“Only the aircrew saw the dangerous stuff,”
« Carl remains extremely proud of his air force career: “That’s what helped me grow from a boy to a man and also become a skilled engineer.” After discharge he worked for Airland, a company that operated several DC3 and Lodestar heavy topdressing aircraft and he recalls some ‘very interesting’ low level flying in large aircraft amongst the hills on post-servicing test flights! He retired from Airland aged 47 and furthered his sports interest by establishing an archery manufacturing business as well as taking up competitive shooting. This was an interest he formed during his air force sojourn where he once won medals as the top Bren-gun and rifle shooter at the Trentham Inter-Service competitions.
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Carl has also racked up nearly 500 parachute jumps plus bungee jumps off the Shotover River and Sky Tower. Since moving into the village with his wife of more than 50 years, Lyn, Carl has played an active part in Anzac Day commemorations. “I am happy that more and more young people are recognising the efforts of this country’s past service people. “Sadly, there will always be wars and the world will always need ‘policemen’. “On the day my reflections are often towards the majority of my 115-draft who are no longer with us.”