WING COMMANDER ROLAND 'BEE' BEAMONT HAS DIED
 

The great wartime fighter pilot has died at the age of 81.

As some of you know, New Bloke and I went to meet the great man in April so that he could sign 400 copies of the TSR2 print which Nearly Man donated to the PPRuNe Fund. It was an absolute joy to meet him and 'discuss' just a very small part of his famous career. I personally feel very sad that he has gone. His name will live with the very best of Great Britains famous aviators.

I feel very proud to have met him and I offer my condolences to his family. God bles him and keep him.

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Stan Sted sent me the following obituary.
http://www.dailytelegraph.co.uk/obit...1/21/db01.html

[ 21 November 2001: Message edited by: InFinRetirement ]

I met him at the last GatBash. He was a real gentleman. He was full of stories, facts, figures - a real TAP.

Sincere condolences to family and friends.

Very sad news indeed, I met him twice, the first time was when he pinned my RAF wings on my chest on Graduation Day, the second was when he came to my home town and gave a talk to the local RAFA branch about his wartime exploits in Typhoons etc. First man to fly the Lightning, TSR2 test pilot, the man was a real hero. Sad news indeed.

Truly a great aviator who contributed much to our profession. Sincere condolences to his family.


BC

A great man who will be sorely missed. My sincere condolences to his family.

Very sad loss of a great man. Read his autobiography 'Flying to the Limit' just recently; reminded me of why I became a pilot in the first place. Even as a kid I always thought of Bee Beamont as the bloke who'd been there, done it, and had pretty much the perfect flying career. His tales of supersonic runs in the Lightning over the Irish Sea and low-level trips through the Lake District at 0'6" were a great inspiration to me. British aviation has lost one of its characters.

Sincere condolences to family and friends.

ST

My stomach turned as I read the title of this thread.

As many know IFR and I met him earlier this year. I am not eloquent enough to do the great man justice so I will just say that he made a huge impression on me and I will always remember his charm and sense of humour.

The world has lost yet another good un, but if anyone can be said to have had a good innings, then surely that applies to the Wing Commander.

He spoke a little about his Guardian Angel, now they at last have a chance to meet face-to-face.

May he rest in peace.

We have lost one of the true greats of British aviation. They don't make them like him any more.

I met him when I was a very 'wet behind the ears' young aviator and was embarrassed at how much interest he took in my embryo career.

A great aviator has passed on to join other great aviators.....wings forever folded. He will be sorely missed.

We salute you Bee!

Farewell to a great character, superb aviator and a raconteur seldom equalled. The worldwide aviation community is diminished by his loss but has been enriched by his skill, courage and humour.

May he rest in peace, and may we cherish his memory, and that of those like him, forever.

To his family and friends, sincerest condolences.

I have written to 'Bee's' daughter on behalf of PPRuNe. In view of his willingness to sign the TSR2 prints, even though he was ill, I think it is entirely appropriate. I have expressed our condolences from all at PPRuNe to a fellow professional aviator.

I also think it appropriate that the PPRuNe Fund spends a few pounds to send a tribute on behalf of PPRuNe. This I propose to do, as a gesture of our gratitude for his help to our wannabes.


IFR

Sincere condolences to all Bee's family and friends. A true gent who was a shining example to aviators everywhere.

RIP

So sad. Fascinating obituary's in all the broadsheets. Very sad loss of a great man.

I have been in contact with 'Bee's' daughter and it his wish that there should be no flowers. Instead, he has requested that any donations should go to the RAF Benevolent Fund. I have, therefore, made a donation to that fund on behalf of PPRuNe.

His daughter says that his funeral will be on 28th November for family only. There will, however, be a Memorial Service at St. Clement's Dane's and she will let me know when that is arranged for. When I know the date I will post it here.

Read "My Part of the Sky" years ago....found it an inspiration then. Very Sad news. My Condolencies.