I had nothing professionally to do with the Herk fleet, apart from a single trip down the back from Boscombe to Gib - and, of course, thoroughly enjoying this thread..
I did. however, know flip flop as I was a junior member of the Yak 52 syndicate that he also belonged to when he had his accident.
That was 11 August 2001, from memory, and it doesn't seem that long ago somehow. As those who knew him better than I have already said, he was a fabulous bloke, with enormous enthusiasm for life and for flying. He seemed to just love negative g for some reason, and it was a massive blow when I heard the news that day; I'd flown with him less than a week previously and by example he taught me a lot in half an hour. Vale, Chris.