John Cunningham (RAF officer)
| John Cunningham | |
|---|---|
Wing Commander John Cunningham, 1942
|
|
| Nickname(s) | Cat's Eyes |
| Born |
27 July 1917 Croydon, south London |
| Died | 21 July 2002 (aged 84) |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service/branch |
Royal Air Force Royal Auxiliary Air Force |
| Years of service | 1936–1967 |
| Rank | Group captain |
| Unit | No. 604 Squadron RAF |
| Commands held | No. 85 Squadron RAF |
| Battles/wars | Second World War |
| Awards |
Commander of the Order of the British Empire Distinguished Service Order & Two Bars Distinguished Flying Cross & Bar Mentioned in Despatches Air Efficiency Award Silver Star (United States) Order of the Patriotic War (USSR) |
John "Cat's Eyes" Cunningham CBE, DSO & Two Bars, DFC & Bar, AE (27 July 1917 – 21 July 2002) was a Royal Air Force (RAF) night fighter ace during the Second World War and a test pilot. During the war he was nicknamed "Cat's Eyes" by the British Press to explain his successes and to avoid communicating the existence of airborne radar to the enemy.
Born in Croydon, Cunningham was keen on entering the aviation industry as a teenager. Temporarily abiding his father's wishes to avoid the military, he approached the de Havilland company and was accepted as an engineering candidate. Concurrently, he joined the Royal Auxiliary Air Force and became a member of No. 604 (County of Middlesex) Squadron. Cunningham began his training in August 1935, flew solo in March 1936 and received his wings in 1937. He gradually became an established test pilot, gaining considerable flying time on different types of aircraft.
In August 1939 Cunningham rejoined his squadron, now equipped with a version of the Bristol Blenheim. His operator was Jimmy Rawnsley, who would serve as his gunner and radio operator for most of the war and contribute to all but three of Cunningham's victories. In July 1940 the squadron was re-designated a specialised night fighter unit and was amongst the first to receive airborne interception radar (AI). Cunningham was promoted to squadron leader in September 1940.
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