Cobra Obituaries

Wing Commander David Pollington AFC

We heard the sad news that Dave Pollington has passed away. He was a significant figure of the Phantom era and notably, served as OC 92 Squadron during the late ‘80s. During that time, with his absolute focus in the cockpit, he amassed 4000 hours Phantom; a total rarely passed. 

He was fortunate to have seven consecutive tours on the Phantom, beginning in the ground attack era before switching to the air defence role in 1974. A tour on the F4F on exchange duties at Wittmundhaven followed his first spell as an OCU instructor, before becoming a flight commander on 23 Squadron and then XO on the Phantom OCU. After Staff College – an anathema to “Polly” who preferred the cockpit – he commanded 92 Squadron in Germany from 1987 to 1989 after which he was awarded the Air Force Cross. 

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During his tenure on the Squadron, 92 went through two TACEVALs, three APCs, three MPCs, holding the Aberporth Trophy for two years, two Red Flags and several ACMI detachments. This was all achieved as the average experience in RAF Germany was being reduced. 

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His final tour before retiring was as Station Commander at RAF St Athan, then the home of RAF maintenance activities. True to form, he converted to the Bulldog and Grob Tutor to ensure his hours total continued to climb! 

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The ultimate fighter pilot, he made no apologies for passing on the paperwork to his team whilst flying constantly. A perfect accolade. 

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