Air Commodore Ken Goodwin
High-spirited fighter pilot who thrilled crowds across Europe with his solo aerobatic displays
AIR COMMODORE KEN GOODWIN, who has died aged 92, was a Cold War fighter pilot whose brilliant solo aerobatic displays attracted widespread acclaim.
When he joined 118 Squadron in July 1955, the squadron, based at Jever in northern Germany, had recently been re-equipped with the Hawker Hunter. His skill soon attracted the attention of his commanding officer, and he was encouraged to develop a six-minute individual display of aerobatics.
This consisted of a roll immediately after take-off immediately followed by a loop. After a series of turns and rolls he made a high-speed inverted fly-past and climb and, after a hesitation roll, he made an inverted approach before landing.
“All in all, it was fairly spectacular by the time I finished,” Goodwin commented: “At least I am told it was – naturally I’ve never seen it myself.”
His meticulous execution of the display resulted in his selection as the official aerobatic pilot for the whole of the Second Tactical Air Force in Germany. Over the next two years he performed at displays across Europe, where he was heralded as a brilliant pilot in the many newspaper articles describing his exploits.
After two years with 118 Squadron he was awarded the AFC in recognition of his achievements, and the widespread publicity for the RAF it had attracted across Europe.
The son of a First World War veteran who had served in the Coldstream Guards, Kenneth Joseph Goodwin was born at St Pancras, London, on May 2 1928. In August 1940 he and his two sisters were evacuated to the US, where they remained for five years in the foster care of Robert and Kay Fisher at their home in Pittsford, New York.
Goodwin was determined to follow his elder brother, who had served throughout the war as a pilot. Initially there was no
requirement for new pilots, so Goodwin enlisted as an airman in 1946 and trained as an airframe fitter. The seeds of the precision that would be the hallmark of his time as an aerobatic pilot were sown on the parade ground, where he excelled at drill. He was selected to join the Ceremonial Unit at RAF Halton, regarded as a “cream” posting, and he was on parade at the Lord Mayor’s Show, the Cenotaph Parade, and the British Legion Service of Remembrance at the Albert Hall.
Finally, in July 1949 he was commissioned and began his training as a pilot. After gaining his wings he joined 92 Squadron at RAF Linton-on-ouse near York, which was equipped with the Meteor fighter. He was soon selected to be the squadron’s aerobatic pilot, and he later led the formation team. He was to develop his skill as a solo aerobatic pilot when he was posted to 118 Squadron.
Goodwin returned from Germany at the end of 1957, and joined the Central Fighter Establishment (CFE), where he and his fellow pilots devised tactics and evaluated a range of fighters. When the Lightning entered service at the end of 1959, the CFE pilots were the first to fly the new aircraft and devise a training plan for pilots destined to join squadrons.
He was appointed to the Lightning Conversion Unit.
Initially, there were no dualcontrol versions of the supersonic fighter so pilots making their first flight were “chased” by Goodwin and his fellow instructors. In July 1962 the two-seat aircraft had arrived and was much in demand to fly senior officers and “celebrities” anxious to join the “Thousand Miles Per Hour Club”.
Goodwin developed a solo aerobatic routine in the Lightning. After a 10-minute display in front of 140,000 people at RAF Middleton St George near Darlington, the Northern Echo reported: “The crowd gasped and gasped again with admiration as they were treated to the display of their lives.”
After a period in Bangkok, and at the HQ of the Far East Air Force in Singapore, Goodwin assumed command of 74 (Tiger) Squadron at RAF Leuchars in Fife. Flying from their Scottish base, the squadron’s Lightnings regularly intercepted Russian aircraft flying near UK airspace.
On one occasion, during an exercise in Cyprus, the RAF station commander complained about the noise of the aircraft. A few days later, he and his officers were at a local party to celebrate Christmas when one of Goodwin’s pilots gave an impromptu flying display. His finale, a rocket-like climb, could be heard across the island.
Goodwin, in full dress uniform, was summoned to see the station commander, but luckily the commander-in-chief, an Army general, was attending a party nearby and had seen the performance; he immediately contacted the RAF commander, congratulating him on the “bloody good show from the RAF”.
In May 1967 74 Squadron was reassigned to RAF Tengah in Singapore. On June 4 Goodwin led the first section, and over the next few days, all 13 aircraft flew via staging posts, in company with Victor air-to-air refuelling tankers, arriving in Singapore to provide air defence for the region.
Goodwin’s high spirits and occasional irreverence often brought him into conflict with his senior officers. A fine pianist, he was always game for a party, and he soon established a special relationship with the local Tiger Brewery, which was equally anxious to embrace the arrival of the RAF’S “Tiger” squadron as a marvellous promotional opportunity.
After two successful years, Goodwin left the squadron in March 1969. At his farewell dinner he was presented with a beer tankard with an inscription of his trademark catchphrase, “Don’t Worry About a Thing”.
In 1972 he was appointed to command RAF Wattisham in Suffolk, the home of two Lightning squadrons. He was hugely popular with the officers and airmen, and he remained fully current as a fighter pilot.
After appointments at RAF Strike Command and as Air Adviser in Ottawa, he became the Deputy Captain of the Queen’s Flight. His final appointment was as Air Officer Commanding Air Cadets, a period he enjoyed immensely. He was appointed CBE.
After retiring in July 1982 he was the commander of the south-west region of the Air Training Corps.
Goodwin was a great motivator and an excellent mentor who ensured that his charges made the very best of their abilities.
He enjoyed golf and was captain at the Burnham and Berrow Club. He was president of the 74 Squadron Association, and the “Jever Steam Laundry”, whose aim is “to promote the irreverent camaraderie that epitomised the vigorous approach to both professional excellence in the fighter role and to the riotously enjoyable living at RAF Jever during the golden age of jet fighter operations”.
Ken Goodwin married Sue in 1961. She died in 2019, and he is survived by their son, a former RAF Tornado pilot, and daughter.