Across Generations.

I remember that my school song started with, “Across the years from when John Wesley rode…” This past weekend I had cause to reflect across the years for a very different reason and any attempt to sing about it would have been drowned out by the sound of roaring Merlin engines.

Of the more than 100 aircraft types that my father flew, one was a standout favourite – the Mustang. When he retired from the Air Ambulance and commercial flying he had flown aircraft ranging from Tiger Moths to Meteor jets, Super Constellations to Wirraways. Still, his retirement gift was a painting of a Mustang.

As a lad, my dad flew civilian Mustangs in the 1960s, towing targets for the Army and Navy to shoot at. (One of those aircraft was actually on display at the same air show. VH-BOZ) I was fortunate enough to be seated in those aircraft and as a child moved the controls about, dreaming of flying myself one day.

At the “Wings Over Shellharbour” airshow my son was lucky enough to sit in the Mustang, thanks to my mate Dan from 100 Squadron RAAF. Seeing my son seated in this mighty warhorse and his grandfather’s favourite steed, I couldn’t help but be a little disappointed that my dad didn’t live to see this day.

Three generations – three Mustangs.