At 18 years of age the author was trained as a fighter pilot during National Service in the Royal Air Force. This was followed by 6 years with Nos. 616 and 501 fighter squadrons in the Royal Auxiliary Air Force, then 6 years as an airline pilot with Trans Australia Airlines and Swissair. Particular attention is paid to his experiences flying the Gloster Meteor, the Allies first jet fighter, and the saga of the well-kept secret of the many lives lost flying this airplane. Also described here are his job with the Bristol Aero Engines Company as engineer responsible for the flight testing of the Olympus engine in the Avro Vulcan, and Orpheus engine in the Folland Gnat and 3 European Light Fighters; his extensive experience teaching engineering at the South Australian Institute of Technology and University culminating as Head of the Mechanical and manufacturing Department, together with continuing practical experience consulting to industry and the national Defence and Research Organisation; and some post-retirement business activities. The author's private life is also discussed, especially his evacuation as a 9 year old from England to Australia in World War II, resulting in 5 1/2 years away from his family. Also included are comments on his first marriage, divorce and second marriage, his studies for various qualifications, a brief medical history, and interests in sport, music, video, and the internet. Finally there is a large section on travelling, with many photos covering more than 60 countries. So it seems appropriate that this autobiography should include Appendix 9 as acknowledgement of the part that travelling and photography have become in the lives of the author and his wife, Carole-Anne Fooks (see livingtravel.com). Similarly, to give some recognition to the author’s love of crosswords and quizzes, (evident in previous publications), some chapters end with questions which could be like standard cryptic crossword clues, but with no crossword!
The book is written in reverse chronological order – you can read it backwards if you prefer, or of course just pick out the odd chapter.
Since retiring in 1992, travel videos have been created (many becoming available on Create Space & Amazon!) and photographs taken in the following countries: Australia, UK, Italy, USA, Antarctica, Southern Ocean Islands, South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Madagascar, Mauritius, Russia, Iceland, Malaysia, Thailand, Bhutan, Brazil, Canada, Tanzania, Kenya, Rwanda, Turkey, Greece, Croatia, Singapore, Mongolia, South Korea, Cambodia, South Atlantic Islands, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Netherlands, Denmark, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Finland, Sweden, Norway, India.