Discussion
I've just started reading Rowland White's book about Harriers in the Falklands. So far it seem just as good as his previous books, Vulcan 607 ETC.
But one section intrigued me. It refers to a Harrier pilot called Dave Austin who was trained by the RAF but '...his career in a light blue uniform was not destined to be long and happy, After a premature parting of the ways with the Air Force, he'd arrived in Yeovilton (as a civilian contractor)....'
Anyone know the story here? Why did he leave the RAF?
But one section intrigued me. It refers to a Harrier pilot called Dave Austin who was trained by the RAF but '...his career in a light blue uniform was not destined to be long and happy, After a premature parting of the ways with the Air Force, he'd arrived in Yeovilton (as a civilian contractor)....'
Anyone know the story here? Why did he leave the RAF?
I remember Dave Brathwaite from my 899/800 Squadron days. He was RNVR then, but a really nice bloke. Also had to guard a hunter he crashed into a dung heap, thankfully after he had ejected.
Dave Morgan saw the light after the Falklands and transferred from the RAF to the FAA. He was on 800 when I was with the squadron. Perhaps he is the one Rowland is talking about.
Dave Morgan saw the light after the Falklands and transferred from the RAF to the FAA. He was on 800 when I was with the squadron. Perhaps he is the one Rowland is talking about.
Shar2 said:
Dave Morgan saw the light after the Falklands and transferred from the RAF to the FAA. He was on 800 when I was with the squadron. Perhaps he is the one Rowland is talking about.
No, Roland meant Dave Austin.The initial 8 pilots when 809 was reformed in April '82 was, Lt.Cmdr Tim Gedge, Lt.Cmdr Hugh Slade, Lt.Cmdr Dave Braithwaite, Lt.Cmdr Alasdair Craig, Lt.Bill Covington, Lt.Dave Austin, Flt.Lt Steve Brown & Flt.Lt John Leeming.
aeropilot said:
No, Roland meant Dave Austin.
The initial 8 pilots when 809 was reformed in April '82 was, Lt.Cmdr Tim Gedge, Lt.Cmdr Hugh Slade, Lt.Cmdr Dave Braithwaite, Lt.Cmdr Alasdair Craig, Lt.Bill Covington, Lt.Dave Austin, Flt.Lt Steve Brown & Flt.Lt John Leeming.
Got it, thanks. Haven't read the book and didn't know all the pilots names.The initial 8 pilots when 809 was reformed in April '82 was, Lt.Cmdr Tim Gedge, Lt.Cmdr Hugh Slade, Lt.Cmdr Dave Braithwaite, Lt.Cmdr Alasdair Craig, Lt.Bill Covington, Lt.Dave Austin, Flt.Lt Steve Brown & Flt.Lt John Leeming.
I've had this book approx' 18 months - I bought a 'proof edition' (think it is called) from a charity shop, before the book was officially released.
At the time I was working with an ex Typhoon pilot and I was a bit star-struck, including at how nice a bloke he was, no ego, very modest.
Over Xmas 2021 I read 'Tail Gunner' which is one of the best books I've ever read, and now 'Bomber Boys'.
Some of the egos I see on here (in other sections) are pitiful...squabbling like silly children about Lewis Hamilton, or McLaren road car buying criteria...
Anyway, I'll try and read 'Harrier 809' next.
Thank you.
At the time I was working with an ex Typhoon pilot and I was a bit star-struck, including at how nice a bloke he was, no ego, very modest.
Over Xmas 2021 I read 'Tail Gunner' which is one of the best books I've ever read, and now 'Bomber Boys'.
Some of the egos I see on here (in other sections) are pitiful...squabbling like silly children about Lewis Hamilton, or McLaren road car buying criteria...
Anyway, I'll try and read 'Harrier 809' next.
Thank you.
Shar2 said:
Dave Morgan saw the light after the Falklands and transferred from the RAF to the FAA. He was on 800 when I was with the squadron. Perhaps he is the one Rowland is talking about.
IIRC, Dave Morgan’s career was even more interesting than that, I think he was originally in the RN but failed hello flying training so left and joined the RAF where he did qualify as a helicopter pilot. After a while he was selected for fixed wing conversion and flew Harrier GR3s before being seconded to the FAA to fly the Sea Harrier. After the Falklands ISTR that his promotion to Sqn Ldr was delayed or not happening or something, so the RN offered him a transfer with immediate rank of Lt Cdr and he took it. He was an instructor in 899 when I was there as a WL Tiff in 87/88.David Austin was on 1F squadron when I met him at RAF Wittering.
I was married.
We had an affair and it didn’t go down to well with the RAF.
He was given an ultimatum - Me or the RAF. He chose me and we married.
He worked as a civilian pilot at RNAS Yeovilton for a few months before being approached to join the RN as they had just started flying the Sea Harrier. He went on to be the Sea Harrier Display pilot for two years and also worked along with Singer Link-Miles in developing the Sea Harrier simulator.
We went on to have two children (now in their 40’s)
After completing his time in the RN he worked for British Aerospace in U.K. and Saudi Arabia instructing on Hawks.
Finally flying for Britannia Airways before retiring from aviation.
I hope this clears up the mystery for you.
HillaryDH said:
David Austin was on 1F squadron when I met him at RAF Wittering.
I was married.
We had an affair and it didn’t go down to well with the RAF.
He was given an ultimatum - Me or the RAF. He chose me and we married.
He worked as a civilian pilot at RNAS Yeovilton for a few months before being approached to join the RN as they had just started flying the Sea Harrier. He went on to be the Sea Harrier Display pilot for two years and also worked along with Singer Link-Miles in developing the Sea Harrier simulator.
We went on to have two children (now in their 40’s)
After completing his time in the RN he worked for British Aerospace in U.K. and Saudi Arabia instructing on Hawks.
Finally flying for Britannia Airways before retiring from aviation.
I hope this clears up the mystery for you.
This has to be the best ever first (and possibly, only) post ever on PH.I was married.
We had an affair and it didn’t go down to well with the RAF.
He was given an ultimatum - Me or the RAF. He chose me and we married.
He worked as a civilian pilot at RNAS Yeovilton for a few months before being approached to join the RN as they had just started flying the Sea Harrier. He went on to be the Sea Harrier Display pilot for two years and also worked along with Singer Link-Miles in developing the Sea Harrier simulator.
We went on to have two children (now in their 40’s)
After completing his time in the RN he worked for British Aerospace in U.K. and Saudi Arabia instructing on Hawks.
Finally flying for Britannia Airways before retiring from aviation.
I hope this clears up the mystery for you.
And thank you for posting and answering the initial poster's question.
andy97 said:
Shar2 said:
Dave Morgan saw the light after the Falklands and transferred from the RAF to the FAA. He was on 800 when I was with the squadron. Perhaps he is the one Rowland is talking about.
IIRC, Dave Morgan’s career was even more interesting than that, I think he was originally in the RN but failed hello flying training so left and joined the RAF where he did qualify as a helicopter pilot. After a while he was selected for fixed wing conversion and flew Harrier GR3s before being seconded to the FAA to fly the Sea Harrier. After the Falklands ISTR that his promotion to Sqn Ldr was delayed or not happening or something, so the RN offered him a transfer with immediate rank of Lt Cdr and he took it. He was an instructor in 899 when I was there as a WL Tiff in 87/88.dukeboy749r said:
HillaryDH said:
David Austin was on 1F squadron when I met him at RAF Wittering.
I was married.
We had an affair and it didn’t go down to well with the RAF.
He was given an ultimatum - Me or the RAF. He chose me and we married.
He worked as a civilian pilot at RNAS Yeovilton for a few months before being approached to join the RN as they had just started flying the Sea Harrier. He went on to be the Sea Harrier Display pilot for two years and also worked along with Singer Link-Miles in developing the Sea Harrier simulator.
We went on to have two children (now in their 40’s)
After completing his time in the RN he worked for British Aerospace in U.K. and Saudi Arabia instructing on Hawks.
Finally flying for Britannia Airways before retiring from aviation.
I hope this clears up the mystery for you.
This has to be the best ever first (and possibly, only) post ever on PH.I was married.
We had an affair and it didn’t go down to well with the RAF.
He was given an ultimatum - Me or the RAF. He chose me and we married.
He worked as a civilian pilot at RNAS Yeovilton for a few months before being approached to join the RN as they had just started flying the Sea Harrier. He went on to be the Sea Harrier Display pilot for two years and also worked along with Singer Link-Miles in developing the Sea Harrier simulator.
We went on to have two children (now in their 40’s)
After completing his time in the RN he worked for British Aerospace in U.K. and Saudi Arabia instructing on Hawks.
Finally flying for Britannia Airways before retiring from aviation.
I hope this clears up the mystery for you.
And thank you for posting and answering the initial poster's question.
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