Memories of Service 4 - Stoney Burke

Have many stories of 3 Squadron and shared experiences with Stoney mentioned here. I actually hooked the load onto his chopper at Mt Cook, watched it take off and turn to port just as a plane load of tourists were unloading and showing great interest in the helicopter activities. Off comes the load and lands in the river bed creating a great shingle splash. My explanation of turbulence satisfied them. Operation Hayrake provided one of the most humorous experiences in my career. Those dogs...everything that Stoney described was as it happened, BUT he did not mention the day when ‘all dogs aboard sir’, chopper winds up to maximum revs for take off, suddenly revs drop back, doors fly open and mass bailout of p.o.b. except pilot. DOG had farted!
13 nails of hay in chopper, with space left for crewman and 14 in underslung net. I remember it all as if it was yesterday.

Well done Stones!