explain that I'm irreplaceable!" ..... and he was just about right.
Close friends with HM Sultan Qaboos bin Said, and HM King Hussein of Jordan. Believe he was best man when the latter married his English bride.
When he negotiated the sale of the Jordanian Hunters to SOAF, he recalled that he'd got them for Jordan in the first place!
His Wiki entry is decidedly obscure on many aspects of his most interesting career!
RIP Sir.
Met Erik once in Oman when he came up to the Tower to witness the first solo of an Omani who he was teaching to fly the Strikemaster, Being the first Omani to do so Erik had high hopes for him. On award of his wings he was posted to Thumrait (6 Sqdn?) to fly Hunters. Initially went well until he landed one wheels up. Was able to secure a photo of it via a friendly Airworkie, covered in foam, made a superb cover for a home made Christmas card!
Shortly after the Hunter mishap, and departure from SOAF, last I heard of him was flying 737s for Gulf Air, so it did apparently have a happy ending.
Shortly after the Hunter mishap, and departure from SOAF, last I heard of him was flying 737s for Gulf Air, so it did apparently have a happy ending.
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Often in Jersey, but mainly in the past.
Age: 79
Posts: 7,808
Received 135 Likes
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63 Posts
His arrival at Tengah also involved the delivery of his Ferrari, a personal gift from an important foreign person!. Ferrari needed to deploy 2 mechanics to Singapore for the duration to service it!
I remember there was a weekend speed run on the runway between his Ferrari and Gp Capt Lageson’s Austin Healey 3000 … which I suspect Erik won!
I remember there was a weekend speed run on the runway between his Ferrari and Gp Capt Lageson’s Austin Healey 3000 … which I suspect Erik won!
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Torquay
Age: 79
Posts: 5
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The Breitling Watch!
His arrival at Tengah also involved the delivery of his Ferrari, a personal gift from an important foreign person!. Ferrari needed to deploy 2 mechanics to Singapore for the duration to service it!
I remember there was a weekend speed run on the runway between his Ferrari and Gp Capt Lageson’s Austin Healey 3000 … which I suspect Erik won!
I remember there was a weekend speed run on the runway between his Ferrari and Gp Capt Lageson’s Austin Healey 3000 … which I suspect Erik won!
Sad news indeed!! Whatever you personally may have thought of him he was the master-mind behind SOAF/RAFO. Flew together many times and agreed/disagreed on many things - but he would always back you up professionally and (not always known!) he was a brilliant host- if slightly unorthodox!
A great character and a great loss.
Bill
A great character and a great loss.
Bill
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Oman
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Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Often in Jersey, but mainly in the past.
Age: 79
Posts: 7,808
Received 135 Likes
on
63 Posts
Just had an e-mail from a Tengah-ite ...
Are reports of his demise premature?
Compass Call ... your source was ...?
Just had an email from I** O** telling me that as of 2 days ago Erik was alive and kicking. Not sure where his demise story came from but maybe it needs checking/correcting.
Best wishes,
Best wishes,
Compass Call ... your source was ...?
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Often in Jersey, but mainly in the past.
Age: 79
Posts: 7,808
Received 135 Likes
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63 Posts
Ian, that is great news indeed! How are you doing?
Regards, Bill
Regards, Bill
Gentleman Aviator
I saw it on the Dhofar Veterans Facebook site.
Hope Erik got to read all the good things written about him!
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Often in Jersey, but mainly in the past.
Age: 79
Posts: 7,808
Received 135 Likes
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63 Posts
BB
Yes he was, but I think that 101 was in Tengah in 1970 (at least that is what my log-book says!)
Bill
Yes he was, but I think that 101 was in Tengah in 1970 (at least that is what my log-book says!)
Bill