John Lapsley

Air Marshal Sir John Hugh Lapsley KBE, CB, DFC, AFC, RAF (24 September, 1916 – 21 November, 1995) was a World War II fighter pilot and, later, a senior Royal Air Force commander.

Early in World War II, Lapsley flew Gloster Gladiators based on Malta. Later in the war, he would serve as the commander of the 125th Spitfire Wing. In 1968 he took up the post of Air Officer Commander-in-Chief, Coastal Command.

Quotes

* Describing the Gloster Gladiator's combat performance:
** "Even when it had a height advantage and was correctly positioned it could usually achieve at best only one close pass at the SM-79."

References

* [http://www.rafweb.org/Biographies/Lapsley.htm Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation - Air Mshl Lapsley]