About the Author

After completing the Harrier course on 233 Operational Conversion Unit, Bob Marston joined 1 (Fighter) Squadron finishing the tour qualified as a fighter reconnaissance instructor. After two years of flying Harrier displays, he became a Hawk qualified flying instructor before returning to Wittering as a Harrier QFI on 233 OCU later being awarded the Air Force Cross. Promoted to squadron leader, he became a flight commander on 3 (Fighter) Squadron based at Gutersloh. Finishing the tour as the squadron executive officer he was awarded the Queen's Commendation for Valuable Service in the Air. Promoted to wing commander, he flew the Jaguar as OC Operations Wing at RAF Coltishall, before moving into the training world at RAF Cranwell, where he was made group captain and became OC 1 Elementary Flying Training School, responsible for all light aircraft flying training for UK armed forces. On retirement he became a reservist flying instructor, eventually completing a forty-year flying career. He flew some 6,400 hours in his RAF career, 3,300 of them in the Harrier.