Ad Astra Aviator Podcasts

Greg Hood. A Wealth Of Experience in Aviation and Aircraft Accidents

Air Force Association welcomes Mr Greg Hood AO  to our Podcast Program.

Greg has more than 41 years’ experience in aviation, beginning his career with almost a decade of service with the Royal Australian Air Force.  Post his Air Force time, he had a wide range of operational, training and leadership roles across the civil aviation industry.

From 2016, Greg served for 5 years as Chief Commissioner and CEO of the Australian Transport Safety Bureau, Australia’s national transport safety investigation agency.  During this tenure, he inherited the search for MH370 producing 530 investigation reports, personally attended a number of tragic multiple fatality accidents including Essendon airport and Renmark, and attended the loss of the fire-fighting C130 near Cooma.

Greg holds qualifications as a glider and powered aircraft pilot, and is a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society, a Freeman in the Honourable Company of Air Pilots, and a Life Member of the Qantas Founders Museum.

Phil Eldridge From Western Suburbs Boy to F35A Driver and Commanding Officer 2 OCU

Introducing Wing Commander Philip Eldridge.  In Phil’s words, his initial claim to fame is that he successfully navigated an interesting and (at times) exciting childhood in Sydney’s western suburbs.  A visit to the RAAF Richmond Air show in the 80’s sealed his fate. At the time he was a student of the excellent Hurlstone Agricultural High School, but had less than optimal academic focus resulting in barely scraping a pass in his HSC.

Phil joined the RAAF in November 1987 as a Direct Entry Pilot, graduating from No. 149 Pilots Course in December 1989. Posted to fast jets, he commenced his fighter training at 76 Squadron. This was followed by F/A-18A conversion in 1991 with his first tour, at 75 Squadron, beginning in 1992.

Fighter Combat Instructor course in 1994 was followed by tours as 75 Squadron Fighter Combat Instructor, 81 Wing as Standardisation Officer, Fighter Combat Instructor Course Director and Executive Officer 77 Squadron.

In 2005, Phil separated from Defence but served in the RAAF Active Reserve at 2 Operational Conversion Unit for the next 8 years. He then re-engaged in the RAAF in 2015 through the Specialist Aircrew scheme.  Phil resumed his career as Executive Officer once more at 2 Operational Conversion Unit seeing out the FA-18 Classic before transitioning to F-35s in 2020.

Aviation highlights in his career are many but include over 3600 hrs in the Classic Hornet, operational flying tours in Operations Falconer (2003) and OKRA (2016), and now flying the F35A Lightning - which is a beast!

 

Warrant Officer (retired) John McDougall. From Caribous to F111s. A demanding life

Warrant Officer (retired) John McDougall.  John had an Air Force engineering and flying career spanning 25 years.  John completed three tours on Caribous in Vietnam between August 64 and April 68.  Also, John was deployed frequently to the difficult flying environment of Papua New Guinea.  He had many other notable deployments over his career including Kashmir, Sumatra, Sacramento and Idaho.

He joined the RAAF in 1960 as Apprentice Engine Fitter.  Within a very short time after graduation from technical training, he was serving on the first deployment of Caribous with RAAF Transport Flight in Vietnam.  John’s stories about the dangers, trials and tribulations of the first few months and then his ongoing deployment for 3 Vietnam tours are fascinating and inspiring.  His first 2 tours were as an Engine Fitter and his third tour was as Aircrew performing the very diverse and challenging duties of a Caribou Loadmaster/Engineer.

Following this, John became an Instructor for Pilot and Loadmaster / Engineer Conversion courses.

John was then posted to 482 Squadron. Amberley.  Numerous deployments were made from there including four months in Sacramento doing Cold Proof Load Testing on F111-C aircraft and accepting four ex United States Air Force F-111A model aircraft to replace four that the Australian Air Force had lost.

In 1983, John was posted to Number 1 Sqn. as Warrant Officer Engineer.  He had numerous deployments from there including Bomb Comp at Mount Home Air Force Base Idaho, then to Eglin Air Force Base Florida for aircraft trials.

ANZAC Day Oratory 2023

An Oratory from Gareth McCray OAM for ANZAC Day 2023

Brian Richards, Wallaby Air Lines Vietnam Veteran

Brian Richards, ex Australian Air Force Engine Fitter and Vietnam Veteran Caribou Loadmaster/Flight Engineer.

Brian graduated from the RAAF School of Technical Training in 1959.  He signed up for 15 years when only 16 years old.

By August 1963, Brian had completed 4 years in aircraft maintenance jobs and then signed on as a Loadmaster on DHC4 Caribous.  Brian departed for Toronto, Canada in March 1964 for Conversion course and to participate in ferrying the second three Caribous to Australia.  The ferry flight took 4 weeks, arriving RAAF Base Richmond, June 1964.

In August 1964, Brian was posted for 12 months to RAAF Transport Flight Vietnam as a Loadmaster, Caribous.  It was the first deployment of Caribous into Vietnam and the establishment of operations placed the unit under huge pressure where resourcefulness and hard work made what became known as Wallaby Airlines a very successful and renowned unit amongst Aussies and Allies. 

In September 1965, Brian travelled to Toronto Canada again to ferry another Caribou to Richmond.

Brian began another testing adventure in January 1966 when he joined the newly formed RAAF Detachment A, PNG.

He then resumed his Air Force career as an Engine Fitter, culminating in March 1971 with a posting to RAAF School Technical Training as a Technical Training instructor.  He was back where he started but this time imparting his knowledge.

Brian discharged from the RAAF in January 1973 at the end of his 15 years.

He then work with Transavia, building the Transavia Air Truck and then became a Cummins Diesel instructor.

In 1977, Brian joined the NSW Bush Fire Brigade and is still a member.

Air Marshal Mel Hupfeld AO DSC Recent Chief of Air Force Reflects

Air Marshal Mel Hupfeld AO DSC   Recent Chief of Air Force Reflects

Air Marshal Mel Hupfeld, AO  DSC  joined the Royal  Australian Air  Force as an Academy  Cadet in January 1980, winning the Flying Prize for his year.

Mel’s early career was spent in a variety of flying positions on Mirage and F/A-18 aircraft, before qualifying as a Fighter Combat Instructor in 1989, followed by a period of executive appointments in Fighter Squadrons.

In 1997, Mel attended the Royal Air Force Staff Course, graduating with a Master of Arts  in Defence Studies from King's College in London, before taking up a post as Deputy Director in the Aerospace Development Branch.

In 2001, Mel took command of No 75 Squadron and led the Squadron in the Middle East on Operations BASTILLE and FALCONER.  In 2003, he was awarded a Distinguished Service Cross in recognition of his performance as Commanding Officer 75 Squadron on Operation FALCONER, and 75 Squadron was awarded a Meritorious Unit Citation.

On promotion to Group Captain in 2004, he was appointed Director Aerospace Combat Development before accepting appointment as Officer Commanding Number 81 Wing in January 2006.

Promoted to Air Commodore in 2007, Mel became the Director of the Combined Air Operations Centre in the Middle East Area of Operations, before returning to Australia to various Senior appointments including Director General Air Command Operations, Commander of Air Combat Group and then Air Commander Australia in 2012.

In 2015, Mel was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia for distinguished service to the Australian Defence Force in senior command and staff appointments.

After appointment to further very senior roles including Chief Joint Operations, he was appointed Chief of Air Force in July 2019.

Air Marshal Hupfeld is married to Louise, and his interests include mountain biking, running, fishing, light aircraft, and sailing.

Neil Lindsay, WW 2 Bomber Command and Prisoner of War Part 3

Acknowledgement: This account by Mr Neil Lindsay was recorded by AVM  Peter Scully (retired) on 5th December 1996.

 

In Part 3 of this series, Neil talks about:

 

His time as a Prisoner of War in Germany

His association with the Great Escape

His forced march through Germany in bitter weather before his liberation and return home.

Neil Lindsay, WW 2 Bomber Command and Prisoner of War Part 2

Acknowledgement: This account by Mr Neil Lindsay was recorded by Air Vice Marshal  Peter Scully (retired) on 5th December 1996.

 

In Part 2 of this series, Neil talks about:

Australian aircrew on RAF stations.  

83 Squadron on Lancaster Bombers

106 Squadron and operations over Europe in Lancaster Bombers.   An account of Flying with Wing Commander Guy Gibson, VC, DSO & Bar, DFC & Bar  who was best known in connection with the famous Dambusters

Neil Lindsay, WW 2 Bomber Command and Prisoner of War - 3 Part Series. Part 1

This is a 3 part Podcast on the WW2 flying history and prisoner of war history of Flight Lieutenant Robert Neil LINDSAY.  Neil flew with Bomber Command and after being shot down was a Prisoner of War in Germany. 

The story in the recordings by Neil Lindsay in this Podcast were told to Air Vice Marshal Peter Scully (retired) on 5th December 1996.

Neil Lindsay was born in 1917 in Melbourne.   Joining the RAAF was an enormous change for Neil as, prior to enlisting in December 1940, he had completed an agricultural degree and was working as a Jackeroo on Corona Station, north west of Longreach in Queensland.

He completed an Observers Course before embarking for Edmonton in Canada in March 1941.  Here he joined other men training under the Empire Training Scheme. 

He completed various courses as a member of No 2 Air Observers School and left Canada the following September for the United Kingdom.  He then had various postings including Number 14 Officer Training Unit and 83 Squadron before he arrived at 106 Lancaster Squadron 8th October 1942. 

At the time, Guy Gibson was the Commanding Officer.  Wing Commander Guy Penrose Gibson, VC, DSO & Bar, DFC & Bar was a distinguished bomber pilot in the Royal Air Force during the Second World War.

At 1859 hours on the night of 12/13 March 1943, Lancaster R5749 took off from Syerston, in Nottinghamshire, detailed to bomb Essen, Germany. Nothing was heard from the aircraft after take-off and it failed to return to base. The aircraft was shot down in the target area and six of the crew members were killed and Neil was taken prisoner.  Neil was listed as an Air Bomber for the mission. 

After his release on 15 April 1945 Neil gave a statement to authorities who were trying to piece together the experiences of POWs.   In part his statement says:

“the aircraft exploded at 20,000 feet after the bombing run was completed. It was hit by flak about 5 minutes previously when passing over Dorsten, and there were no outward signs of damage after a quick check by the Engineer and the Pilot.  I was the only one hit and that was in the legs. After the bomb run everything seemed alright then there was a bright yellow flash in my face and the next thing I can recall was that I was sailing through the air. I pulled my parachute cord and landed in Essen where I was picked up by the Germans. They told me the others had been killed in the crash.”

His records note that he was firstly at St Lambertus Krankenhaus Esson from 12 March to 27^th March 1943.  It was here he was treated for his injuries.  He was subsequently moved to Dulag Frankfurt,  Luft Heydekruge,  Luft III Sagan and Marlag Milag. 

Luft III Sagan was famous for escaping activities unlike other camps where escaping was a minority activity.  In the 22 months after the camp opened, the Germans logged 262 escape attempts: most had failed.

Neil arrived at Stalag Luft III on 18 March 1944 just days before the notorious “Great Escape” on 24 March.   He was not part of the escape owing to his relative late arrival at the prison and the continuing effects from the wounds that he suffered when his Lancaster crashed.

On the night of 24 March 1944, 76 Allied prisoners of Stalag Luft III German prison camp in Sagan, 100 miles southeast of Berlin, escaped through a tunnel named "Harry."  Within days most were recaptured.  An outraged Hitler had 50 of them shot, an appalling abrogation of the Geneva Convention, to which Germany was a signatory. Twenty-three were reincarcerated. Only three made it all the way to freedom—a Dutchman and two Norwegians, all flyers with the British Royal Air Force.

Five of the murdered prisoners were nominally Australian, although only three wore RAAF uniform.   

For Neil, Christmas 1944 at Stalag Luft III was bitterly cold: 6 inches of snow fell in the night turning the camp into a white wonderland.  The men had been saving tin cans and the like and flattening them to make decorations for the huts.  The Messiah was performed by a choir of 80 with a full orchestra in the church/theatre which was situated in the centre compound.  Food for Christmas was very scarce as supplies had not been getting through and then came a miracle when a few days before Christmas a batch of Red Cross parcels arrived with canned turkey, plum pudding, cigarettes, cigars, candles.  In the western compound Santa in a red and white suit arrived to the sound of sleigh bells.  Two men were dressed as reindeers and Santa tossed bundles of mail to the POWs.  Mail had been allowed to accumulate for some time so that Santa had gifts for all.   It was one of the “not to be forgotten” days at Sagan.

All camps had talented men from musicians, Actors, Singers and those that taught classes in anything from theology, Latin to history and much more.  The men were able to sit for exams which gained many of them entry into higher education when they returned home. 

After his release in April 1945, Neil spent two weeks in hospital before boarding a ship on 8 August bound for Australia, arriving home a month later.   He was discharged from the RAAF on 7 January 1946. 

After discharge he returned to the United Kingdom.  There is a record of the questionnaire he, as with all POWs, answered after their return to Australia lodged at the National Archives of Australia.   Interesting reading.

Neil had married Joan Winifred Bardwell at Oakham, Rutland in April 1942. He and Joan came back to Australia in September 1950 travelling on the Himalaya with their two daughters, Margaret Ann and Joanna May.

Neil died in January 2001 predeceased by Joan the previous December.

His name appears on the magnificent POW Memorial at Ballarat.

In this 3-part Podcast, Neil personally relates his story.  The sound quality is a little poor.  It is a significant part of Australian history and deserves listening to.

Part One Intro

In Part 1 of this series, Neil briefly talks about:

1.    his early adult life before joining the Australian Air Force on 6 Decenber 1940,

2.    his training days in Australia in preparation for the war against Hitler,

3.    his adventures in Canada for aircrew training, and

4.    his final very intense preparations in the UK before starting flying: 

 

“We went straight from our training unit to Lancasters.  I went onto 83 squadron where I did my first three operations as a navigator and bomb aimer and seemed to cope OK”.

 

Listen in to Neil:  The sound is poor quality but listenable.  It is a significant part of Australian history and deserves listening to.

 

Ray and Pauline James - A dynamic Duo

Introducing Ray and Pauline James

 

Ray and Pauline James are a husband and wife team who collaborate marvellously to provide RSL services to Veterans.  Ray is active as an RSL Member in many appointments including President of RSL NSW.  Pauline had contributed uniquely as State Manager for RSL NSW Auxiliaries.

They together produce an astounding contribution to veterans that is uniquely impactful.  The outline follows of each of their contributions to our Australian way of life.

 

Introducing Ray James OAM President of RSL NSW

Ray is also appointed to the following Associated Entities:
Director RSL National
Chair of RSL Custodian Pty Ltd
ANZAC House Trust
Anzac Memorial Trust
Australian Forces and Overseas Fund
RSL Life Care

A Vietnam veteran, Ray James served over 20 years in the Royal Australian Navy, with another 26 years in the Royal Australian Navy Reserve, retiring with the rank of Chief Petty Officer.

He also served with the Transport Investigation Branch and NSW Police Force.

Ray has held senior positions at RSL sub-Branch and District Council levels and is currently a member of Ingleburn RSL sub-Branch.

He is also chair of RSL Custodian Pty Ltd and Vice President of the NSW Branch of the Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia.

 

 

Introducing Pauline James  OAM. State Co-Ordinator, RSL NSW Auxiliaries.

 

Pauline has been a great Vietnam Veterans supporter for many years.  She lost three cousins in Vietnam and one more later.

 

Pauline James was born in Coonamble, country New South Wales, the oldest of 7 children. 

 

Pauline was introduced to the life of Veterans and their needs from a young age. Her grandfather, uncles and cousins served in various Wars. Many lost their lives. Pauline married a Vietnam Veteran in the early 1970s and has witnessed first hand the struggles of those who serve.

 

In 2009, Pauline became an active member of Ingleburn RSL Sub-Branch Women’s Auxiliary.

 

Pauline was elected in 2011 as Western & Southern Metropolitan Councillor on the RSL NSW Central Council of Women’s Auxiliaries and then in 2014 was elected Deputy State President.  And in 2016, she became the State President.

 

Pauline was the State Co- Ordinator of RSL Auxiliaries in 2019 when the auxiliaries included male members for the first time in the auxiliaries history.

 

During her time in these various positions Pauline has dedicated a large amount of her time to building up membership within the RSL Women’s Auxiliaries across NSW. She has also raised awareness of Veterans issues to the broader community.

 

 In 2014 Pauline commissioned the ‘Lest We Forget Quilt Project’.  Pauline with her team of ladies supported the Invictus Games held in Sydney in 2018 by donating specially made quilts.  Pauline also introduced Thank You for Your Service Quilts in 2019.

 

Lest We Forget

“We may not have made a Rembrandt or Norman Lindsay, but what we have made has been made with love and respect for our service men and women”.

 

Pauline says “I look back and think about how as a young Navy Wife I boldly fronted the council at Redfern and got a building to start the first Navy playgroup, which was a great success”.