View Full Version : Paddy SHORTHOUSE car accident
WALLEY2
10th Jan 2007, 01:14
To those who knew Paddy, I reget to advise he and Beth were killed in a car accident in south west WA.
A true gentlmen and aviator, what more can I say, RIP.
Mike Caplehorn
OVERTALK
10th Jan 2007, 06:53
Same PS as was RAF exchange on the Neptune SP2H in TVL?
Very sad news ideed.
A lovely guy with a fantastic sense of humour, as well as being a real gentleman. I will miss the telling of your "war" stories Paddy, particularly when they were related over a few beers. You often brought tears to my eyes with some of your stories and you certainly made a difference to the GA industry in WA.
We have all lost a true friend and aviator.
Fly freely forever, friend.
WALLEY2
11th Jan 2007, 00:46
Overtalk, yes the one and only.
Centaurus
11th Jan 2007, 02:18
What dreadful news. Paddy and I had many a pleasnt beer after work at DCA 188 Queen Street. A sad demise indeed.
Spodman
12th Jan 2007, 00:12
Paddy once had my (nervous flyer) wife looking over his shoulder, they had her fascinated talking her through the descent, circuit and landing at Meeka in a blue canoo. On touchdown they got the aircraft sideways enough to alarm me, and a loud "sheeet" over the intercom had my wife nervous again.
Horrible news and my condolences to any that remain.
OverRun
12th Jan 2007, 01:15
Very sad news, and a loss of one of the great characters in aviation. He had an ability to bring common sense to a situation, which coupled with his gentle good humour, made his contributions that much stronger. My personal best memory of Paddy was his help in designing overflow parking at Learmonth for heavy jets which could be diverted there. The most attractive option allowed considerable extra parking but had tight clearances and only just met all the standards. Not the best for aircraft diverted after many hours of flight, taxying at an unfamilar airport in a remote area which is a real 'black hole' at night. The least attractive option had less parking but was simple and open. Rather than a long debate about the pros and cons of all the issues and standards, Paddy simply said 'sure and you've got to leave a little bit for God'. The simpler parking option was chosen.
John Botwood
12th Jan 2007, 05:09
I heard the news via mail from places as far apart as Auckland and London.
I first met the dear lad on Lancasters. On my 3rd training trip, after taxying to dispersal and parking, I was one of the first out. The groundcrew Chiefy said "Mr Shorthouse your pilot son?" I wondered how he knew until he took me round the front and showed the 13 seagulls in the 4 Merlins. Then I remembered the radar homing on a Cruise Liner that terminated in Paddy's call of "Look, popsies on the poop deck" followed by a lot of dull thuds. A practical demonstration of the fact that seagulls can always be found around the stern of a ship within 100nms of land.
Many more stories were stored after that.
When I started an Association to maintain the memory of the Lancaster's grandson/daughter, he was one of the first to join in 1987. Over the years he has been a friend to me, exactly as described by others in this thread.
Two lovely lights have left the world.
JohnB