Eric the Lifesaver

I said I’d tell you how Eric saved my life.

It was late afternoon. I had just returned from a few days in Westminster, in the Free State, trying to sell a Tri-Pacer to a farmer. That is an amazing story in itself—mainly because I actually succeeded. This was not through any ability of my own, but due to the incredible strength of that ugly little aeroplane. I’ll tell you about it later.

When I landed back at headquarters, just as the sun was setting, I was amazed to see the hangar lit up like a Christmas tree.

There were strings of coloured lights and balloons everywhere. Around the walls there were tables decked with white linen, champagne glasses, and mountains of food. At the back there was a well-stocked bar.

And, in the centre of the hangar, lit up by spotlights, stood the sleekest and most magnificent aeroplane in the world. It was the first Twin Comanche in Africa, and it had been flown in a few days earlier by the great Max Conrad, setter of many world endurance and distance records in Piper aircraft.

It was to be a spectacular flag-waving event for Placo and Piper. The Mayor of Pretoria was the guest of honour. Important people would make speeches and it would be in all the newspapers. It would also make headlines in South Africa’s only flying magazine, Wings over Africa, whose editor, John Chilwell, owned a Tri-Pacer and was a big Piper fan.

Anyhow, I was on the apron, admiring the presentation, when Mr Piet, the big boss, walked over.

“Get zose bastards out of my hangar,” he said.

At first, the words meant nothing to me. I thought he was talking to some unseen bystander lurking in the shadows. When the penny dropped, I realized he was referring to three unshaven guys in leather jackets, who were standing around the bar, having a quiet drink and enjoying the snacks.

I was mystified. “Do you mean I should ask them to leave?”

“Zat bloody murderer is not bringing his gangsters to drink my fucking hooch.”

“Murderer?”

“Johnny Wilkinson.”

“He’s a murderer?”

“Sure he is. Now get ze bastards out.”

In those days murder was still considered a fairly serious offence in South Africa. As Wilkinson had kicked one of his mates to death while attending a jolly motorcycle jamboree, I naturally felt a certain reluctance to break up his little get-together.

While gathering my thoughts, I remembered that Eric, who had been a Rhodesian middle-weight boxing champion, lived on the airfield.

I legged it round to his residence and battered frantically on the door. “Eric, Johnny Wilkinson and a couple of his buddies are drinking Mr Piet’s champers and he wants you to get them out of his hangar.” I lied.

“No sweat,” said Eric, dabbing on the last few drops of after-shave and straightening his tie.

We headed for the hangar in the fading light, me lagging a couple of steps behind. As we got there, Eric said, “Leave this to me.”

I assured him I would try to hold myself back from getting involved in the forthcoming interview. In fact, it would be a huge pleasure. I watched from the shadows as he strode into the hangar and straight up to the murderer and his cohorts.

Eric spoke earnestly to him for a few minutes, and then the three thugs departed the scene. I was astounded.

“What the hell did you say to them?” I asked.

“I told Johnny we were expecting some rough elements to gate-crash the celebrations, and I employed him as our chucker-outer.”

His first act was to boot out his two mates. He then disappeared for a short while. When he returned, he was all spruced up and shaved. He was also wearing an immaculate black-and-white penguin suit, which Eric had loaned him.

He behaved impeccably all evening and apparently concluded a couple of mutually rewarding deals with Eric.

What a loveable villain he was. He died in the USA in 2009 at the age of 77.

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Jim Davis

Jim Davis is a passionate flying instructor and flight safety fanatic. He started at the RAF College Cranwell, England, and earned his Instructor Rating in South Africa. He has been training civil and military pilots for 50 years and has over 15,000 hand-flown hours. He founded 43 Air School, the first full-time, live-in flying school in Africa.

Jim's other passion is writing, which he studied for five years at Rhodes University, SA (BA), and Curtin University, Australia (MA). He has authored two international best-sellers: PPL, a standard text in Australia and SA, and Flight Tests, which has helped thousands pass their reviews worldwide. Jim has also written more than 1000 articles for flying magazines.

Jim loves Harleys, horses and cats.

All his flying books are available at www.jimdavis.co.za and at https://www.pilottrain.com.au

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