Air Vice-Marshal Ronald Dick, RAF (Ret.) died at his home in Virginia on March 25 2008. He was seventy-six.

Dick served in the Royal Air Force as a fighter pilot and a V-bomber squadron commander before settling in the United States, where he launched a second career as a lecturer and

Ronald Dick was born on October 18, 1931 at Newcastle upon Tyne, but spent his boyhood in London. As a nine-year old he saw his house demolished by a German bomb and watched Hurricane fighters engaging Luftwaffe bombers. From that moment he always wanted to be a fighter pilot. He was educated at Beckenham and Penge County Grammar School, and in 1949 was awarded a cadetship to the RAF college, Cranwell, where he trained as a pilot. Dick was commissioned in 1952 and soon established himself as an excellent fighter pilot. He flew Meteors with No. 64 Squadron, becoming a member of its formation aerobatic team. His skill as a pilot was recognized when, in 1955, he won the Clarkson trophy, awarded to the best aerobatic pilot at the Central Flying School; in 1956 he won the Wright Jubilee trophy as the best RAF flying instructor.

After serving on the examining wing of the Central Flying School, Dick spent the next three years as a flying instructor with the USAF in Alabama. Dick's flying career took a new turn in 1962 when he became the flight commander of No IX Squadron, operating the Vulcan nuclear bomber.

In 1970 he returned to command the squadron when it was based at Akrotiri, on Cyprus. During a visit to New Zealand he flew at air shows, displaying the exceptional maneuverability and low-lying characteristics of the big bomber. Dick served as military assistant to the Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe and in 1978 was appointed to command RAF Honington, the base for three Buccaneer squadrons. He flew the tactical bomber regularly and led detachments to the USAF "Red Flag" tactical training facility at Nellis AFB, Nevada.

From 1980 to 1982 Dick was appointed air attache in Washington, D.C. At the time of the Falklands War he played a major role in negotiating support for British air operations. Then, after a brief period at the Ministry of Defence, he returned to Washington as an air vice-marshal in November 1984 in the roles of head of the British Defence Staff and defence attache, remaining for another three years. During his second term at the embassy he was deeply involved in discussions and negotiations on American-led initiatives on disarmament that eventually led to the end of the Cold War. On his retirement from the RAF, he decided to settle near Washington to pursue his interests in aviation history. He was appointed a Smithsonian international fellow at the National Air and Space Museum and a visiting lecturer at the USAF Air University at Maxwell, Alabama.

Dick's passion for flying never wavered. In 1983 he piloted a restored B-17 Flying Fortress bomber from California across the U.S. and the Atlantic to the Imperial War Museum at Duxford. He also flew American fighters, including the P-40 Warhawk, the P-51 Mustang, and his Tiger Moth until shortly before his death. He retired from the RAF in 1988, when he was appointed CB. He had previously been awarded a Queen's Commendation for Valuable Services in the Air (1973). In 1987 he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society.

His extensive knowledge of aviation history was quickly recognized. He advised the makers of the film Memphis Belle, the story of an American B-17 crew in World War II. Working with the renowned aviation photographer Dan Patterson, he wrote several acclaimed books, including American Eagles, a history of the USAF and published to celebrate the service's 50th anniversary. In 2003, Dick published The Aviation Century, the first of a five-volume history which was completed in 2006. In addition to accounts of aircraft, pioneering flights and air combat, the work included 400 portraits and profiles of great personalities in aviation. He also wrote numerous books on British aircraft, including the Lancaster and the Hurricane.

In 2005 Dick chaired the 44th annual enshrinement ceremony at the U.S. National Aviation Hall of Fame, widely known as "America's Oscar Night of Aviation". He was in great demand as a lecturer on cruise liners, and for many years led Smithsonian military and aviation heritage tours to Britain and Europe. He was a vice-president of the Vulcan Crew Chiefs' Association.

Dick was a tall, distinguished-looking and gently-spoken man who laughed easily. His leadership style--based on a quiet authority, imposing presence, professional knowledge and caring attitude--was very effective and made him a popular and respected commander. In later life, to those who used his rank when they addressed him, he would respond: "Please, it's just Ron." He was a keen and knowledgeable ornithologist and a supporter of wildlife conservation.

He is survived by his wife, Pauline (Paul) Lomax, and their son and daughter.