About the Author

Wing Commander VIC HODGKINSON DFC served throughout the Second World War as a pilot in the Royal Australian Air Force. He lived his life fascinated by aviation, an interest that started when, living in Australia, he watched the biplanes that used a nearby crossroads as a guide to the local aerodrome. Determined to fly, Vic, the son of a signwriter, joined the RAAF as a storekeeper in 1937. He then trained to be a pilot, gaining his coveted Wings' before the outbreak of war. In the post-war years, Vic enjoyed a lengthy and enjoyable career as a pilot for BOAC. It was in the 1970s that he wrote about his RAAF training and wartime flying experiences. He passed away in 2010.