Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS
Guest: Flight Lieutenant Alan Ross Boyens, RAF (Retired)
Hosts: Dave Homewood
Recorded: 27th of June 2023
Duration: 1 hour 5 minutes, 30 seconds
In this episode Dave Homewood talks with Ross Boyens, a New Zealander who joined the Royal Air Force in 1972. Following his initial officer training at Wigram with the RNZAF, he then went off to Britain for his RAF pilot training. Ross ended up flying Hawker Harrier jump jets, and had just left a Harrier squadron to become an instructor when the Falklands War began. He was called back into No. 1 Squadron RAF and was tasked to ferry a Harrier down to the ship Atlantic Conveyer, and then began operations.
Ross talks about his part in the later battles for the war, and operating the Harrier in the extreme conditions of the South Atlantic.
As well as the Harrier operations, Alan talks about his two years with the RAF’s Red Arrows aerobatic team, and his postwar career flying Boeing 747s for Cathay Pacific, and a private jet for a Middle East shiek. He also talks about being shot down buy his own round, and having to eject.
NB: The pilot that Ross was trying to recall the name of, and thought might have been Robin Taylor, was in fact Alan Curtis. who had previously served with the RNZAF.
NBB: The aircraft Sir Ken Hayr was following was a Sea Vixen, rather than a Meteor, when he was sadly killed.
The New Zealanders who’ve served in the Red Arrows include:
Ray Hanna
Ian Dick
Euan Perreaux (Killed in Red Arrows collision, 20 January 1971)
Ross Boyens
Andrew “Boomer” Keith
Simon “Kermit” Rea
James McMillan
This episode also includes a short promotion from Mel Salisbury of Aviation Tours NZ, who are a supporter and sponsor of the Wings Over Britain series.
Thanks also to Kieran Lear for his help in making this episode.
Note: The music in this episode is I Vow To Thee My Country by Gustav Holst.
Thank you , enjoyed the episode
Sue
Another very enjoyable episode Dave.
[…] be the last of the big museums for my trip. Three episodes have already been edited and released. WONZ 276 – Wings Over Britain: Ross Boyens In Ross’s logbook from his ejection. (Photo Ross Boyens […]
I was an armourer on 1(F) Sqn and remember Ross well for his great sense of humour during Tacevals APC’s etc. Def one of the good guys on the squadron.
You are my cousin. I am the daughter of your mother’s sister. My mother was Betty Garroch and your mother was Olive.
Was that message for Ross? Because I know for a fact you are not my cousin.
Dave Homewood.
Ross Boyens would be one of the finest men I have ever been privileged to have met & flown with.