Posts: 32
Hi Neil,
Here are a couple from my Dad's log book from '59 / '60
The photo of the open canopy brought back a memory to me. During flying instructors course at RAAF Central Flying School in the mid-Fifties, each student was given one hour dual jet famil in a Vampire Mk 35.
In my case, I had already flown the single seat Vampires before the dual version was available but got a dual ride anyway. Radio went u/s taxiing out so we returned to the tarmac. The instructor (a squadron leader no less, while I was a lowly flight sergeant) taxiied in, stopped the aircraft and cut the engine and then raised the canopy.
I was about to haul myself up from the RH seat when the instructor kindly warned me to always check the open canopy was locked open before exiting.
I had never flown the type before so thanked him graciously and waited for him to undo all his leads etc and climb out first. Age before beauty. He had just got both silk gloved hands on the window front frame to lever himself up from his seat when the canopy fell forward on his fingers.
With a frightful oath he shook his injured hand and said something that sounded like "Schiessenhausen" He was an Australian but talked posh.
I was highly impressed and said "Jeez Sir! - that was a bloody good demonstration".
"That's not funny, Flight Sergeant" was the griitted reply.
Turned out he had broken a few digits and for the next week or so walked around with his hand in a sling. Awfully nice chap, though.