This may well be a long-shot, but you never know on this forum!!
It was suggested that I contact several real-life Spitfire pilots for suggestions for my novel, both current (Charlie Brown?) and former (Geoff Wellum?), so that I can make it more realistic.
Can anyone point me in the right direction as to who or where to write to?
Pilots I’d be interested in contacting are:
(current)
Ray Hanna
Nigel Lamb
Charlie Brown
Stephen Grey
Paul Day
Robs Lamplough
– there’s a few others, too!
(former)
Geoff Wellum
Bob Doe
Pete Brothers
I’m not expecting them to help me throughout the book, as I know it’s not gonna be the top of their agenda(!) but a few pointers and comments would be nice.
TIA
Daz
By: DazDaMan - 1st March 2004 at 09:13
Will have to try HAC for Charlie Brown.
Andy Sephton has agreed to help, too 🙂
By: Auster Fan - 27th February 2004 at 20:18
Originally posted by Janie
He flies for HAC (Hangar 4) at Duxford, c/o Howard Cook.
Ooops! Sorree – I got it wrong again Dad! Janie – I think your In Box is full again!
By: DazDaMan - 27th February 2004 at 20:10
Janie – I’ve already contacted HFL, should I give HAC a try instead?
By: Chipmunk Carol - 27th February 2004 at 16:55
Originally posted by Auster Fan
Charlie Brown, as far as I am aware is currently … is also Chief Pilot (I think) for historic Flying at Audley End (please correct me if I am wrong!!)
He flies for HAC (Hangar 4) at Duxford, c/o Howard Cook.
By: DazDaMan - 27th February 2004 at 15:49
Result! Lee Proudfoot has just got back to me about it – he’s happy to help 🙂
By: Black Knight - 27th February 2004 at 14:46
Alister Kay, Lee Proudfoot can also be contacted through OFMC at Duxford, Mark Linney can usually be contacted through OFMC as well but he is is the webmaster for avi8.com, so you could try contacting him through there. Keith Skilling is back in New Zealand but should be at Duxford for Flying Legends.
By: RobAnt - 27th February 2004 at 13:11
Is Paul Day any relation to Flt Lt, Rock group drummer & DIY enthusiast Martin Day, the Tucano display pilot?
Merely curious.
By: Yak 11 Fan - 27th February 2004 at 11:57
Originally posted by Auster Fan
Charlie Brown, as far as I am aware is currently serving as a Flt Lt in the RAF as OC Standards Flight at RAF Barkston Heath, although is also Chief Pilot (I think) for historic Flying at Audley End (please correct me if I am wrong!!)
Historic Flying moved from Audley End to Duxford a few years ago and work very closely with ARCo
By: archieraf - 27th February 2004 at 10:45
Something you also might like to consider doing is contacting your local braches of Air Crew Association and RAFA. They may have members who live local to you that would be willing to share their experiences.
By: DazDaMan - 27th February 2004 at 09:52
Thanks for those replies, guys.
Another couple of current warbird pilots I want to try are:
Andy Sephton
Keith Skilling
Alister Kay (OFMC)
Lee Proudfoot (OFMC again)
Mark Linney
By: JDK - 27th February 2004 at 09:22
You could get to Geoff Wellum via his publisher.
By: Auster Fan - 27th February 2004 at 09:17
Ray Hanna and Nigel Lamb can be contacted at Duxford via the OFMC, I would think and Stephen Grey at The Fighter Collection at Duxford (both organisations have web sites). Charlie Brown, as far as I am aware is currently serving as a Flt Lt in the RAF as OC Standards Flight at RAF Barkston Heath, although is also Chief Pilot (I think) for historic Flying at Audley End (please correct me if I am wrong!!)
Sign In
February 27, 2004 at 9:08 am