Alan Pollock, RAF’s Tower Bridge Maverick, Dies at 89

Photo Credits: The Daily Mail

Flight Lieutenant Alan Pollock, the famous RAF pilot who amazed the country in 1968 by flying his Hawker Hunter jet through London’s Tower Bridge, passed away on 1 July 2025, aged 89. 

The Famous Flight 

Pollock’s most famous act, flying under Tower Bridge, was not a stunt for fame; it was a protest. Frustrated by the government’s failure to recognise the 50th anniversary of the Royal Air Force, he decided to take matters into his own hands. On 5 April 1968, he broke formation, pretended there was a radio failure, and flew low over Parliament before weaving his jet between the bridge towers. 

The Life of Alan Pollock 

Born on 13 March 1936, Pollock joined the RAF in 1953 and quickly gained a reputation as an outstanding pilot. He flew Hunters in Germany, trained future pilots, and served in Aden during tribal unrest. He was also part of the aerobatic team that preceded the Red Arrows.  

After leaving the RAF, Pollock worked in defence and business but never lost his love for aviation. He founded the “They Were There” project, collecting over 300 WWII veterans’ signatures and stories to raise money for war widows. He was a regular contributor to the RAF Historical Society and tirelessly supported service charities.  

Photo Credits: Aviation Geek Club

A Tribute to His Legacy 

Alan Pollock’s passing signifies the end of an extraordinary life. We say goodbye to someone who had the courage to stand by his beliefs. His famous flight through Tower Bridge stirred controversy at the time, but today, it serves as a strong tribute to the values he lived by honour, service, and remembrance.