Enthusiasts who enjoyed the Old Warden displays of the ’70’s and ’80’s will be saddened to hear of the death of John Lewis, after a period of ill-health.
A renowned test-pilot, he was also member No1 of the Historic Aircraft Association, by means of being appointed membership secretary, and his own name was the first to spring to mind as he compiled the list!.
He was recently appointed an Honorary Vice-President of the HAA, and was presented with a certificate by Wally Epton, the HAA President. Unknown to his many admirers, John was a skilled model engineer, and had scratch-built a working scale model of a Britannia Class loco !
If anyone has a photo of John in his ‘glory years’ at Old Warden, the way he will be remembered by many, we would love to be able to post it on the HAA website.
Here is a video of him at the helm of the Gladiator.
By: Propstrike - 22nd October 2013 at 16:26
[QUOTE=slicer;2080043]No portraits unfortunately, but I’m sure these are John in his element at OW in the 80’s
Hi Slicer, thanks for those two.
Might you be able to send a high res version of the Hind shot to me, so I can get a reasonable crop of the cockpit area?
Many thanks
Andy Smith
[email]andrew4547@ntlworld.com[/email]
By: slicer - 22nd October 2013 at 13:37
No portraits unfortunately, but I’m sure these are John in his element at OW in the 80’s
By: Arabella-Cox - 22nd October 2013 at 10:59
John Lewis is also remembered as one of the cockpit crew that flew 1-11 G-ASYD into Brooklands in July 1994[ATTACH=CONFIG]222200[/ATTACH]
The picture shows him on the left with his fellow crew members on arrival at Brooklands (photo courtesy of Brooklands museum) [ATTACH=CONFIG]222218[/ATTACH]
By: slicer - 22nd October 2013 at 10:57
Judging by that model of Britannia, he obviously had a true understanding of model engineering as well !!
By: Thunderbird167 - 22nd October 2013 at 10:06
John was a true gent
I new John during his time at Filton when he brought the VC-10’s back from Abingdon after their limited rebuild before tanker conversion.
Another old school professional passes on.
Not a risk taker but a commensurate professional with a true understanding of flight
By: trumper - 22nd October 2013 at 08:44
Here is a video of him at the helm of the Gladiator.
What a talented guy.
The display in the video seems quite abit more spirited than today ,i assume the airframe is being protected a bit more.The model of the steam loco is a work of art.
By: slicer - 21st October 2013 at 23:57
Sad news indeed. A fine display pilot and fondly remembered in the company of Dicky Martin, Angus McVitie, Neil Williams, Des Penrose, Alan Wheeler and many others we have been lucky enough to see display at OW over the years. A privilege to have seen him fly.
RIP
By: Warbert - 21st October 2013 at 21:26
his displays in AR501 were legendary
Indeed I remember looking forward to John’s displays in the Gladiator or Spitfire Vc, usualy at the end of the Shuttleworth displays in the late eighties and early nineties.
Beautiful flowing displays with the aircraft seeming to be within the airfield boundary most of the time.
The Spitfre displays were always finished with a double roll.
Blue Skies Sir.
Albert
www.warbirdsim.com
By: Septic - 21st October 2013 at 20:33
Very sad news indeed, John was one of the finest display pilots to ever grace the Old Warden circuit, his displays in AR501 were legendary and I feel very privileged to have seen them.
RIP John.
By: Derekf - 21st October 2013 at 20:32
That is sad news. I had the pleasure of flying with John a couple of times in the mid 90s.
By: Feather #3 - 21st October 2013 at 20:14
Delighted in watching his displays of the piston Provost at OW!
RIP
G’day 😉
By: Roborough - 21st October 2013 at 18:59
Sad news indeed. I don’t have a picture to contribute but I do remember him at OW in the early 70’s flying the Gladiator and, I think, the Tomtit.
RIP John
regards
Bill
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October 21, 2013 at 6:47 pm