Robert Stanford Tuck | |
|---|---|
_fighter_pilot_in_a_Hawker_Hurricane_of_No._257_Squadron_RAF,_circa_1941.jpg) Stanford Tuck in the cockpit of his Hurricane c. 1940. | |
| Nickname(s) | Bob |
| Born | 1 July 1916 Catford, London |
| Died | 5 May 1987 (aged 70) Canterbury, Kent |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service | Royal Air Force |
| Years of service | 1935–1949 |
| Rank | Wing commander |
| Commands | RAF Coltishall (1947–48) No. 257 Squadron RAF (1940–42) |
| Battles / wars | Second World War |
| Awards | Distinguished Service Order Distinguished Flying Cross & Two Bars Air Force Cross Mentioned in dispatches (3)[1][2][3] Distinguished Flying Cross (United States) |
Wing Commander Robert Roland Stanford Tuck, DSO, DFC & Two Bars, AFC (1 July 1916 – 5 May 1987) was a British fighter pilot, flying ace and test pilot. Tuck joined the Royal Air Force (RAF) in 1935 and first engaged in combat during the Battle of France, over Dunkirk, claiming his first victories. In September 1940 he was promoted to squadron leader and commanded a Hawker Hurricane squadron. In 1941–1942, Tuck participated in fighter sweeps over northern France. On 28 January 1942, he was hit by anti-aircraft fire, was forced to land in France, and was taken prisoner. At the time of his capture, Tuck had claimed 29 enemy aircraft destroyed, two shared destroyed, six probably destroyed, six damaged and one shared damaged.[4]
- ^ Gazette & 35107.
- ^ Gazette & 35284.
- ^ Gazette & 37598.
- ^ Price 1997, p. 90.