Most Memorable Operation

Never shot down. Engine failure in long range Spitfire, September 1942. After sharing in the destruction of a JU52 at Charing Cross (100 miles behind the lines at El Alamein. This JU52 was a flamer and probably contained German Air Ace Marseilles, returning from leave. (As per German interrogation). Escaped and returned to UK in October 1943. Second Tour - engine failure near Albert in France, March 1944. Bailed out and escaped after arrest, 10 days later. Walked over the Pyrenees, and returned via Spain.

Rogue Rockets

During practice at Trenton, for the “CNE Waterbreaker” Air Show, during the Korean War in August 1951. The Sgt. Armouer mixed the sequences and my firing button launched a rocket from the encircling arms of the “ERK” who was fitting it to the rails. Luckily, the only damage was to a farmer’s telephone lines 2.1 miles north. Then, during the daily live ammo air show at the CNE (4Mustangs from 424 Auxillary Squadron, each with 4 rockets and six 0.5 mg.’s) the AP rockets ricocheted, whenever we missed the floating target in front of the grandstand, and formatted on the launching aircraft. An airman solved the problem by blunting the nose of the rockets with a cutting torch, so they crumpled on impact for the last of 10 of my 14 airshows.