Half a Century in Uniform ~ a book about The Life Story of Group Captain O.D. Penton OLM AFC and how he helped form the Rhodesian Air Force includes Spitfire and Cessna Skymaster Ferries across Africa
This is the life story of Ossie Penton, who has been described as a "Journeyman Pilot." When I started preparing the manuscript I was told by him that he did not "really have a story to tell, I am not an "ace of the base" like Douglas Bader or Neville Duke. To me most of war was like a Cook's Tour.
This is the man who flew 114 missions over Malta, the Adriatic, Albania and Italy. He earned his wings with the South African Air Force and then went "Up North" attached to the RAF and flew with the Desert Air Force over the Italian War Theatre.
In his log one comment epitomised the man. He wrote it after he landed from a ground strafing mission in Albania with several bullet holes in his plane. It read: "Hit several times. The Big Twitch!"
When he finally returned to South Africa he could not leave flying alone and emigrated to the then Southern Rhodesia where he joined the Southern Rhodesia Auxiliary Air Force. With that force he took part in the longest ferry of Spitfires ever undertaken, setting the scene and providing the ground work for another ferry some 25 years later. This was the Ferry of 18 Cessna 337G (Skymaster ~ Milirole Ground Attack platform) aircraft from Rheims in France to Salisbury against United Nations sanctions. Both the Ferries are detailed in the book with the original logs from both recorded. The detailed account of how the Rhodesian Aircraft ferried the Skymaster code named the Lynx ~ the aircraft designed especially for operations in Viet Nam includes photographs only published in this book.
Ossie was a founder member of the Rhodesian Air Force and rose to high rank due to his unique personality and his ability as a leader as well as a pilot. He helped train several of the men who became Officers Commanding of the Air Force.
In addition to recording the story of a unique man the book also shows the political climate and events of a turbulent time in South Africa's and Rhodesia's (now Zimbabwe) history.
Ossie finally retired from flying in 1982 after serving with the fledgling Air Force of Zimbabwe. One of his students was at that time the Air Marshal in charge of the Air Force.
This is the man who flew 114 missions over Malta, the Adriatic, Albania and Italy. He earned his wings with the South African Air Force and then went "Up North" attached to the RAF and flew with the Desert Air Force over the Italian War Theatre.
In his log one comment epitomised the man. He wrote it after he landed from a ground strafing mission in Albania with several bullet holes in his plane. It read: "Hit several times. The Big Twitch!"
When he finally returned to South Africa he could not leave flying alone and emigrated to the then Southern Rhodesia where he joined the Southern Rhodesia Auxiliary Air Force. With that force he took part in the longest ferry of Spitfires ever undertaken, setting the scene and providing the ground work for another ferry some 25 years later. This was the Ferry of 18 Cessna 337G (Skymaster ~ Milirole Ground Attack platform) aircraft from Rheims in France to Salisbury against United Nations sanctions. Both the Ferries are detailed in the book with the original logs from both recorded. The detailed account of how the Rhodesian Aircraft ferried the Skymaster code named the Lynx ~ the aircraft designed especially for operations in Viet Nam includes photographs only published in this book.
Ossie was a founder member of the Rhodesian Air Force and rose to high rank due to his unique personality and his ability as a leader as well as a pilot. He helped train several of the men who became Officers Commanding of the Air Force.
In addition to recording the story of a unique man the book also shows the political climate and events of a turbulent time in South Africa's and Rhodesia's (now Zimbabwe) history.
Ossie finally retired from flying in 1982 after serving with the fledgling Air Force of Zimbabwe. One of his students was at that time the Air Marshal in charge of the Air Force.
Books by Ralpapajan
I'm the author of several other books.
Two of these are listed below at Amazon.co.uk. Unfortunately, for some technical reason I am trying to sort out they are listed as being out of print. Should you wish to explore my books further please look at them in Amazon. To buy the easiest way is to go to:
Ralpapajan's Shop Window
In that window you will also see "The Great British Railway Passenger," a calendar that presents a cynical look at the Railways in Britain from a Staff member's point of view.
My first book was a technical treatise on Infrastructure Development Insurance in South Africa and was titled "The Insurance of Contracts ~ an Introduction." It was recommended reading for final years students of Civil Engineering at the University of Natal. Several insurance companies also bought it for their staff.
Next I wrote "The Secret of Letting Go"; an analysis of a book by the same named written by Guy Finley. I was thrilled to be told of his approval of my writing.
Lately, I have written a diary of my journey through Belize in 2008 entitled "The Ko'ox Tun Chronicles." This reflects the actually day to day experience of my journey with reference to some rather disturbing incidents there. It is being edited to ensure that it is not libellous. It should be on sale via Lulu and Amazon soon.
My last two efforts are "Beacon of Hope", which reflects Belize today and shows what is being done and can be done for the indigenous people of Toledo District to help raise both their consciousness and their prosperity. The other is "Ko'ox Tun ~ the Story so far." This details the community development projects that the Friends of Ko'ox Tun would very much like to implement.
These books are available as downloads here:
Beacon of Hope
and
The Koox Tun Story
With regard to the Toledo Project the reader should go to Squidoo Lens Toledo District, Belize, Central America to see why Belize has been chosen.
My final offering is another freebie in download form. This is my auto-biography and could be quite boring, I guess. It is available here:
Life's a Curve
Ralpapajan's Shop Window
In that window you will also see "The Great British Railway Passenger," a calendar that presents a cynical look at the Railways in Britain from a Staff member's point of view.
My first book was a technical treatise on Infrastructure Development Insurance in South Africa and was titled "The Insurance of Contracts ~ an Introduction." It was recommended reading for final years students of Civil Engineering at the University of Natal. Several insurance companies also bought it for their staff.
Next I wrote "The Secret of Letting Go"; an analysis of a book by the same named written by Guy Finley. I was thrilled to be told of his approval of my writing.
Lately, I have written a diary of my journey through Belize in 2008 entitled "The Ko'ox Tun Chronicles." This reflects the actually day to day experience of my journey with reference to some rather disturbing incidents there. It is being edited to ensure that it is not libellous. It should be on sale via Lulu and Amazon soon.
My last two efforts are "Beacon of Hope", which reflects Belize today and shows what is being done and can be done for the indigenous people of Toledo District to help raise both their consciousness and their prosperity. The other is "Ko'ox Tun ~ the Story so far." This details the community development projects that the Friends of Ko'ox Tun would very much like to implement.
These books are available as downloads here:
Beacon of Hope
and
The Koox Tun Story
With regard to the Toledo Project the reader should go to Squidoo Lens Toledo District, Belize, Central America to see why Belize has been chosen.
My final offering is another freebie in download form. This is my auto-biography and could be quite boring, I guess. It is available here:
Life's a Curve
Use Amazon to see my books
The Merchants of Chaos
Although I have a contract with Amazon the book always appears as "Out of Print." I suggest that you click on But Now to see the book and its preview and should you wish to buy it, which I hope you will, then go to my Lulu Shop Front (for which see above) to actually buy it. This is only until I can get Amazon to correct their system.http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41SjsBPFcyL._SL75_.jpg
Amazon Price: (as of 11/29/2009) 
Half a Century in Uniform
Although I have a contract with Amazon the book always appears as "Out of Print." I suggest that you click on But Now to see the book and its preview and should you wish to buy it, which I hope you will, then go to my Lulu Shop Front (for which see above) to actually buy it. This is only until I can get Amazon to correct their system.
Amazon Price: (as of 11/29/2009)
Books by Prop Geldenhuys
Nickel Cross
Nickel Cross ~ A lesson in War, and life, results in "to the Victor, the spoils". In other words, the Government in power writes its own so-called 'history'. Where this is lacking, especially in Africa, country name changes occur, followed by the hijacking of City, town and even street names. So, before long, places and names like Rhodesia and even Pretoria will fade into the past (dare I say history?). My factstory biography thus covers the past 100 years as a true Geldenhuys heritage - - from the Anglo-Boer war days of my grandfather Jannie (Oudad), my father Preller's East African Campaign during World War II - in forgotten Abyssinia and Eritrea I hasten to add, my own family and friends' Rhodesian War experiences, and my twilight years after a very rewarding second career with Masonite. Look at Nickel Cross
Books by Prop Geldenhuys
Rhodesian Air Force Operations with Air Strike Log
The Story of the Rhodesian Air Force Operations. Includes an Air-strike log and maps. This is a detailed and very well researched book showing many of the Operations of the Air Force ~ the Best Small Air Force in the World.The detail shown in this book is amazing and was written by an endearing character who was loved by his men and respected by his colleagues as a professional Airman.
Look at Rhodesian Air Force Operations
Books by Geldenhuys, Manser and Mckenzie
Operation Miracle
Written by Prop Geldenhuys, Bob Manser and John "Kutanga" McKenzie.Operation Miracle is a fascinating story. From an Air Force perspective, it is, in a nutshell, a sincere tribute to Three Bold Airmen, KIA 3 October 1979. They lie in unmarked graves, God alone knows where.The three men who have written this book were stalwarts of the Military Forces of Rhodesia. With their vast combined experience they are eminently suited to compile this poignant reminder of what war is all about.
To view this book please visit Operation Miracle
Books by Peter Petter-Bowyer
Winds of Destruction
Peter Petter-Bowyer is arguably the most qualified of all Rhodesian Air Force pilots to present the story of the Bush War from an Air Force perspective. This is a great read and should be of interest to all airplane buffs. My blog
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Acknowledgements
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by Ralpapajan
Hello world. I thought I had retired but work twicw as hard as before. For the first time I really do what I want to do. I write books (four last year... (more)
