Some Aircraft

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Ian learnt to fly in Ceylon (now Sri Lanka), in a de Havilland Tiger Moth (DH82A)  This is one is in Army markings.  Ours were painted silver, one registration that I remember is 4R-AAB. The instructor sat in front, the pupil behind. Communication between them was by a Gosport tube:

The CFI at the Ceylon Air Academy was Capt. Amerasekera who flew bombers (Wellingtons or Halifaxes) in the wartime Royal Air Force. Another instructor was Stanley Fernando. With their help it didn't take long for me to  obtain my Private Pilot's License.  I made many memorable flights over the jungles, mountains, paddy fields and coastline of Ceylon.

After my first solo I was let loose in an  Auster J/1 Autocrat 4R-AAM, and also 4R-AAJ, an Auster 5.

These, like the Tiger Moth, were hand swung to start.   One could just about seat three, two side by side and a small seat facing sideways behind.

There were two De Havilland DHC1 Chipmunks on loan to the CAA from the Ceylon RAF.  These were the first aircraft that I flew that were fitted with a radio. They were started by firing a cartridge.  They were good for aerobatics! (Though you could loop and do stall turns in a Tiger Moth).

The Tiger Moth and the Chipmunk were fitted with Gypsy Major engines.

Many thanks to Roger Thiedeman of Airways magazine for providing updated information regarding my recollection of the above aircraft.

Whilst  in Ceylon another small plane I flew was a Stinson L5E (used in WW II as a liaison and as a casevac plane). Ours had a hinged panel on the starboard  side of the fuselage which opened to allow a stretcher and patient to be inserted behind the pilot.  It was a STOL aircraft with powerful flaps and ailerons that could be drooped for short field landings.  It had a hefty Lycoming engine.

These two photos were provided by Amie in Alaska. Her father restored this L5E to its original condition. She emailed: "I think the CAP used it for a few years right after the war, then it was given to a mechanic's school for them to practice on. My Dad acquired it from a friend about 5 years ago. The whole thing was in pieces, and he earned his mechanic's license while he was rebuilding it."  You can see what a great job he has made of it!

I also flew a Czechoslovakian-made Sokol  M.1D model (4R-AAG).  It had a retractable undercarriage - one had to crank a handle many turns.  (This is a Swedish example).

Back in England I was able to continue flying with my P.P.L.  From Thruxton in Wiltshire I flew a Jackaroo which was a widened Tiger Moth  able to carry  four persons. The undercarriage and centre section were similarly widened resulting in an increase in span.  Its performance was not very spectacular! 

I also flew a Cessna 150:

At the Oxford Air Training College I first flew Piper Cherokee 140's:

and Piper Twin Comanches:

When I went out to Bahrain to join Gulf Aviation (which later became Gulf Air) my first "proper" plane was a Douglas Dakota, also known as a DC3 or C47:

I learnt a lot about flying in this one!   As a not-so-young but inexperienced copilot I was  taught a great deal by some excellent Captains, some of whom had flown these aircraft in the Berlin Airlift.

After the DC3 I advanced to the Fokker Friendship (F27)

and the Beech Queen Air:

Then the British Aircraft Corporation 1-11:  I flew these working for Gulf Aviation, British Caledonian and Dan-Air.

Before I retired from flying I was happy in a Boeing 727 (100's & 200's):

This  ex-JAL 727-46, G-BAJW belonged to my  old Company and was taken at Tegel Airport, Berlin. 

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I hope you liked my gallery of what are now somewhat antiquated aircraft!  ;-)

Though I never flew with this airline! (Thanks to Richard for this one!)