Air Vice-Marshall Ron Dick Collection

Air Vice-Marshal Ronald Dick, who died at age 76, served in the RAF as a fighter pilot and a Vulcan bomber squadron commander before settling in the United States, where he launched a second career as a lecturer and writer on aviation history.

Dick had the unusual experience of filling two senior appointments at the British Embassy in Washington. He was appointed air attaché in 1980, a post he held for two years. At the time of the Falklands War in 1982, he played a major role in negotiating support for British air operations.

Then, after a brief period at the Ministry of Defense, he returned to Washington as an air Vice-Marshal in November 1984 in the roles of head of the British Defense Staff and defense attaché, remaining for another three years.

During his second term at the embassy, he was deeply involved in discussions and negotiations on American-led initiatives on disarmament that eventually led to the end of the Cold War.

Throughout his time in the United States Dick was able to pursue his interests in aviation history and flying vintage and classic aircraft. He and his family developed a great love for America, where he was immensely popular, and on his retirement from the RAF, they decided to settle near Washington.

He was appointed a Smithsonian international fellow at the National Air and Space Museum and a visiting lecturer in air power history at the USAF Air University at Maxwell, Alabama.

Ronald Dick was born on October 18, 1931 at Newcastle upon Tyne, but spent his boyhood in London. As a nine-year old, he saw the front of his house demolished by a German bomb and watched Hurricane fighters engaging Luftwaffe bombers.

From that moment, he always wanted to be a fighter pilot. He was educated at Beckenham and Penge County Grammar School, and in 1949 was awarded a cadetship to the RAF College, Cranwell, where he trained as a pilot.

Dick was commissioned in 1952 and soon established himself as an excellent fighter pilot. He flew Meteors with No 64 Squadron, becoming a member of its formation aerobatic team. His skill as a solo aerobatic pilot was recognized when, in 1955, he won the Clarkson trophy, awarded to the best aerobatic pilot at the Central Flying School. A year later he won the Wright Jubilee trophy, competed for annually by the RAF's flying instructors.

After serving on the examining wing of the Central Flying School, Dick spent the next three years as a flying instructor with the USAF in Alabama. With the demise of so many RAF fighter squadrons following the Sandys defense review, Dick's flying career took a new turn in 1962 when he became the flight commander of No IX Squadron, operating the Vulcan nuclear bomber.

In 1970, he returned to command the squadron when it was based at Akrotiri, on Cyprus. During a visit to New Zealand, he flew at air shows, displaying the exceptional maneuverability and low-lying characteristics of the big bomber.

Dick served as military assistant to the Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe and in 1978 was appointed to command RAF Honington, the base for three Buccaneer squadrons. He flew the tactical bomber regularly and led detachments to the USAF "Red Flag" tactical training facility at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada. In July 1980, he left for his first appointment in Washington.

He retired from the RAF in 1988, when he was appointed CB. He had previously been awarded a Queen's Commendation for Valuable Services in the Air (1973). In 1987, he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society.

Dick's passion for flying never wavered, and he took every opportunity to fly, even when fulfilling ground appointments. In 1983 he piloted a restored B-17 Flying Fortress bomber from California across the United States and the Atlantic to the Imperial War Museum at Duxford. He also flew American fighters, including the P-40 Warhawk and the P-51 Mustang, and he continued to fly his Tiger Moth until shortly before his death.

His extensive knowledge of aviation history was quickly recognized. He advised the makers of the film Memphis Belle, the story of a USAAF B-17 bomber crew in the Second World War.

Working with the renowned aviation photographer Dan Patterson, he wrote several acclaimed books, including “American Eagles,” a history of the USAF and published to celebrate the service's 50th anniversary.

In 2003, after nine years of research, Dick published “The Aviation Century,” the first of a five-volume history, which was completed in 2006. In addition to accounts of aircraft, pioneering flights and air combat, the work included 400 portraits and profiles of great personalities in aviation.

He also wrote numerous books on British aircraft, including the Lancaster and the Hurricane.

In 2005, Dick had the distinction of chairing the 44th annual enshrinement ceremony at the US National Aviation Hall of Fame, widely known as "America's Oscar Night of Aviation". He was in great demand as a lecturer on cruise liners, and for many years led Smithsonian military and aviation heritage tours to Britain and Europe. He was a vice-president of the Vulcan Crew Chiefs' Association.

Dick was a tall, distinguished-looking and gently spoken man who laughed easily. His leadership style - based on a quiet authority, imposing presence, professional knowledge and caring attitude - was very effective and made him a popular and respected commander.

In later life, to those who used his rank when they addressed him, he would respond: "Please, it's just Ron."

He was a keen and knowledgeable ornithologist and a supporter of wildlife conservation.

Ron Dick died at his home in Virginia on March 25, 2008. He married, in 1955, Pauline (Paul) Lomax, who survives him with their son, Gary, and daughter, Peta.

“Air Vice-Marshal Ron Dick.” The Telegraph, April 9, 2008. Accessed June 3, 2015. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/1584399/Air-Vice-Marshal-Ron-Dick.html.