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Letter from Bob Willis
Iam keeping myself busy by researching material for a book I am starting to write.Just to give you a flavour of its theme, it is NOT a history of UK independent aviation, but a tale of my 40 years in British Civil Aviation and the people and airlines that I have worked with, a few stories that I will be allowed to publish, a few I might not, some of the big events that will be remembered by all who were around at the time.

I am making huge efforts to ensure that it is historically correct {eg dates, people involved, places etc,) and to that end I am contacting various people to ensure I have got my facts right, and maybe unearth forgotten gems, cock-ups, achievements etc.

Right now, need to get hold of the following, if you can help: Brian Hare, Steve Woods, and Vic Sheppard.

And I would like to hear from Cabin Crew and Pilots Engineering and Traffic, especially at LGW/MAN/ABZ/TXL and LTN, but anyone is welcome if they have a typical Dan story!.

If anyone has photographs which might fit the bill, I would be very grateful if a scanned copy could be sent to me at RAGWillis@tiscali.co.uk but for a publisher there is a strict protocol, so email me first and I can give you the instructions!

I am covering the following periods:

  • 1969-1971 LTN and LGW
  • 1972-89 LGW especially, but also LTN, TXL and MAN
  • 1977-79 ABZ
  • 1979-89 LGW and other bases.

The book will be over 50% Dan, then other airlines I worked for (In order, Air Europe 1990-1991 – Inter European Airlines (CWL 1991-Oct 1994) Airtours International (Nov 1994-1995)

Airworld (1994-1998) which became Thomas Cook 1998-2008, including the mergers with Flying Colours and Caledonian.

I am particularly anxious to hear from people who worked for more than one airline, to see how people moved from one airline to another and survived a bad experience (bust or take-over) This most definitely includes those who worked for airlines like Channel, Court-Line, Laker, Air Europe, Orion, Excalibur, TEA UK, BIA etc etc..... and people who worked for Airtours and Caledonian after Dan.

People, Stories and Pictures.....Nightmares...etc

Cheers, and thanks for reading this!

Bob