Col wasn't a WW2 vet but he did a helluva lot to keep the warbirds flying and show us the types of planes we'd only have otherwise read about. He was a cropduster pilot from Scone NSW and died doing what he loved, pioneering new techniques for water scooping to use against bushfires when something went wrong and he crashed into Lake Liddell, between Singleton NSW and Muswellbrook NSW. His plane and body were recovered by emergency services watching him show the tecnique. Ambulance swam out to try and save him but to no avail. He restored and flew P51D, Spitfire MkIX and a P40E and thrilled and delighted crowds at air shows as he put them through their paces and flew them as they should be flown. I had the honour to have met him on a few occasions as a past Hon Sec of local Aero Club when we asked him to bring his Mustang which he was too happy to do and also socially through other ag pilot friends. Col was 75y.o with over 50 years flying experience. He'll be sorely missed for his experience, dedication and sense of humour. Vale Col Pay :cry_smile:
Here's Col's Spit, now owned by the Temora Aviation Museum and in the colours of Bobby Gibbes. Supermarine Spitfire MK VIII
Eh, only one number off, Rod, so no worries! Didn't notice to be honest until you said. Was going to post his P-40 as well but ran out of time before going Chrissy shopping. Picked up my now framed Robert Taylor Desert Hawks of four 3 Sqn RAAF Kittyhawks, the "closest" being Bobby Gibbes' aircraft which is what Col Pay's P-40 now represents! Will post some pics of the print on another thread. bobby and col with kittyhawk Lake searched for crash pilot - National - smh.com.au
Truly sad news. I first met Col as a boy with my Dad and then later in life I would drop into Scone on my student pilot Navs before doing the same as an young instructor climbing the greasy aviation pole. My overwhelming memory is a man of modesty with time for young blokes like me with stars in their eyes. We must have been a real inconvenience to the operation at Scone; sniffing around the hangar for the various machines that passed through the doors. Spitfire, Mustang, Bird Dog, Kittyhawk, etc, etc. Yet he always took the time to stop and say g'day. Clear skies Col. Owen View attachment 962
