From a childhood obsession with flying, Sir John Allison built a remarkable RAF career spanning 1961 to 1999, rising from pilot cadet to Commander-in-Chief of Strike Command. Throughout his interview, Sir John reflects on flying many of the 116 aircraft types recorded in his logbook. He explores his early career flying Lightnings, working with the US Air Force operating the Phantom II and serving as an instructor, before giving a flavour of the roles and responsibilities he undertook as he moved up the ranks of the Royal Air Force. John’s determination, professionalism, and enduring passion for flying emerge as defining features of both his career and leadership.
Determined from an early age to become a pilot, he joined the Air Training Corps as a schoolboy, learned to glide, flew light aircraft independently, and earned a scholarship to RAF Cranwell, graduating in 1964 as best pilot in his entry and winner of the aerobatics prize.
He trained on the English Electric Lightning before serving on No. 5 Squadron at RAF Binbrook and later becoming an instructor at RAF Coltishall. An exchange posting with the US Air Force in Arizona during the Vietnam era led to his conversion to the McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II, which he describes as “the airplane of my life” because of its versatility and capability. Returning to the UK as a Squadron Leader, he commanded Phantom training at RAF Coningsby Operational Conversion Unit.
Increasingly aware that advancement required more than operational flying alone, he developed a career strategy that combined flying, instruction, and senior staff appointments. After Staff College, he progressed through a series of demanding but rewarding Cold War appointments including Station Commander at RAF Wildenrath, Director of Air Force Plans and Programmes, Assistant Chief of Defence Staff (Operational Requirements), and Air Officer Commanding No. 11 Group, responsible for UK air defence - “the best part of my career.” Despite his senior rank, he continued extensive operational flying, believing it was an essential part of leadership, and gained a combat rating on the Tornado.
He later became Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Strike Command, Commander-in-Chief of Logistics Command, and finally Commander-in-Chief of Strike Command in 1997 before retirement in 1999 - fulfilling the ambition of the boy who had once dreamed of flying aeroplanes.
While commanding No. 11 Group, he took the opportunity to fly with the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight pursuing a lifelong passion for vintage aircraft. Alongside his RAF career, he developed a distinguished display flying career, including flying for the Shuttleworth Collection and The Fighter Collection at Duxford.
Throughout his interview, Sir John gives a vivid picture of flying many of the 116 aircraft in his logbook including the Lightning, Gnat, Hunter, Hawk, Phantom, Tornado, and range of vintage types including the Lancaster. He also retells the story of a particularly difficult Lightning landing at Le Bourget following what he candidly calls a “self-done” mistake.
Summing up his career, Sir John reflects on flying as both a profession and an art form. He speaks openly about carrying “a sliver of fear” into the cockpit, the importance of discipline and skill, and his belief that digitisation has diminished the artistry of modern flying. He describes aviation as “a great leveller,” where only ability matters, and advises aspiring pilots to pursue flying only for the genuine love of it.
ACM Sir John Allison KCB CBE was interviewed by Sir George Cox CRAeS as part of the Royal Aeronautical Society/National Aerospace Library’s oral history project ‘If I only didn’t do it that way…….” Capturing history from the horse’s mouth' to inspire today’s aeronautical professionals. The recording was edited by Eur Ing Mike Stanberry FRAeS.
A transcript of the interview recording is available on the National Aerospace Library catalogue: ACM Sir John Allison oral history interview | National Aerospace Library
Photo: Sir John Allison aged 23, first tour Lightning pilot on No 5 Squadron, RAF Binbrook
UK