Norman Duncan Want (9 Jun 1935 - 13 Apr 2021)

In loving memory of Norman Duncan Want who sadly passed away on 13th April 2021.
Norman Duncan Want, born 9th June 1935, near Stamford, Lincolnshire, to Ernest George Want and Helen Taylor Want.
Norman grew up around Stamford, and attended Stamford School, where he excelled at cross country running.
Upon leaving school he had been accepted to train as a pilot in the Royal Air Force, but completed a few months of National Service first. His fixed wing pilot training started in Moosejaw, Saskatchewan, Canada, after which he travelled briefly in the western United States.
Returning to the UK he trained on jet aircraft, and was posted first to 20 Squadron, flying Hunters in Germany. His subsequent RAF career included:
72 Squadron, flying Javelins.
19 Squadron, flying Hunters and then Lightnings.
AFDS test flying Lightnings at RAF Binbrook.
74 “Tiger” Squadron, flying Lightnings, initially at RAF Leuchars in Scotland, and then transferring via the epic Operation Hydraulic to RAF Tengah in Singapore.
Norman also flew on detachments with the French Air Force (Mirage) and the United States Air Force (F-102 Delta Dagger, F-106 Delta Dart)
A period of ground based postings then saw Norman involved in RAF recruitment, the development of pilots notes, and TACEVAL testing of northern NATO operations, based out of Norway.
Norman returned to flying in the 1980s, as OC OPS at RAF Binbrook, operating the Lightning once again.
His final years in the RAF included postings to Kuwait liaising with the Royal Kuwaiti Air Force (for which he was awarded the OBE), further service in Germany, and then command of the Handling Squadron at RAF Boscombe Down.
Upon leaving the Royal Air Force, Norman took up a Civil Service position at Boscombe Down until his retirement at 65.
Norman married Diana Flintham in 1959, and they had a daughter, Fiona, in 1960, and a son, Stephen, in 1962.
Norman and Diana lived in Salisbury, Wiltshire, since 1990 in a house overlooking Old Sarum. In their retirement Norman and Diana played golf, predominantly at High Post golf club, travelled the world, gardened, and enjoyed reunions with their many RAF acquaintances, and time spent with their grandchildren, Holly, Freddie and Merlin, and a great-grandchild, Aurora.