Fred Blake

[Stationair8]

Long time Piper dealer for Victoria during the 1970's and early 1980's and also passionate member of the Comanche society. In a recent dixcussion with a long time GA man, he told me that Fred a been a bomber pilot during WW2, anyone have any information on this?

[Seagull V]

Fred Blake DFC

Service Record
Name (http://www.ww2roll.gov.au/About.aspx#name)
BLAKE, FREDERICK WILLIAM
Service (http://www.ww2roll.gov.au/About.aspx#service)
Royal Australian Air Force
Service Number (http://www.ww2roll.gov.au/About.aspx#servicenumber)
415499
Date of Birth (http://www.ww2roll.gov.au/About.aspx#dateofbirth)
17 Mar 1923
Place of Birth (http://www.ww2roll.gov.au/About.aspx#placeofbirth)
GUILDFORD, WA
Date of Enlistment (http://www.ww2roll.gov.au/About.aspx#dateofenlistment)
9 Nov 1941
Place of Enlistment (http://www.ww2roll.gov.au/About.aspx#placeofenlistment)
PERTH, WA
Date of Discharge (http://www.ww2roll.gov.au/About.aspx#dateofdischarge)
18 Mar 1946
Rank (http://www.ww2roll.gov.au/About.aspx#rank)
Flight Lieutenant
Posting at Discharge (http://www.ww2roll.gov.au/About.aspx#unit)
466 Squadron
WW2 Honours and Gallantry (http://www.ww2roll.gov.au/About.aspx#honourgallantry)
Distinguished Flying Cross

[Brian Abraham]

Squadron had Wellingtons, then Halifax, and just after the war ended Liberators.

[6317alan]

Fred Blake in the early 80's was the Victorian Piper Dealer & also ran Flinders Island Airways. He was an ardent supporter of general aviation in the real sense! He served as President of the then General Aviation Association with distinction! I was proud to have called him my friend.

[CHAIRMAN]

The Redcliffe Aero Club bought a Cherokee 180 off him (used) in the mid 70's.
'Fred Blake Aircraft Sales' sticker on the side.
Had no idea of his history at the time.
Thanks Seagull for your update.

[glen beard]

It's a pity that guys like Fred Blake and Cliff Brown are no longer around.both were as tough as nails but called a spade a spade.

Glen Beard

[Wallsofchina]

He did Glen, and was a nice guy too, prepared to spend time working out your needs.

[thorn bird]

Sorry guys, Fred didnt call a spade a spade..he called it a F...kin shovel!!
Great man sorely missed.

[Best Rate]

Fred gave me a few aircraft ferries in the early 90's before he sadly departed for a bigger gig in the sky.

I used to enjoy popping into his office to say g'day while I was instructing nearby and he even let me get my grubby paws on some classic old colour Piper brochures. :8

He had some stories (accounts) in him but now I feel a litte flat finding out that he earned a DFC and I hadn't been aware and able to ask him about that part of his life.

Cheers to Fred and co,

Best Rate

[Stan van de Wiel]

President of the General Aviation Association

I believe Fred was instrumental in setting up GAA and the driving force behind it. Whatever happened to GAA if GA ever needed it would certainly be a good time now.
What's that expression?
Divided we fall ......

A great man especially to this industry.