I have always been fascinated by aircraft for as long as I can remember.  In 1940, due to the war, my parents moved to  a village on the Sussex/Surrey border. About 6 miles away was, the Canadian built airfield, Dunsfold, and my earliest memories of aircraft were seeing the B25 Mitchell Bombers operating from Dunsfold. One particular memory, that is etched on my mind, was seeing two of these aircraft collide and crash nearby. I recall visiting the Pallinghurst Estate, with my brother and friends, to see the remains of one of these aircraft.

 After the war Dunsfold was, I understand, used for a period by Skyways who operated Avro Yorks and Douglas C47 aircraft from the airfield. In 1950 Hawker Aircraft Ltd took over the airfield and established their final-assembly shops and experimental-flight facilities there. As a young lad I used to cycle to Dunsfold during school holidays to watch the aircraft taking off and landing.

In 1956 I left school and became a Junior Design Draughtsman with a small company based in Cranleigh. The company was  involved in the design of aircraft modifications and installation work. In 1959  I  joined Air Couriers Ltd a company who, originally based at Croydon Airport, were due to move into a new hangar at Gatwick Airport. However, before the hangar was complete the company had to locate at Biggin Hill and for a period I was employed  by the company at Biggin Hill on the shop floor.  In 1961 the company moved into their new hangar at Gatwick. I was then employed in the Drawing Office designing modifications and repair schemes for the aircraft maintained by the company. These aircraft  ranged from the Piper Cub to the Douglas DC6. In 1964 I  joined an Airline based  Gatwick, undertaking similar design work on the company’s aircraft .

However, I could not see myself working on a drawing board for the rest of my working life so in 1967  I decided to advance my career beyond the drawing board. During the years since leaving school I had, on a part time basis, obtained my Ordinary National and Higher National Certificates in Mechanical Engineering .

At that time the Army, due to the expansion of the Army Air Corps, were short of Aircraft Artificers and were recruiting suitably qualified technicians as Direct Entry Artificers. I applied for one of these posts and having passed the selection board I joined the Royal Mechanical and Electrical Engineers as a potential Aircraft Artificer.  On  completion of the course my career as an Aircraft Artificer began. For the next 22 years I was involved in the maintenance of Army Aircraft around the globe, ranging from the Sioux AH Mk1 to the Lynx AH Mk 7 including the fixed wing Beaver and Chipmunk aircraft.

 Since leaving the Army  I  have been involved  in the Post Design Services for a number of helicopter engines. I continue to take a great interest in the world of aviation and follow a number of aviation websites.