Colin Coulthard facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Colin Weall Coulthard
CB AFC and Bar
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|---|---|
| Born | 27 February 1921 Bournemouth, Dorset, United Kingdom |
| Died | 15 November 2004 (aged 83) Cornwall |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Service/ |
 Royal Air Force |
| Years of service | 1939–1975 |
| Rank |  Air Vice-Marshal |
| Commands held | No. 266 Squadron RAF RAF Gütersloh |
| Battles/wars | Second World War |
| Awards | Companion of the Order of the Bath Air Force Cross and Bar Mentioned in Dispatches |
Air Vice-Marshal Colin Weall Coulthard was a brave officer in the Royal Air Force. He was born on February 27, 1921, and passed away on November 15, 2004. During World War II, he was a skilled fighter pilot and also taught others how to fly. After the war, he held many important leadership jobs in Europe until 1975.
Contents
Early Life and Training
Colin Coulthard went to Watford Grammar School for Boys. He later studied how to build airplanes at the de Havilland Aeronautical Technical School. When World War II began, he joined the Royal Air Force. He learned to fly the famous Supermarine Spitfire airplane.
Becoming a Fighter Pilot
After his pilot training in Rhodesia, Colin Coulthard went to Malta in 1943. He helped in the invasion of Italy. He also took part in Operation Dragoon, which was the Allied invasion of southern France. His bravery was officially recognized for his actions.
Flying Jet Fighters
Near the end of the war, Colin Coulthard was chosen for a special group. He was among the first pilots to fly Britain's very first jet fighter, the Gloster Meteor. After the war, he worked at the Central Fighter Establishment. He was stationed in RAF Wunstorf in Germany. There, he helped test new airplanes like the de Havilland Venom.
Leading the Way
In 1955, he became the main instructor at RAF Pembrey. This meant he was in charge of teaching other pilots. In 1961, he took command of RAF Gütersloh. The units he led helped with operations during the Berlin Airlift in 1962. This was a big effort to deliver supplies by air.
In 1967, Colin Coulthard was promoted to Air Commodore. He then moved to the Ministry of Defence. He became the Director of Operational Requirements. This role involved deciding what new equipment the air force needed. In 1970, he became the Air Attaché in Washington. His final promotion was to Air Vice-Marshal. He led the Defence Export Services Organisation before he retired in 1975.
Later Life
After he retired, Colin Coulthard moved to Cornwall. He became a governor at Truro School. This meant he helped guide the school. In 1975, he received the CB award. He also became an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society. He passed away in 2004 when he was 83 years old.
