Flt Lt David Morgan, Lt Cdr RN?
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Flt Lt David Morgan, Lt Cdr RN?
Am in the process of reading Flt Lt David Morgans book "Hostine Skies: My Falklands Air War" I'm sure its probably not likely to be as controversial as Sharky Wards book but might give the Hermes side of the conflict rather than the Invincible one.
I am a little puzzled by his rank(s) however..... He seems to be referring to himself as both Flt Lt, and Lt Cdr quite interchangeably?
So how does this work (maybe the book will tell me as I get through it, but I'm impatient...)? He started at Dartmouth rather than Cranwell, but was a Flt Lt through the war IIRC, and served in RAFG as an RAF harrier pilot. Hes in his RAF uniform at Buck House picking up his DSC, but then on the title page, refers to himself as Lt Cdr David Morgan DSC RN?
Anyone shed any light??
I am a little puzzled by his rank(s) however..... He seems to be referring to himself as both Flt Lt, and Lt Cdr quite interchangeably?
So how does this work (maybe the book will tell me as I get through it, but I'm impatient...)? He started at Dartmouth rather than Cranwell, but was a Flt Lt through the war IIRC, and served in RAFG as an RAF harrier pilot. Hes in his RAF uniform at Buck House picking up his DSC, but then on the title page, refers to himself as Lt Cdr David Morgan DSC RN?
Anyone shed any light??
Gentleman Aviator
I'm sure the book will explain all. IIRC DM was initially in the RN, but "did not complete" flying training. Subsequently joined the RAF initially as a helicopter pilot (which is where I knew him) and then as an RAF Harrier pilot, which is what he was in '82, when he got the DSC.
Subsequently joined the RN again and became a two-and-a-half ...
His initial move from the RN may have been connected with some open heart surgery he underwent ("hole-in-the-heart" I think) - some people do fit a lot into their lives!!. He certainly had an impressive "immersion suit zip" scar and used to do lots (maybe still does) for heart charities.
But I'm sure it's all in the book ........
Subsequently joined the RN again and became a two-and-a-half ...
His initial move from the RN may have been connected with some open heart surgery he underwent ("hole-in-the-heart" I think) - some people do fit a lot into their lives!!. He certainly had an impressive "immersion suit zip" scar and used to do lots (maybe still does) for heart charities.
But I'm sure it's all in the book ........
What an absolutely top bloke! Had the pleasure of meeting and interviewing him soon after the Malvinas unpleasantness, and a more modest, humorous, intelligent and energetically helpful Harrier mate you couldn't hope to meet. 
I held at RAFG Wildenrath in 1975 between my Gnat AFTS and Hunter refresher courses. My job was assisting Dave in the Harrier sites office - although I'd been sent there to assist with Open Day triv.
Top chap - very friendly and helpful and had a delightful family as well. He would indeed show off the scar when he'd had a Wobbly or few - but had the most fun whenever a new quack gave him the annual bollock-fondling as he would never mention the scar until the doc saw it!
Flew in the harsh NI SH environment, then got a recommendation for Harriers. I wasn't surprised at all to see him in clips of the Malvinas war.
How is he these days?
Top chap - very friendly and helpful and had a delightful family as well. He would indeed show off the scar when he'd had a Wobbly or few - but had the most fun whenever a new quack gave him the annual bollock-fondling as he would never mention the scar until the doc saw it!
Flew in the harsh NI SH environment, then got a recommendation for Harriers. I wasn't surprised at all to see him in clips of the Malvinas war.
How is he these days?
This sounds like the pilot interviewed on an old BBC Biggin Hill airshow programme, broadcasted in the late 1980s!
Is he a former SHAR Display Pilot?
If he was, then it would solve a riddle that has been bothering me for ages
Is he a former SHAR Display Pilot?
If he was, then it would solve a riddle that has been bothering me for ages
6Z3,
I should, perhaps, have said that I interviewed Dave Morgan after interviewing Sharkey Ward..... Now after Sharkey, perhaps Cassius Clay would have seemed retiring.
I should, perhaps, have said that I interviewed Dave Morgan after interviewing Sharkey Ward..... Now after Sharkey, perhaps Cassius Clay would have seemed retiring.
Dave is now a 747 pilot for Virgin. I did several trips with him when I worked for them. A very nice chap with lots of good bar stories. I had to put down Sharkey's book about a third of the way through - I just couldn't complete it. But I'm looking forward to reading Dave's.
Saw his last flypast of the Ark on 801 in 1987. I remember looking down on his aircraft from the Port Sponson and watching the rooster tail of water he left behind him! A very punchy group of men!
MOG spotted!
Guys, I am completely overwhelmed! To answer the Q's, I was chopped on Wessex 1's cos I was c**p at IF and scuttled accross to the RAF where I did a tour on Wx 2's before a grind tour in RAFG which led (after much bitching and moaning [and a mistress - read the book!]) to a GR3 conversion, tour at Gut and exchange to the RN. Flew SHAR Dine Sithe from Hermes and transferred to RN in 94. Displayed the SHAR for long enough to get at least 2 x AFC's but was satisfied with the free beer. Hit by pretty bad PTSD post Falklands but - hey! only way to keep a good man down is to offer him breakfast in the morning!
Now a born-again Virgin (much better the second time around) and Yak 50 displayer ( can't keep a good man etc) Absolutely amazed that chaps are being complimentary about me. Good job the ex hasn't discovered PPRUNE!
Tootle-pip,
Mog
Now a born-again Virgin (much better the second time around) and Yak 50 displayer ( can't keep a good man etc) Absolutely amazed that chaps are being complimentary about me. Good job the ex hasn't discovered PPRUNE!
Tootle-pip,
Mog
Hi Mog!
58 - you old buggah!
Thanks for the great holding posting at Harrier sites at Wildenrath - although you did go rather quiet when I suggested that German supermarkets and their car parks would make good emergency sites were Boris ever to come westwards....
Don't wish to comment on the mistress thing - but I did enjoy a very pleasant evening with you and your other half at the time!
Glad to hear that you're flying for the UK's flag carrier rather than with nigel.
PTSD wasn't that well understood at the time - as Jeff G would perhaps agree?
58 - you old buggah!
Thanks for the great holding posting at Harrier sites at Wildenrath - although you did go rather quiet when I suggested that German supermarkets and their car parks would make good emergency sites were Boris ever to come westwards....
Don't wish to comment on the mistress thing - but I did enjoy a very pleasant evening with you and your other half at the time!
Glad to hear that you're flying for the UK's flag carrier rather than with nigel.
PTSD wasn't that well understood at the time - as Jeff G would perhaps agree?
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Whilst I may dislike current foreign plicy, how happy would you have been fighting Zulu's for diamonds in the 1900's?
Armed forces get raped by every parliament that sits, get used to it.
Armed forces get raped by every parliament that sits, get used to it.
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Mr AFO
Not sure that ever happened...so...very happy..
tpm
Originally Posted by Mr-AEO
Whilst I may dislike current foreign plicy, how happy would you have been fighting Zulu's for diamonds in the 1900's.
tpm