LIONEL AND THE TIGER
by Brian Lees
At the end
of March, 1973, Lionel took VH-AGX to Bourke with Johnny Messenger
and myself to pick up the Western NSW contract following continued
problems with Cessna 206 VH-DGD. The usual scene took place where
every aircraft enthusiast in town responded to Lionel's flypast
by coming out to the airport. Lionel took several up for a circuit
and one enthusiast, a cotton farmer named Jack Buster, made an offer
to Lionel to fly his Tiger Moth "anytime he liked". Well, it was
cloudy the next day, so Lionel decided to take him up on his offer.
The Tiger Moth was locked up in its hangar - so Lionel picked the
lock! Any reservations Johnny and I expressed were dismissed by
"if he didn't mean it, he shouldn't have said it". Lionel proceeded
to give Johnny and I our introduction to Tiger Moth flying. I was
on my third or fourth circuit when I spotted a fast moving dust
trail heading from Jack Buster's farm towards the airport. When
I looked for it on the next circuit, I saw it stop, wait a moment,
and then turn back, presumably as Jack recalled (and probably regretted)
his generous offer of the day before. Lionel was unperturbed, and
Johnny and I had a great morning's flying. |
If you wish to contribute your experiences,
please contact Ron
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