Phil Champniss
 

Apologies for this post, but this message is for anyone who might have flown with my father, Phil Champniss (Hunters and Harriers) or worked with him in the RAF after his active flying career or when he was with BAE Systems in Saudi (from 1980 onwards).

Very sadly, my father passed away last night. He had lived in Menorca for a number of years, and I'm really not sure who he kept in touch with from his flying days - hence this message. If anyone's out there who would like to get in touch, please don't hesitate to do so. Guy Champniss (07917 408686).

Guy,

Very sorry to hear this. Your father was the BAe manager at KAAB Dhahran when I worked there from Jan 88 - Aug 99. I remember him as very approachable, friendly and an excellent boss.

My sincere condolences to you and all the family.

Blue skies Phil. RIP.

I'm sure I served under your father at some point, but sadly I cannot recall where or when.

There's an excellent piece on the Radfan Hunters website here: Phil Champniss's page which is a transcript of an interview with your father.

I hope that he enjoyed retirement in Menorca - a delightful island (famous for its gin!) which is where my last family home was for many years. Lazing on the beach at Son Bou one day in 1981 in my 63 Sqn RAF Chivenor tee shirt, a chap came up and announced that he'd been on Hunters at Chivenor - but I don't suppose that it was Phil?

Phil wrote the forward to the book The Perfect Aerodrome: A History of RAF Chivenor by David Watkins in which he says Obviously a fine chap! RIP.

Also on Where Are They Now

Sorry to hear of your father's passing. Not sure if we ever met, but blue skies Phil.

Another of the good guys departed. He made an austere life at Tabuk more tolerable by his actions or inactions regarding our ‘enhanced social life’ venues that we had on Base. Happy days! Toot Toot!

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....208cbf822d.jpg
Tabuk 1985 being presented with the Golf Winter (ha!) League cup by the base manager - Phil Champniss

Sorry to hear your sad news. I was a student at Brawdy when your Dad was Stn Cdr in the summer of '76. I can remember one particular evening in the Mess when were drinking late because the Met man had 'guaranteed' that we wouldn't be flying the next day due to sea fog. Your Dad insisted that we all went back to his place for a nightcap (or six) when the bar shut...…..who can refuse free drinks from the 'Staish'? As the sun came up someone opened the curtains ...........................to reveal a beautiful Gin clear morning!!!!! I can't remember meeting you GuyChamp but knew Paula. My condolences to you and your family.

waydur
 

To a truly great friend and boss who really did have "a lovely bunch of coconuts" We shared so many great times in Dhahran and Menorca. You will be sorely missed by us Phil

Thanks for the reminder, Specaircrew ! Gp Capt Champniss was the Stn Cdr when I was there. As for my forgetfulness, I plead age and the fact that I was away from Brawdy at Wittering for a couple of months or so in the summer of '76 until 45/58 folded and I went back to hold with Standards.

Summer of '76 - single seat Hunters...bliss! Especially under an excellent Stn Cdr.

Whereabouts in Menorca did he live?

Guy,

Really sorry to hear the sad news about your father. My boss at Brawdy in the late '70's and again in Saudi Arabia sometime later.

One of the best and a great loss !

Sincere condolences.

Bill

Very sad news. Your father was my Squadron Commander on 43(F) Squadron in Aden when I arrived in 1965. My sincere condolences.

san lluis then san climent

Nice place, San Luis ('Sant Lluis' now). That's where Salas Pons wines used to be produced, but closed down about 25 years ago. A nice, unhurried place of life and quite a few expats lived nearby. I once had a girl friend who lived at nearby S'Algar - some 40+ years ago,

San Clemente ('Sant Climent' now) was rather quieter if you weren't too close to the Mahon - Cala'n Porter road and wasn't far from an almost secret beach at Binidali. I vaguely recall a very nice restaurant there too. But it must be a lot noisier now that the airport is rather busier than in my time. We lived near Villa Carlos, now known as Es Castell - but nowhere was that far from anywhere really.

Anyway, as delightful as Menorca is, that's enough about La Isla Blanca y Azul - this thread is about the late Phil Champniss, much admired by those who knew him or flew under his leadership and guidance. I hope that his latter days in Menorca were enjoyable!

I later got to know "Cpl Baker" of 22 who sought Phil out in thanks. There was a good chemistry back then. Paddy Baker later became full Colonel having been RSM. Back then guys did not make a fuss. They did make a point of saying well done. I am sure Paddy had the beer ready.

Condolences, I have fond memorys of Phil getting the beers in at Heathrow for all of the Dharhan bound guys in the bar on several occasions

Guy

Your Dad was my first operational squadron commander - 20 Sqn Harriers at Wildenrath - 1972.

The picture posted by Morton of him some 10 years later is exactly as I remember him.

As a Junior Pilot in the early 70's the Boss was not one to be best friends with - more someone to be held in awe. I have had no communication with your Dad since then. But he was a great Boss, and as stated by the previous comments about him, a popular and well-thought of man.

My condolences - you must surely be very proud of him.

Guy,

I had just learned the sad news, Guy. My deepest condolences to you and your family.

Your Dad was my first real boss in after I left the RAF, that was at Tabuk working on the Lightning contract (Armourer), having so recently come from the RAF I didn't appreciate all the backroom stuff that goes on to make a station tick, your Dad was a master at it. I had further experience of it when I went to Dhahran in 1990, I had reason to go in front of him once - he accepted my explanation, which probably saved my career at the time. a very popular and well-thought of man.

RIP Phil, and thanks.