BATTLE OF BRITAIN ‘LACE’
A new book by one of Australia’s most distinguished aviators is now available.
Fighter Test Pilot: 42 Years in the RAAF is the memoir of Air Vice-Marshal R.V. (Bob) Richardson AO AFC (Retd), written in his 85th year and spanning one of the most varied careers in RAAF history.
Bob Richardson has donated the printing costs of his memoir, and all sales proceeds will benefit the NSW RAAF Association’s Ad Astra Foundation — supporting the welfare of aviators and their families, past and present, particularly those in need.
The son of a decorated WW2 Torpedo Beaufighter pilot, Bob began his operational flying in Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore and North Borneo during the Indonesian Confrontation of the 1960s, before moving into flying instruction. In late 1967 his career changed course entirely when he was posted to the 1968 UK Empire Test Pilots School course — the beginning of four periods spanning 13 years as an experimental test pilot at the Aircraft Research and Development Unit. As ARDU Flight Test Squadron commander, he led the flying evaluations of three tactical fighter contenders to replace the Mirage 3, ultimately resulting in the selection of the F/A-18 Hornet in 1981. He went on to command ARDU in 1986–87, overseeing clearance of several F111C guided missiles.
Bob’s career extended well beyond the cockpit. He co-authored a Cabinet White Paper on Australia’s Defence policy, was promoted to Chief of RAAF Personnel, and served as Deputy Chief of Air Force before transferring to the Active Reserve in 1997. There he completed a Ministerial review of tri-Service junior cadet bodies, recommending major reorganisation and increased funding, and later consulted for British Aerospace PLC.
In later life, Bob and his family threw themselves into broad-acre beef, wool and alpaca farming on a thousand hectares at Canowindra NSW, while also vice-president of the developing national alpaca industry. Until his wife Judy died from cancer in 2010 they later ran an alpaca stud on a 48-hectare property near Yass, where Bob remains active in community Legacy work, local politics, and chairs the Australian Aviation Club in Canberra.
It is a 334-page account of a life lived at full throttle — and every dollar from its sale goes to a worthy cause.
Copies are $35.00 including postage and packaging, available via two channels:
Through the Air Force Association (NSW):
EFT to Air Force Assoc. FNCB Greater Bank, BSB 637 000, Account 780392819. Use your surname and “BookFTP” as the deposit reference, then email your deposit advice and postal address to Richard “Dick” Wills OAM BEM: 2rcwills@gmail.com | vp.wills@raafansw.org.au | Mobile: 0414 618 793
Direct from the author:
EFT to Robert Richardson, BSB 732 771, Account 522433. Use your surname as the deposit reference, then email rvr4554@gmail.com with deposit advice and postal address.