• AVM Graham Skinner oral history interview

Air Vice Marshal Graham Skinner has had a long, varied and distinguished career in the Royal Air Force, specialising in engineering.

Passionate about aviation as a young boy, he joined the RAF straight from school. However, his exceptional abilities were soon recognised, resulting in his being sent to Bristol University to undertake a BSc in aeronautical engineering. Despite qualifying as a pilot with the University Air Squadron, Graham opted to continue his career in the Air Force specialising as an engineer. This led to a highly-varied series of roles and challenges, ranging from keeping helicopters flying in the desert to maintaining supersonic fighters in a state of readiness; roles which subsequently encompassed logistics as well as engineering, and concluding with his appointment as C-in-C Logistics Command. His problem-solving contributions were recognised with the award of a CBE.

Graham Skinner’s interview reflects not just a history of dealing with changing technology but also the excitement and challenge of a career in engineering.

AVM Graham Skinner CBE was interviewed by Sir George Cox CRAeS as part of the Royal Aeronautical Society/National Aerospace Library’s oral history project ‘If I only didn’t do it that way…….” Capturing history from the horse’s mouth to inspire today’s aeronautical professionals. The recording was edited by edited by Eur Ing Mike Stanberry FRAeS.