111 (F) Squadron Association Remembers
Air Commodore Roger Topp AFC**
1923- 2020
Test Pilot, record breaker, CXI(F) Squadron "Boss" and leader of the "Black Arrows" aerobatic display team.
The CXI(F) Squadron Association has received the very sad news that Roger Topp, a former "Boss of Tremblers" (1955/58) died last Friday, 6 March 2020. He would have been 97 years old in May.
Roger Topp joined the RAF in 1943 and learned to fly in Canada. When he returned to England in 1944 there was a surplus of powered aircraft pilots so he transferred to the Glider Pilot Regiment, then in 1947 he joined 98 Sqn, flying Mosquitos in Germany, becoming a flight commander. He was awarded the Air Force Cross in 1950 and in that year attended the Empire Test Pilots' School (ETPS), remaining at Farnborough after the course as a staff member of the Royal Aircraft Establishment (RAE). Whilst at RAE, Roger was tasked with airborne structural testing of the Comet following the mid-air break-up of 2 BOAC fleet aircraft over the Mediterranean, for which together with his outstanding contribution to other high risk trials, he was in 1955 awarded a bar to his AFC.
Roger became the CXI(F) Squadron Commander in January 1955 serving with the Squadron until October 1958, when he handed over command to Peter Latham. During his time on the Squadron, Roger broke the London to Edinburgh speed record, flying a Hunter fighter jet on 08 August 1956, at an average speed of 717.504 mph, covering the distance of 331.6 miles from Turnhouse to Northholt in just 27 minutes, 52.8 Seconds.
Additionally, he was the driving force behind the creation and success of the "Black Arrows" aerobatic display team, famous for their 22 aircraft "Loops" at the 1958 Farnborough air show. He was awarded a second bar to his AFC in January 1958 for his work with the "Black Arrows".
After his tour with CXI(F) Squadron, Roger Topp went on to have a successful career in the RAF, reaching the rank of Air Commodore and commanding both RAF Coltishall and A & AE Boscombe Down.
More information about Roger's CXI(F) Squadron legacy can be found through the links below:
The Black Arrows
The Farnborough Loop Text
Roger Topp - 22 Aircraft Loop
Roger Topp joined the RAF in 1943 and learned to fly in Canada. When he returned to England in 1944 there was a surplus of powered aircraft pilots so he transferred to the Glider Pilot Regiment, then in 1947 he joined 98 Sqn, flying Mosquitos in Germany, becoming a flight commander. He was awarded the Air Force Cross in 1950 and in that year attended the Empire Test Pilots' School (ETPS), remaining at Farnborough after the course as a staff member of the Royal Aircraft Establishment (RAE). Whilst at RAE, Roger was tasked with airborne structural testing of the Comet following the mid-air break-up of 2 BOAC fleet aircraft over the Mediterranean, for which together with his outstanding contribution to other high risk trials, he was in 1955 awarded a bar to his AFC.
Roger became the CXI(F) Squadron Commander in January 1955 serving with the Squadron until October 1958, when he handed over command to Peter Latham. During his time on the Squadron, Roger broke the London to Edinburgh speed record, flying a Hunter fighter jet on 08 August 1956, at an average speed of 717.504 mph, covering the distance of 331.6 miles from Turnhouse to Northholt in just 27 minutes, 52.8 Seconds.
Additionally, he was the driving force behind the creation and success of the "Black Arrows" aerobatic display team, famous for their 22 aircraft "Loops" at the 1958 Farnborough air show. He was awarded a second bar to his AFC in January 1958 for his work with the "Black Arrows".
After his tour with CXI(F) Squadron, Roger Topp went on to have a successful career in the RAF, reaching the rank of Air Commodore and commanding both RAF Coltishall and A & AE Boscombe Down.
More information about Roger's CXI(F) Squadron legacy can be found through the links below:
The Black Arrows
The Farnborough Loop Text
Roger Topp - 22 Aircraft Loop