Dave,

Yip I think Sir Tim’s old Zero has been abit of a film star… Empire of the Sun, Tora Tora Tora , and Pearl Harbour. Tim Middleton once told me this Zero was made out of three “Harvards” and still had fully functioning dual controls behind the pilot’s seat !

Dave,

from what I recall he was lost flying a Pitts Special over a boy scout camp in Wanaka at the request of the aircraft’s owner, Tim Wallis,you should be able to find the accident report on the TAIC website.

Dave,

I think the wingwalker was “Rusty” Butterworth

Arhhhh the wonderfull old ATC days. I joined up at 13, and “retired” as Warrant Officer at 18 ! The best 6 years of my life. Got to fly in a stack of aeroplanes (Andover, Herc, 727,F27, P3K Orion, Iroquois) and did my Flying Schol with CFS in the Air Tourer. Never did get a ride in a jet, but alot of the guys did. Must of spent about 3 months in total living on a stack of bases also.

We had some great Instructors, a few left over from the Second World War, wish I’d spent more time with them now. Like the Services in general so many of those oportunities just don’t exsist anymore. When I was flying light twins afew years back I made an offer to the local ATC Squadron for one cadet per week to come on a frieght run, would you beleave the cadets where not that interested ! The Sqn CO was a regular at the Aero Club bar, and all round good guy (also the local Air Force Base Dr).

must be lots more ATC memories out there !

Janie,

excellent pics ! Have many a good memory of a beer or two in the BP tent next to the bus !

Forget the ‘WORKING FOR FREE’ thing, this can , and will backfire on you in many ways. The Para Dropping or Towing is a very good option, but go into it with a very open mind. Don’t visit these Clubs just once (every PPL has done that) but drop in again and again, show them how keen you are. Don’t exspect a red carpet, remember these guys are paying for your hours, forget that once and you will probley be shown the door.