Squadron Leader Paul ‘Major’ Day OBE AFC
Header image: Sqn Ldr Paul ‘Major’ Day with BBMF Spitfire Mk Vb AB910 in 2003 (Photo: Richard Winslade)
The BBMF is deeply saddened to have been informed of the passing of former BBMF fighter pilot and OC BBMF Squadron Leader Paul ‘Major’ Day. The ‘Major’, as he was universally known, flew 24 consecutive seasons with the BBMF and commanded the Flight for the final eight years of his career.
He joined the RAF in 1961 and flew as a fighter pilot for four tours on the Hawker Hunter. On his first tour, he flew in Singapore, Sarawak, Borneo and Hong Kong. After qualifying as a weapons instructor on the Hunter, he flew the aircraft operationally in Bahrain, Sharjah and Masirah in the Middle East, amassing almost 2,000 hours. Converting to the F4 Phantom in 1971, initially in the ground attack role, he flew tours in Germany and the UK, achieving over 3,000 hours, and flew the aircraft as an Exchange Officer with the USAF 311th and 550th Tactical Fighter Squadrons at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona, where he acquired his nickname. In 1988, ‘Major’ converted to the Tornado F3, which he flew at RAF Coningsby and in the Falklands until 1995.
‘Major’ joined the BBMF in 1980 as a volunteer fighter pilot, displaying the Flight’s Hurricanes and Spitfires for an unprecedented, and probably never to be surpassed, 24 consecutive display seasons. In 1996 he became the Officer Commanding, a post he held until the completion of the 2003 display season. While serving with the BBMF, Sqn Ldr Day passed the milestone of 1,000 hours of Spitfire flying, from a total flying time of over 8,500 hours during a career spanning 43 years. After leaving the RAF he continued to fly two-seat Spitfire T9 MJ627 for several years, giving many people the chance to experience flying in a Spitfire.
From a personal point of view, for my first eight years on the BBMF the ‘Major’ was my mentor, boss and the harshest of critics, setting the highest standards. The aggressive fighter pilot persona which was the public image he cultivated, was really just a front and he was actually quite caring underneath it all. He was also totally dedicated to the BBMF, caring deeply about the future of the Flight. He even admitted to me once, during his handover to me as OC BBMF, that the Lancaster was the “Queen of the fleet” which had never been heard coming from him in public! He was an extremely skilful pilot and could display the Spitfire beautifully. I was always happy sitting on his wing even when beating up some airfield somewhere at just a few feet!
Blue skies Major
Clive Rowley
