WWII Bomber Pilot and Attitude

[swiftprop]

I have posted this here as well as on Avcom because we can all be inspired by this tremendous person living in Knysna. I recently attended the 90th birthday party of a close friend, Peter Tunstall, a WWII bomber pilot. Now this is a person with the right attitude! He has the dubious reputaion of being locked up in solitary confinement for a total of 415 days apparently the most of any of the Allied prisoners of war. (For escaping regularly and being a general pest to the Germans). When I asked him how he survived this he said that the regular airman escapees like him were eventually locked up in Colditz castle. Three thing happened to them: one lot committed suicide, one lot went nuts and the other survived. What was the secret, especially to surviving solitary confinement? Well he said it was simply having a sense of humour and a positive attitude. He also visualised a lot in solitary confinement: dreaming up exotic aircraft and destinations and flying all over.
Peter, who keeps physically fit through gardening still has a keen interest in flying. When taken for a flip last year at our local Highway breakfast fly in, the pilot, Roger, in the back seat said that he was sure Peter would be able to fly solo after just a few hours of instruction. (He had let him do some of the flying in the Cubby). What an amazing person. He went for a flight in a Whisper a few weeks ago and is looking forward to this year's fly in which is scheduled for Saturday 7 Feb.

[vernon11]

Good for him. He looks a young 90.

[ZULU1]

Brilliant, A few years back I had the honour of taking a Sunderland pilot for a flight around the Midlands area. What amazed him the most was not the flying, that was fine BUT the GPS. He was totally stunned by the device in all respects and realises what they could have used it for !! Take the opportunity and show the Gentleman. I am sure that he will be equally amazed.

Well done

Zulu1

[swiftprop]

Thanks for that Zulu 1. I did not think about it. Will do so! I wonder if anyone else on Microlighters has had experience of these WWII veterans with all their wisdom and tales?

[ZULU1]

I took the liberty to Google the Gentleman and found a pleasant revue on wikepedia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pete_Tunstall

We managed to obtain the log book(s) of the "Sunderland" pilot a Doctor from Ladysmith and were totally stunned, 9hrs ab initio and solo on a Tiger Moth. Then the encounters with U Boats and many other excursions. Amazing with "no shooting the line" just another days work. Hats off to these wonderful people.

Do us all a favour, see if you can sniff out his log book and see when he went solo ?? Maybe scan some details for the info..

Keep going

Zulu1

[swiftprop]

Peter showed me his log books some time ago. I will ask him for a photocopy of the relevant page. It is incredible spending time in his garden in summer or in front of a log fire in winter listening to his stories. Absolutely amazing. He also does not bear any apparent grudges. Another sign of a fantastic attitude.
What about some other old inspiring pilots or ex pilot stories?

[AndyG]

Can't believe that man is 90. Would love to hear some of his tales and see his logbook. Brilliant that he still has the passion for flying. I salute you Sir!!

[swiftprop]

I have copied this from my post on Avcom:

Peter is busy with his autobiography with cartoons and all but I don't know if he intends finishing it. Fortunately a BBC commentator made a set of 2 DVD's where Peter narrated all his stories so it won't get lost. I think these were just for private use but I will find out. I will also see what I can do about photos/cartoons.
I am absoluteley amazed at his knowledge of all things aeronautical up to a few years ago. He is however not too familiar with the profusion of recreational aircraft and modern glass cockpits. We arrange a flight whenever we can for him in one of these. Paulie also took him up in his Seneca. He says the bunch of pilots here have given him a new lease on life due to their kind heartedness and enthusiasm.
Kind regards
Andre

[Low Level]

9hrs ab initio and solo on a Tiger Moth.

I've seen a program on History channel, where one of these pilots said, they were told to take off and fly the plane, and some aerial manuevers for combat. There was no time for full training.If they were lucky enough to survive the battle, they were on their own to get the plane back on the ground.