Nigel Betts

We have learned the sad news from Indonesia that Nigel Betts of 95 Entry (A Sqn) passed away on the 8thDecember 2024. Nigel served at St Morgan (Nimrod) then Scampton, High Wycombe Strike Command and then finally Gütersloh (Harriers).

Peter Slawson (Slaws) sums up Nigel and this is taken from his eulogy:

What comes across most of all is that Nigel was a unique wonderfully jovial character who put friendship high on his priority list. Whilst it was clear to all of us that he DID have a bob or two (but from his demeanour you would never have known that he was wealthy) However, he was running around in a Lotus Elite whilst we were scrambling to put together fifty quid for some old banger!

BUT how did he become known as BIFFO? Biffo the bear was a character in the Beano comic of our times and renowned for getting into all sorts of scrapes. Nigel did have a certain propensity, not to say astounding ability, to be completely unaware of the necessities of ordinary daily life! For example, he would forget to check oil levels in his car- a necessity in those days- and end up with a seized engine.

Touring in Spain in the Lotus, he had to borrow some money because he’d thrown his wallet into the back of the car whilst driving at speed while quite forgetting that the top was down.

We’ll never forget the time when he’d chewed up his dental plate so much that there was only two front teeth on it, and these two teeth appeared in full view on the end of a French loaf. He had swallowed the teeth; and they were never seen again!

But enough of his Biffoness.

Nigel also had some very admirable qualities.

He was a fantastic skier. Certainly the best in the RAF team and probably the best the RAF has ever seen. Who could forget the looks of astonished amazement on the faces of the French ski instructors at Ancelle when Nigel disappeared down the mountain in a flurry of powder snow? (They’d only taken us up there to enjoy the view!!)

Nigel was quietly very astute and an incredible entrepreneur. His video rental, ski clothing and car dealing businesses were just a few of his ideas.

Nigel was a one off- when they made him they broke the mould.

Farewell old friend.