Al, what a great idea, especially with the added advice from others. PPRuNe at its best! cliffnemo and Icare9 both are spot on the money. The stories that Cliff, Reg and others enthrall us with on this forum always result in pleas for more of the same. Please try to persuade John to contribute his recollections if only by proxy. As someone who:
always hated Rockapes because one stole his push bike in 40-something
he is obviously a man of discernment and principle!
In all seriousness though we owe him and his colleagues our very freedom. I salute them all!