| Description Summary | Guthrie recalls his childhood, describes the family environment and schooling before the World War II. He describes Air Force training at Whenuapai; the Ohakea Flying School; machine gun practice; a crash in the Tararua Ranges; and a crash on Mt. Egmont (Mt. Taranaki); his final leave before going overseas; the trip to England via Canada; further training in England for flying Spitfires; and, his posting to the Middle East. Guthrie details various aircraft including the Gladiator, the Hawker Hart, Tiger Moth, Hurricane, Anson and Oxford. He recalls flying at altitude and shares a story of an unplanned desert landing. Mentions flying a Proctor similar to that flown by Jean Batten. |
| Keywords | Hall, Ross; Halton, John; Sinclair, Bruce; Metcalf, Lloyd; Westward, Jeff; Ohakea Flying School; Fisher, Peter; Dixon, Derek; Cooper, Maurie; SS President Grant (ship); Morgan, Perry; Dowling, Derek; Webber, Jack; New Zealand Royal Airforce; Nelson; Ohakea; Whenuapai; Haupai; Tararua Ranges; Mt. Taranaki (Mt. Egmont); Britain; World War II 1939 - 1945; |
