Cdr Nigel "Sharkey" Ward RN died

[PanzerWomble]

Meant to mention this a little while ago, but one of the UK's greatest pilots passed way last Friday aged 80 .

Pioneer of the SHAR , he led 801 NAS  off Invincible in the Falklands , shot down more enemy aircraft personally than the whole of the RAF combined since 1945 ...and wrote a great book called Sea Harrier over the Falklands. Ward's son went on to fly SHARs as well until his untimely death at 45 . A true great of Naval aviation , and a maverick some would say . 

 

RN obit here 

https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-latest-activity/news/2024/may/21/20240521-sharkey-ward-obituary

Clip of him landing at BBC studios in 1979 as a stunt to promote Naval Aviation in the midst of Defence Cuts. 

 

 

 

Clip of him discussing the Falklands 

 

 

 

We counted them all out ...and now counted one less back . 

Sad day .

 

 

 

[Martinnfb]

 

[Martinnfb]

As a kid, after seeing the Harrier landing by the BBC studio I've tried to explain it to my friends at school and they thought that I went completely bananas. He was the Man, I trully believe he saved the Harriers as much as the rest of the VTOL aircraft development .

Rest in Peace Commander.  

[Peterpools]

Rest in Peace as you fly west.

[MARU 5137]

On 5/30/2024 at 9:40 PM, Martinnfb said:

As a kid, after seeing the Harrier landing by the BBC studio I've tried to explain it to my friends at school and they thought that I went completely bananas. He was the Man, I trully believe he saved the Harriers as much as the rest of the VTOL aircraft development .

Rest in Peace Commander.  

I am sad to hear this.

May you Rest In Heavenly Peace Commander. 

Amen.