Pilot Officer R Shelbourn RAF.
From PPRune
It is with deep regret that I have to let you know that Rod Shelbourn -ex Royal Navy, Dan-Air and Royal Brunei – has passed away at his home near Brisbane.
Rod fought a brave battle against illness, which finally got the better of him.
Rod will be remembered amongst other things for his sense of humour, some-what wicked wit, but mainly for being a loyal friend to so many.
Our thoughts are with his wonderful wife, Carolyn.
RIP, Rod, you will be missed.
Further comments from PPRune:
A sad loss. He was, no doubt, slightly eccentric, had to be, we flew 47 times together in the Sea Vixen.
He in the coal-hole, me doing the piloting bit, but I knew he wanted to swap places. Glad he did. He played a great game of bridge, especially when he pretended to be James Bond. (“Dummy! get the drinks!). He lightened up the days at sea because you never knew what he would instigate.
Thoughts with Carolyn.
What a shame. Rod lightened up two years of flying training from Leeming through Valley and on to Chivenor. Definitely eccentric but great fun. Thoughts of the demolition of the garages at Valley OM, when his foot got stuck on the throttle of that tank of a Rover 3500, always makes me smile. Some of his Fleet Air Arm stories were unbelievable to a student pilot but, in hindsight, probably all true. How he managed to adapt to the flying training regime straight off Eagle, was amazing.
Here are a couple of Rod course photos from 1972 and 1973. The first is Leeming and Rod looking stroppy, front row second from right. The second is at Chivenor in 73, third from right.