Dick Richardson

So glad Dick is getting the recognition he deserves. I hope he has a long, happy and healthy retirement.

I first met Mr Richardson in 1978 when I was trying to sort a sales deal for TWO Mk 9T Spits with the agreed price of 45,000 (fortyfive thousand) quid the pair, from the collection. Yes true , they went to Nick Grace as I could not raise enough enthusiasm here in NZ to accumulate the required dosh in time. As an aside the Grace spit was, as a Mk 9, the mount of NZer Johnny Haulton and was credited with the downing of the first Me 109 on D Day. He was wingman for Kieth McDonald who had actually “got” the 109, but allowed Johnny to deliver the final blow.

Dick retired on the 26th Aug. There was quite a bash at Popham which had been advertised on this Forum about two months before the event.

He also had a three flypasts by the BBMF Lancaster and Hurricane on the Saturday before and a fly-by by Lancaster, Hurricane and Spitfire on the Sunday before which was a personal thankyou from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight to Dick in recognition of the work he did to get the Lancaster to the condition it is in today.

He also had Dan Griffiths bring a Hurricane through and Chris Gotke flew by in the T20

Dick retired on the 26th Aug. There was quite a bash at Popham which had been advertised on this Forum about two months before the event.

When i was a young lad, and a bit obsessed by goings-on at the recently wound-down Strathallan collection, i somehow got in touch with Dick at Popham, and he actually sent me a large parcel containing a couple of his treasured scrapbooks of Strathallan newspaper and magazine cuttings. He trusted me (i was only about 12!) to take care of these and return them (which i gratefully did) and for that he will always be a legend in my book!!

I would love to see Dick collate stories and photos into a book all about Strathallan – people would barely believe what used to lurk there these days, though i reckon it would be hard to sell such a thing to the casual buyer. The stories he could tell though! I have seen some of his photos on Flickr (search ‘Strathallan collection’) – he seemingly ‘donated’ some very special photos of early Strathallan goings-on to a fellow enthusiast, and they are WELL worth looking at. Such as the Hurricane arriving by road, a line of Ansons in open storage on the far side of the field, Lysander in various stages of restoration and much more – a treasure trove, and undoubtedly the tip of the iceberg. Would love to see shots of the Comet landing on the grass strip before it’s gear collapsed.

Anyway, this is more just so say a big cheers to Dick Richardson and congrats on his retirement from Popham. I’m not suggesting we all suddenly start writing to him to ask him about Strathallan mind you, just saying THANKS! 🙂

Dick Richardson, Dick Melton and Pete Rushen – if we could get them together again, ply them with some beer – the (old aeroplane) stories they could tell between them 😀 I suspect Dave Lees could a few tales too!

Popham would be a great venue for it.

Indeed a truely nice,friendly,genuine bloke….long may he continue to manage Popham in the enthusiast-friendly way he does.

He also does a superb talk/presentation on the Strathallan Lanc to aviation enthusiast groups….as witnessed by OAG 5-6 years ago

Colin

…and usually to be seen driving round Popham on his motorbike(s) with a big smile on his face. A very nice man to speak to.

Dick manages Popham airfield.

A real gentleman and one really nice person.
Tony K

[QUOTE=Beaufighter VI;1160718]and before that, whilst in the RAF, he helped rescue PA474![/QUO

thanks for that snippet could you enlighten me more please?:cool: 😎

and before that, whilst in the RAF, he helped rescue PA474!

And has done (superbly) for about 20 years!

thanks for that im pleased he hasnt gone to the great airline in the sky, he was the driving force at strathallan without doubt:cool: 😎

Dick manages Popham airfield.

And has done (superbly) for about 20 years!

Dick manages Popham airfield.