I was working in the tower at Williamtown when Gary Cooper landed at Hexham. His take-off was normal. He left the tower frequency but didn't call up Approach so I guess he lost power as he changed frequencies. The old dirt runway at Hexham must have just about been on his nose as he took off. He was a superb pilot and it was a brilliant bit of flying despite the reprimand. I seem to recall that he already had some considerable experience flying Beavers in the Antarctic.