Fleet Air Arm
Association of Australia
Fly Boy,
by Geoff Litchfield
11 December 2005
The Sea Venom impacted the lip of the runway, wiping off its undercarriage, slid along the runway on its belly and burst into flames.
Kevin abandoned the aircraft safley, only to realise that 'Soapy' was still in the cockpit, unable to free himself from harness and parachute straps and in very real real danger of being burnt alive.
Sprinting back to the aircraft, Kevin managed to extricate 'Soapy', but not before they both suffered burns to their bodies, 'Soapy's' being near fatal.
An extract from Fly Boy, a 278 page memoir of Fleet Air Arm Association member Geoff Litchfield, and a recollection which is not untypical of the thoughts gathered from his aviation career spanning 37 years.
For the author, the book has been a labour of love, and one which did not 'just happen'. Geoff spent 5 years drawing together his memories and quizzing his fellow members of the Fleet Air Arm for their recollections before publishing his book.
It has been well received by the aviation community - "ripper yarn", "well written and oh, so interesting", "I could not put it down until I read the lot", "it is just a terrific read, congratulations" are some of the comments that have come from readers.
Attracted by the exciting evolution of aircraft development during and after the Second World War, Geoff joined the Fleet Air Arm in 1952.
Flying training with the RAAF, Royal Navy, RAF and RAN exposed him to nine aircraft types, including the Supermarine Seafire and Hawker Sea Fury. Conversion to de Havilland Vampire, Sea Venom and Gloster Meteor ensued.
The peaceful interlude between conflicts in Korea and Vietnam failed to arrest a string of mishaps, as 22 of his compatriots lost their lives.
Surviving 350 day and night deck landings, 205 catapult launches, and operating from carriers HMS Illustrious and Bulwark and HMAS Sydney and Melbourne, as a fighter pilot, disaster was ever a hairsbreadth away.
Political decision forced a career re-assessment in 1960 and Geoff joined the ranks of Trans Australia Airlines. Nearly 30 years of airline flying followed, in DC-3s, F-27s, Lockheed Electras, DC-9s, B727s and finally Airbus A-300s.
An early retirement resulted from the 1989 airline dispute.
But he maintains an active interest in aviation to this day, through his involvement with the Fleet Air Arm Association.
He put together Fly Boy not just to record something of his personal history for his children, but also to help fill a gap in the historical records of the RAN FAA.
In the past, these records had concentrated on conflicts, ships, aircraft and shore establishments, to the detriment of the people involved. Fly Boy introduces quite a few of the characters of the 1952-60 era. The same applies to Geoff's recount of his time with TAA.
Apart from recording some of the colourful highlights of his flying career, the book also has some 123 photos, including some in colour.
The book makes for fascinating reading, and an ideal addition to the library of anyone with aviation interests.
It is available from a number of aviation outlets and bookshops in most States, or direct from the author. Bought direct, the cost to FAA personnel is $25, plus $8.60 packaging and postage (for up to 3 copies).
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