Al Taylor:  WIng Commander.  Flying is in his Blood.  

 

Al was born 1937 in Lithgow and grew up during WW2 years: Blackout curtains, gas bags on buses, coupons.   In 1942, he saw 4 x P-39 Air Cobras carried out mock attacks against the Lithgow Small Arms Factory.  He was five and very, very impressed.  Growing up he built and flew control line model aircraft and studied model radio controlled aircraft.    In 1952, Al had a Joy ride in a Tiger Moth.”

 

Al joined the RAAF in 1954 via the RAAF College.

 

By 1958, he joined No 22 City of Sydney Squadron operating Wirraway, Vampire and Meteor followed by a Sabre conversion and was then posted to Malaya.

 

In 1965, Al continued his fighter flying on Mirages.

 

In 1974, Al had progressed to be 77 Squadron Operations Officer and then 77 Squadron Commanding Officer.  This culminated in him leading the Mirage display team.

 

In, 1981  He retired and joined civilian Aerospace contractors.

Al then bought a powered hang glider and attempted to fly around Australia for Fred Hollows Foundation.

 

He followed this with more fun and games on Model radio controlled aircraft together with Flight simulation on computers linked with pilots around the world:  Spitfires in a Battle of Britain scenario, F/A18 from carriers and UH-1H in a Middle East scenario

 

All good stuff.