Memories of Service 4 - Stoney Burke

Stoney Burke reckons aviation fuel just about runs in his veins; fascinated by aircraft since childhood, joining the Royal New Zealand Air Force felt like a logical choice. Burke's long career as an engineer both on the ground and in the air included helping get supplies to Nepal for Sir Edmund Hillary’s school building projects, plus service in the Vietnam War. Flying into Saigon and some of the forward air bases in Vietnam could prove tricky, with planes taking small arms fire on their approach. Post Air Force, Stoney continued his career at Air New Zealand.

The aircraft in front of us took small arms fire and the aircraft behind us took small arms fire. They weren’t brought down but it was altogether a bit much. I didn’t really sign on to do that sort of thing.

– Stoney Burke

Key Cast & Crew

David Blyth

Director, Interviewer, Producer

Patricia Stroud

Research, Producer

Jed Town

Composer

Edward Larsen

Editor

Stephen Latty

Camera, Sound