From Tiger Moths to Test Pilot

An aviation friend said that the author, the son of a dairy farmer, started school, at East Takaka, as a bare footed urchin and the youngest of five boys. He always wanted to fly. After gaining his Private Pilots Licence on Tiger Moths he tried to join the RNZAF for pilot training. He was rejected and caught the next available boat to England to join the RAF.

He won the award for the best pilot on his course and went to a fighter squadron in Germany, flying Vampires and the F-86 Sabre. After completing that tour he qualified as an instructor and after a tour instructing with the Cambridge University Air Squadron he was selected for the Empire Test Pilots’ School.