Tony Mallett

Tony Mallett 61 Entry (A Sqn) 14th August 2025Graduating in 1954, Frederic Antony ‘Tony’ Mallett was promoted to Sqn Ldr in 1964, and Wg Cdr in 1970. His tours comprised flying Night Fighters as well as a flying instructor and examiner in the UK and Germany. Tony attended the Canadian Armed Forces Staff College Toronto 1966 to 1967 before a posting to the MOD (1967-70). He was the OC 46 Sqn, Thorney Island (Tactical Transport) until 1973 before serving as O.C. Admin Wing, Coltishall and retiring in 1976.He was a member of the Caterpillar Club after Tony and his navigator were on a target practice exercise and were returning when their Venom became uncontrollable. He told his navigator to bailout first and then it was his go.The Venom was upside down and Tony’s oxygen mask tube (which should have been under his Mae West - but wasn’t) got caught around the control column. Luckily, he untangled it and touched down in a field. They were thought to have made aeronautical history by being the first crew to escape unhurt from a disabled Venom …. with no ejector seats.He became a Dan-Air BAC 1-11 Captain at Gatwick from 1976 to 1992 flying the HS 748 and BAC 1-11 where destinations ranged from Helsinki to Tangier, from Cork to Berlin and Athens. He was also a part-time flying instructor at Earls Colne from 1994 to 1998.Additional passions included inshore and offshore yacht racing on the East Coast, France, and on the South Coast taking part in multiple Cowes Weeks with his son and daughter and their young friends.He was Commodore of the West Mersea Yacht Club from 2000 to 2003 and he and Fiona had a share in a boat based in Antibes cruising the South of France for many years.