Is Ken Wallis the oldest UK pilot

[Old Pilot]

I had a few cups of tea with Ken Wallis at Shipdam today.

As he discussed a magneto that has given up after 50 years with engineer Mike Sims we engaged in the past.

"When did you last fly? " I asked this 93 year old pilot.

"I took one of my autogyros around the coast this morning" he replied.

We had a nice afternoon.

Ken says he never had a Bond movie credit for the 7.5 minute scene that was shot in Japan and Spain.

Is this true that Eon never credited him?


So is Ken the oldest active pilot in the UK?

[Chilli Monster]

Ken says he never had a Bond movie credit for the 7.5 minute scene that was shot in Japan and Spain.

Is this true that Eon never credited him?

According to IMDB it's true: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0909250/

[Old Pilot]

Thanks Chilli..

I'm sorting out the credit...he deserves it.

Ken told me that during the Japanese shoot one of the camaramen lost a leg when two
helicopters colided.

Is this true?

[Pete S]

When Old Buck organised a visit to Ken Wallis at Reymerston Hall a couple of years ago he pulled one of his autogyros out of his workshop to give us a demo: It wouldn't start so he shoved it back and got out another one which did.

We followed him up the lane to his field where he took off and gave us an amazing impromptu display.

And the Bond film Little Nellie is housed in a couple of large suitcases in his hallway...........

Remarkable man - a real giant in aviation.

Peter

[Pete S]

Ken told me that during the Japanese shoot one of the camaramen lost a leg when two
helicopters colided.

Is this true?

That's what he told us at the visit.

Peter

[low&slow]

Thanks Chilli..

I'm sorting out the credit...he deserves it.

Ken told me that during the Japanese shoot one of the camaramen lost a leg when two
helicopters colided.

Is this true?

IMDB to the rescue again

[Old Pilot]

And the Bond film Little Nellie is housed in a couple of large suitcases in his hallway

The truth is there were four boxes in the movie. He claims he gave them a load of bits for the Shepperton shoot where Q opens Little Nellie. A few years later he asked for the parts back. They returned them and the four boxes used in the movie which he still has.

[Paul_Sengupta]

I spent half an hour talking to him at Waddington. Did you know he flew B36s on secondment to the US for a couple of years?

His father and uncle made one of the most advanced aircraft for its time in 1910.

[PupFlyer]

How old is Mr Houlder, the operator of Elstree? He might be a bit shy of Ken's years.

[ZOGman]

How old is Mr Houlder, the operator of Elstree? He might be a bit shy of Ken's years.

John Houlder is 93.
94 next February.

[jerz]

How old is Mr Houlder, the operator of Elstree? He might be a bit shy of Ken's years.

John Houlder is 93.
94 next February.

Our Mr.Houlder approximately a year or so ago, the CAA approached him to take away his licence on the pretext that he was now over 90 to which his reply was ... mutter, mutter something about age discrimination, then says

“Who old do I have to be to get it back”

He’s still flying his Red nosed Commander as Put/ s

[Old Pilot]

How old is Mr Houlder, the operator of Elstree? He might be a bit shy of Ken's years.

John Houlder is 93.
94 next February.

He’s still flying his Red nosed Commander as Put/ s

Ken flys solo as P1 because he does not need a CAA medical as the gyrocopters he flies are in the same class as microlights.

As such he must be the oldest P1 in the UK.

He tells a great story about how the CAA removed his licence some years ago and how he got it back. The guy who pulled it went to prison for 5 years on an unrelated matter
much to Kens delight.

[Paul_Sengupta]

He tells a great story about how the CAA removed his licence some years ago and how he got it back. The guy who pulled it went to prison for 5 years on an unrelated matter
much to Kens delight.

Perhaps he should have been background checked. Hmm, but that would have only shown up after his conviction...

(sorry to those who don't know the story, I won't repeat the hearsay I've heard!)

[Bill McCarthy]

Ken survived a fairly horrific autogyro crash due to engine failure at low level a couple of years ago, didn't he (YouTube)? I hope I'm still able to fly at his age - good on him.

[Old Pilot]

You have heard the story then Paul

Ken smiles when he tells it.

I first met him about 15 years ago when flying overhead Reymerston Hall we decided to drop in unannounced.(helicopter)

We were met with a warm handshake and a full tour of his collection.

One of the nicest people in aviation I have ever had the pleasure to meet.