Baron ditching
Hi Sabre.
That "colorful identity" is still about, living in Cairns and retired from flying but not from life. Was in good health at the Talair reunion in '05.
Further to that story, I believe that the Talair pilot who accompanied the Pacific Helicopters pilot to the ditching site decided to sieze the opportunity, and is rumoured to have said to Max "...I'll pull you in (to the helicopter) if I get a Bandeirante endorsement...". The reply allegedly was "..I've lost one of my boots; if you dive down and find it, you can have a Bandeirante endorsement.."
I think the boot is still at the bottom of the Huon Gulf.
Believe Bronte is now in Canberra "between opportunities".