Archive (22 life histories found)

Initially there were 77 entries in the Race, but only 60 managed to complete the course. There were 3 classes: A, single piston - engined; B. unsupercharged twin piston - engined up to12,500 lbs and C supercharged or twin turboprop up to 12,500lbs…

We spent a few days relaxing in Sydney and then it was time to fly home. Our route back was much the same but with more refueling stops and at a more relaxed pace. We experienced an alternator failure going into Alice Springs, but got it fixed ok…

We spent a very merry Christmas and New year in Adelaide. The final sector of the race was to Bankstown ( Sydney ), with a compulsory stop over of one hour at Griffiths. Using the handicap system the organizers staggered the take off times so that…

Got a quick 30 min turn around and headed straight for Darwin. OZ at last! But our troubles were not over. As we got in range ATC informed that there were heavy thunderstorms in his area and the airfield had had a lighting strike and they were now…

This leg had presented difficulties for some of the other competitors. Miss Sheila Scott ( Air Race 99 ) was forced to land at Macassar due to electrical problems and was in need of some help. The Red Arrows team , flying a SIAI. - Marchetti SF…

Next leg was across Saudi Arabia to Bahrain. I had never before seen such a desolate landscape, the Arabs call it,' Rub'al Khali or the empty quarter' and it certainly justifies the name. Quick turn around at Bahrain, little did I know at that…

The Race was due to start on 17th Dec, but due to appalling weather conditions over the UK and France, the organizers postponed it for 24 hours in the interests of safety as some of the older aircraft were not equipped to fly in IMC (Instrument Met…

I will always remember that night as one of the loneliest I had ever experienced. There was a full silver moon shinning on the Indian Ocean and off to the left I could just make out the rugged coastline of Iran. We had taken off from Bahrain at…