A bit to add on VVs, in this case the RAAF, target towing at Tocumwal, and on the colour vision discussed a month or two back.
There are buried in the cemetery at TOC two pilots who died in the crash of their VV in 1944. The story is told by a veteran of that time that the two deceased were the perpetrators of sabotage that was going on round the base in the dead of night. Instead of being arrested, the CO of the base hatched a little plan about which he said not a word to a soul.
He ordered a gunnery exercise in which he alone would practice on the drogue towed by the pilots he knew were guilty as all get out.
How he managed to report the crash of the VV without implicating himself
in any way remains a mystery, although as ever various theories are advanced.
Colour vision - Maurice Brearley was a son of pioneer West Australian airman Norman Brearley. Maurice was an aeronautical
engineering graduate who went to enlist in the RAAF as a pilot in 1942. He failed the Ishihara colour vision test.
What he did to get round that little hurdle was to memorize all the plates in the book then re-enlist under an assumed name.
He passed his medical and a year later passed out at the wings parade at Narrandera EFTS. Maurice had not been in touch with his family for the past year or so. They were worried of course about his silence having no idea where he was or what he was doing. Who should take the passing out parade but his dad, Group Captain Norman Brearley. Pinning on his son's wings, the father muttered, 'I get the picture now son. But your mother, she's been worried sick'.
from connectweb.com -
Mini bio: former Pilot and Professor Emeritus remembered Lana Wilson / May 31, 2013
Who’s Who in Australia is deeply saddened to learn the passing of Professor Emeritus Maurice Brearley.
Born to Fly: The Story of Wayne Blackmore' by Maurice Brearley
Maurice Norman Brearley was best known in the Australian education spheres for his academic work as Emeritus Professor of Mathematics at The University of Melbourne.
Professor Brearley held the Emeritus position for more than 20 years, taking the role in 1985, following a long stint as a Professor of Mathematics with the University as well as the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Academy of Victoria that started in 1966.
Professor Emeritus Brearley began his career as a Pilot with the Royal Australian Air Force during the Second World War and shortly after became a Research Engineer with de Havilland Aircraft Company in the United Kingdom, before returning to Australia.
The Who’s Who in Australia entrant noted his recreations as piano and musical composition.
In 1981, he published a book ‘Born to Fly: The Story of Wayne Blackmore’.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Danny . . . .. . no idea whether Alex and Leigh Oxley (Laddy) Hindley are related. Stand by for what Laddy has to say.