The Association has learned of the death of Lt Cdr Peter John Barber RN on 26 July 2014.
Notice from the Daily Telegraph 31 July 2014
BARBER Peter John Lt Cdr RN (Rtd), test pilot. On 26th July 2014 peacefully. ‘Peter slipped the surly bonds of earth and danced the skies on laughter silvered wings’. Loved husband of Angela, father of Mark, Chris and John. Grandpa of Michael, Emily, Sarah, Robert, Sally and Jack. Funeral service at St Mary’s Old Church, Frinton on Thursday 14th August 2014 at 10.45am. No flowers please, but donations, if desired, to The Fleet Air Arm Benevolent Trust (rnrmc.org.uk).
Tony Casdagli writes:
Peter Barber, born 1st February 1931, died on 26th July 2014. He joined the navy at the Royal Naval College aged 13 at Eaton Hall, Chester two years before it returned to Dartmouth.
He elected to become a pilot in 1953 and gained his wings as a fighter pilot. In 1955 he flew Seahawks in 800 Squadron in HMS EAGLE, followed by RAF111 Squadron (formation aerobatic displays in Hunters) and then Scimitars at RNAS FORD and HMS VICTORIOUS. In 1959 Peter completed no 18 course at the Empire Test Pilot School at Farnborough. In 1961 he served at RAF Boscombe Down and was principal test pilot for the Blackburn Buccaneer, naval strike aircraft. “The end of the Second World War coincided with the climax of the piston aero-engine technology and the rise of the jet, and it fell to the next two generations of naval pilots to carry through the all-embracing transition to computerised omni-capable jets…and to reconcile this with the need for a far more professional approach to aviation.”** Peter was ideally suited to this with his lightning fast reactions and no fear of emergencies of any sort.
In 1963 he became Senior Pilot of 831 Squadron, the Electronic Countermeasures squadron and then Flightdeck Officer HMS ARK ROYAL. The only time I served with him was when he was Lieutenant Commander Flying, HMS EAGLE and I was CO 820 Helicopter Squadron. He was ideally suited to the task, having flown all the embarked types of aircraft as a pilot, his experience of flightdeck operations and his technical ability. He carried out his job of controlling all aircraft movements on board and within the local airspace with the utmost skill and gained the complete confidence of all of us in spite of handling the task with little or no help from his appointed boss. He was the only person I have met who – when he lost his temper, which was frequently – unlike most of us who tend to become speechless, became more eloquent than ever. Shortly after this he broke his back in a car racing accident and retired from the service.
Peter then flew commercially with Court Lines, followed by Britannia Airlines. In 1974, while captain of a BAC1-11, he was cleared for take-off from Luton Airport (which only has 1 runway) and as his second pilot reached 100knots, they were confronted by a light aircraft, which had been given clearance, coming straight at them in the opposite direction! Peter immediately took control, swerved and lifted a wing but was unable to avoid a glancing collision. He then aborted the take-off and immediately took command of an evacuation of his 91 passengers and crew due to a massive fuel leak from the damaged wing. He was commended for his actions which undoubtedly saved many lives.
He retired from flying in 1990.
Golf was undoubtedly Peter’s passion and, typically, he was a fierce competitor and a stickler for the rules. As a driver he saw no reason why he should not transfer his native aggression from the race track to the high road. By the time of his mid 30s he was a confirmed bachelor until he met Angela, recently widowed with 2 small sons. They married in 1969 and he became a loving husband and devoted father to Christopher and John and subsequently to their son Mark. Peter Barber was a man with a well-developed sense of humour, integrity and a staunch friend.
** Extract from Admiral Sir Raymond Lygo KCB’s introduction to ‘The View from the Cockpit 1945-2000.’
Captain A Casdagli CBE Royal Navy (Retired)
From Records
Peter served in the FAA between 1953 – 1969.
Squadrons included 800, 803, 831 and ‘C’ Squadron A&AEE Boscombe Down.
He was also FDO HMS Ark Royal and Lt Cdr (F) HMS Eagle.
From References
Whilst flying Scimitar XD230 of 700X Flight Ford on 13 March 1958, jet pipe fire following attempted relight of starboard engine at 21,000ft near South Marston, successfully extinguished and landed back at Ford.
Whilst flying Scimitar XD216 from A&AEE Boscombe Down on 31 March 1960 (drop tank trials) during proofing trials with modified pylons and external stores, pitch-up followed by spin, drop tanks detached, both outboard and one inboard pylon torn off, pitot head strut torn off, underside of mainplanes holed, four small craters and kerosene damage to crops, Dorchester.