Brian Stainer

I was the third (and by far the weakest) member, with him, of a recognition team that took part in national competitions back then, the other member being “Albert” (V.E.Gibb).

I see ‘Albert’ regularly on the ‘circuit’ and he is still going strong.

As I have mentioned elsewhere in this forum, I am a lapsed aviation enthusiast and only recently found out about Brian’s death just over three years ago. I knew him well in the early 1960s and went on quite a few road trips with him, including several to the B-47 bases in Berkshire and Oxfordshire, not to mention airshows hither and thither. One year, he got me a press pass at Farnborough, which was quite exciting. I was the third (and by far the weakest) member, with him, of a recognition team that took part in national competitions back then, the other member being “Albert” (V.E.Gibb). I also worked with Brian on the West London Aviation Group meetings.

The only thing I can add about his background is that he was in the RAF and based at Thorney Island for his national service.

Brian’s funeral will be at Hanworth Crematorium at 1000 tomorrow(Thursday 17th)

Brian was a true gent and enthusiast.

He was one of the main reasons that I attended the early events at North Weald.

Quite true that he wiould carry a large stock and was always accompanied by his faithfull pet dog.

His little house in West London was always open to any enthusiast who cared to call. His back room doubled as a sales office.

Another one of a passing generation

We be missed

I recall him turning up, regularly, to our Shoreham Aeromart events.

It was always a source of great amusement (in the nicest way!) and amazement to one and all that he turned up with his entire stock, and stall, in a trailer towed by a Reliant Robin. All the way from North London, I think? Via the M25 and M23. By the time he had about got out his last box of photos it was time for him to start packing up again to go home…..!!

A lovely guy, and a true character and personality.

I am very sorry to hear of Brian’s departure. I knew him in the latter part of the fifties and the early sixties, he was about 6 years older than myself and we both spotted around LAP (as was) and took photos of everything coming in.

He was an airport fireman based at the ‘fire station in the middle’ – where they set light to the Seafire every now and then to make sure the matches worked – I worked for BOAC as an office boy (taking a cheque for £7million in the chauffer driven chairmans car to the bank of England to pay Vickers for a fleet of Viscounts for BOAC’s associated airways, African and BWI) – different days!!

It soon became clear that trying to take a better photo than Brian or one that Brian had missed, was a waste of time, so I concentrated on BB, Sarfend and local aerodromes or airfields (what was the difference? – customs v non customs?), and chatted with Brian every few days as to find out what was about at LAP etc.. He was a total professional – photography and aviation were his all consuming, life long passions, he would talk to and encourage any one that asked his advice, regardless of their knowledge. I believe his skill as a professional photographer became the equal of any in the industry from the sixties onwards – A true Edwardian style gentlemen amateur that beat the professionals – there are’nt anymore in the making.

You will be missed.

Brian.

For a few photographs of that era http://www.abpic.co.uk/results.php?q=Brian+Doherty&fields=photographer&sort=latest&limit=10

Thank you for a sad, but appreciated heads-up Adrian.

Back in the pre-internet days of airshows, Septic and I would very much look forward to checking out Brian’s stall and finding pictures we hitherto had no idea existed of some of the forgotten byways of aviation preservation. Brian was always casual and friendly, evidently in it for the joy of sharing his photos and the stories, and he will be greatly missed.

Thanks, Brian.

So sorry to hear of Brian’s death. He was always a lovely person to speak to and very very helpful to me when looking for photos or when working on some research project. He will be missed.

Best wishes,

Martin

Thanks AMB for passing on this very sad news.

I will miss Brian, unassuming, enthusiastic and always friendly, one of of life’s characters who I will greatly miss.

RIP Brian.

I am sorry to hear of Brians death. I had met him a few times in the past. So much of the photo information we take for granted must be atributable to Brians enthusiasm.

RIP Brian.

John