At the outbreak of war in 1939, Collard joined the Advanced Air Striking Force which was based in France.

He also became involved in politics, and in November 1957 he was chosen to follow Brigadier Sir Frank Medlicott as Conservative Party candidate for Central Norfolk for the next general election; Medlicott was in dispute with his Association over the Suez crisis, and had resigned the Conservative whip.

In March 1960 he appealed to Members of Parliament who visited British forces' bases in foreign countries to think about what they reported about the morale of the servicemen.

He defended the government's decision to abandon the Blue Streak missile and buy the American Skybolt.

He did return to Parliament and in July 1962 objected to noise abatement rules and their effects on airlines, arguing that aircraft took off at the maximum load and the pilots should not be distracted by other considerations.

His brother Peter, whom he trained to fly and was also awarded the DFC, was shot down and killed in his Hurricane serving with 615 Squadron in the Battle of Britain.