Lofty Marshall
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Lofty Marshall
I had a 'phone call yesterday from his son Howard, telling me that Lofty had died yesterday morning (3rd December). He will be fondly remembered by vast cohorts of helicopter pilots as QHI and Groundschool Instructor, although probably not the "newer fellers"; Lofty turned 90 in September.
Like many of that generation, Lofty first flew as a fighter pilot - on Vampires in Germany - of which times (and many others) he was a rich source of anecdotes, many of them unsuitable for a family audience!
I don't know any more details at present, but will post them here when known. The funeral - not a military one - will almost certainly take place at the Shawbury Church; given the time of year, Howard thinks it might even be after Christmas.
I last spoke to Lofty only a few weeks ago - in the Elephant and Castle! Still lucid about "the old days", I remember the discussion touching on whether or not the gyroscopic effect of the centrifugal compressor in the Vampire's engine made stall turns easier in one direction than the other! (I couldn't remember the engine type, but Lofty quickly reminded me: "the Goblin of course".) Still the sharp instructor.
RIP Lofty - there will now be a lot more tales to be told in the "Happy Hour bar in the Sky" and also - I hope - here.
Like many of that generation, Lofty first flew as a fighter pilot - on Vampires in Germany - of which times (and many others) he was a rich source of anecdotes, many of them unsuitable for a family audience!
I don't know any more details at present, but will post them here when known. The funeral - not a military one - will almost certainly take place at the Shawbury Church; given the time of year, Howard thinks it might even be after Christmas.
I last spoke to Lofty only a few weeks ago - in the Elephant and Castle! Still lucid about "the old days", I remember the discussion touching on whether or not the gyroscopic effect of the centrifugal compressor in the Vampire's engine made stall turns easier in one direction than the other! (I couldn't remember the engine type, but Lofty quickly reminded me: "the Goblin of course".) Still the sharp instructor.
RIP Lofty - there will now be a lot more tales to be told in the "Happy Hour bar in the Sky" and also - I hope - here.
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I’m very, very sad to read this. When I was a student on the Whirlwind 10, now 42 years ago, Lofty’s explanations of the intricacies of helicopter aerodynamics were made much more understandable by his favourite term “The big green arrow”.
His cheery demeanour, the twinkle in his eyes and great sense of humour made him a very popular instructor indeed; in fact he really was the life and soul of the place. I can still visualise him, in ground school wearing his trade mark white lab coat. The aircrew feeder often resounded with hilarity when he was having lunch.
Lofty and his colleagues at RAF Shawbury were a welcome breath of fresh air after the less than enjoyable fixed wing basic flying training regime further north. He helped set me well on my way to my own rotary wing career of over four decades (which has just finally come to an end).
RIP Lofty and my sincere condolences to his family.
His cheery demeanour, the twinkle in his eyes and great sense of humour made him a very popular instructor indeed; in fact he really was the life and soul of the place. I can still visualise him, in ground school wearing his trade mark white lab coat. The aircrew feeder often resounded with hilarity when he was having lunch.
Lofty and his colleagues at RAF Shawbury were a welcome breath of fresh air after the less than enjoyable fixed wing basic flying training regime further north. He helped set me well on my way to my own rotary wing career of over four decades (which has just finally come to an end).
RIP Lofty and my sincere condolences to his family.
Like many others on here, I'm sorry to hear of Lofty's passing. His style of instruction was 'interesting' at times, but he got the message across and ingrained in my brain. The groundschool instructors at Ternhill (who moved across to Shawbury when the FTS moved there later) were exceptional at imparting knowledge -which I can still remember today.
Shy Torque has said it all for many of us who had the pleasure of knowing Lofty - please add my condolences, and the never ever forgotten Big Green Arrow
Shy Torque has said it all for many of us who had the pleasure of knowing Lofty - please add my condolences, and the never ever forgotten Big Green Arrow
Last edited by Shackman; 4th Dec 2021 at 09:48.
Who could forget his demonstration of resonance using a long plastic ruler? How many must he have got through in the time he was teaching?
Fond memories of Lofty's groundschool both as a basic student and a QHI student - RIP Lofty.
Fond memories of Lofty's groundschool both as a basic student and a QHI student - RIP Lofty.
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I've been advised that Lofty's funeral will be at 1330 on 20th December, at St Mary's Shawbury - so we did get it in before Christmas.
Lofty wanted a "non-military" funeral, so best leave the medals at home this time!
Hope to see quite a number of you there.......
Lofty wanted a "non-military" funeral, so best leave the medals at home this time!
Hope to see quite a number of you there.......
Have only just re-found PPRuNe after a while between computers, and am truly sorry to be greeted by this news on my return. I owe a very great deal to Lofty, a true gentleman. In addition to echoing the lovely comments above, may I also pass my thanks to the late Lofty for introducing me to a favourite item in my vocabulary, which I manage to edge into at least one conversation a week: he was appointed SFSO at Shawbury, and while encouraging people to share their experiences in Flight Safety reports, he urged us all to submit our reports to him so that he could "disencopulate" them before passing them up the chain. Sadly I won't be able to make it to Shawbury on the 20th - my loss. Please add my condolences to all the others; he will be missed.
Have only just re-found PPRuNe after a while between computers, and am truly sorry to be greeted by this news on my return. I owe a very great deal to Lofty, a true gentleman. In addition to echoing the lovely comments above, may I also pass my thanks to the late Lofty for introducing me to a favourite item in my vocabulary, which I manage to edge into at least one conversation a week: he was appointed SFSO at Shawbury, and while encouraging people to share their experiences in Flight Safety reports, he urged us all to submit our reports to him so that he could "disencopulate" them before passing them up the chain. Sadly I won't be able to make it to Shawbury on the 20th - my loss. Please add my condolences to all the others; he will be missed.
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Am I correct in thinking that, in addition to his well known military duties, Lofty used to hold evening classes in pottery?
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Quite possibly Shy
he was certainly a talented woodworker so that seems to fit.
Although not a great churchgoer himself (unlike Betty) the Church has benefitted from much of his decorative woodwork; I am particularly fond of his cover for the font, not least because 2 of my grandchildren were Christened there!
he was certainly a talented woodworker so that seems to fit.
Although not a great churchgoer himself (unlike Betty) the Church has benefitted from much of his decorative woodwork; I am particularly fond of his cover for the font, not least because 2 of my grandchildren were Christened there!
My wife certainly remembers going to the Stn pottery club when I was a stude at SY in the early 80’s, the club was run by a man with a large moustache - could only be Lofty?
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Yes, I think it was Lofty. My wife and I were discussing this earlier, hence my question.
