Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation

Air Vice-Marshal R K Hooks (501987)

Robert Keith   b:   7 Aug 1929           r:   xx May 1994                     d: 25 Dec 2025

CBE – 30 Dec 1978, BSc (Eng), CEng, FRAeS,

Plt Off:  5 Sep 1951, Fg Off:  5 Sep 1952, Flt Lt: 5 Jun 1955, Sqn Ldr:  1 Jul 1961, Wg Cdr:  1 Jan 1967, Gp Capt:  1 Jul 1971, A/Cdre: 1 Jan 1975, AVM:  1 Jan 1981

5 Sep 1951:                 Appointed to a Short Service Commission in the Technical Branch (5 + 4)

xx xxx xxxx:               Armament Officer, RAF West Malling

29 May 1953:              Relinquished his Short Service

29 May 1953:              Appointed to a Permanent Commission in the Technical Branch in the rank of Fg Off (seniority 5 Dec 1950)

18 Aug 1954:              Transferred to the Reserve (National Service) List

xx xxx xxxx:               Served in Germany

xx xxx 1955:               Attended the RAF Technical College, Henlow.

xx xxx 1956:               Seconded to Fairey Aviation, Heston

xx xxx xxxx:               Staff Officer, MoD

xx xxx 1961:               Member, RAF Detachment, Eglin Air Force Base

xx xxx 1963:               Staff, Bomber Command Armament School, RAF Wittering.

xx xxx 1967:               OC, Engineering Wing, RAF College, Cranwell

18 Jan 1969:               Engineer Officer, HQ, Far East Air Force

xx xxx 1971:               Superintendent of Armament, Aircraft and Armament Experimental Establishment, Boscombe Down

11 Mar 1974:             Director of Training (Ground)

xx xxx 1976:               Director of Air Armaments, MoD Procurement Executive.

xx xxx 1980:               Vice-President (Air) of the Ordnance Board

xx xxx xxxx:               Director General of Aircraft in the Procurement Executive.

Born in Middlesbrough, where he was educated at Acklam Hall School and Constantine College, before attending London University, where he graduated in engineering.

He attended the first guided-weapons courses at the RAF Technical College and following the Sandys Report of 1956, he was seconded to Fairey Aviation for guided-weapons trials and development work. He was involved in the development of the Skybolt air-launched nuclear missile.

Whilst serving at Cranwell, he joined the College Flying Club, learning to fly and gaining his private pilot’s licence, later qualifying as an instructor.

After retiring he joined Westland Helicopters and became the deputy managing director of European Helicopters Industry (EHI).

This entry was last updated on 07/03/26^©

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