Jack Wight - RAF, SAAF...?

PANDAMATENGA · 01-30-2009, 01:18 PM

Thanks for the welcome guys!!

Kyt

Absolutely spot on. How did you ever come across that?
I did not know that he served his whole sentence must have been a godawful experience.Africa is not a place to be caught doing naughties!!!

Andy

I cant help with SAAF records as I was never in.Jack may even have been in Rhodesian Air Force.
Actually my flying career came to a grisly end in 1991 when the Dak I was in crashed on landing at a bush strip in Mozambique.(I wasn't driving that day just along for the ride!!) I was medevaced to Johannesburg in DC4 of Interocean Airways who were also doing food relief there.
Sadly I lost a leg and an eye and that was the end of that.I have been in London for many years working as a Navigator for SITA providing Flt Plans for many airlines and maintaining an aviation database.

I sure miss the flying and especially aviation in Africa which was nothing if not interesting!!

Regards to you all

Gavin

**Antipodean Andy** · 02-01-2009, 05:09 PM

Sounds like you're more capable than the rest of us, Gavin!

I'll see if I can be cheeky and get in touch with the SAAF archives somehow.

**Roy58** · 07-20-2010, 10:12 AM

Hi Andy,
I came across this forum after doing a google on Jack Wight. Apologies for the 18 months late reply. Jack, together with his erstwhile WW2 SAAF colleague, Johnny Human, converted me to DC3's back in '79. I had just joined a rather crazy operation, Protea Airways, as a rookie F/O after 2 years instructing around the circuit at Rand Airport, & this was hopefully my next rung up the ladder to that coveted airline job!
Protea Airways was a lot like Buffalo Airways, Yellowknife, of the new TV series fame, except of course we flew the tropical wilds of Africa as opposed to the frozen wilds of Northern Canada!
Jack was one of those pilots that they don't make any more. A true natural, humble but could keep you riveted with some of his experiences, ranging from the Western Desert of WW2 to landing overloaded DC6's at night on widened roads that passed for runways during the Biafrian war. Never boasted though, you had to coax it out of him carefully. A true, modest, softly spoken gentleman, always a hit with the ladies even when he was well into his 70's.
I was shocked to hear of his passing. At least he died doing what he always loved. Do you have any more info?

Roy

**Antipodean Andy** · 07-20-2010, 11:45 PM

Many thanks, Roy. I have not added any further info to my little bio I have on him so your post is most valuable. Are you still flying?

**Roy58** · 07-22-2010, 12:16 AM

Originally Posted by Antipodean Andy

Many thanks, Roy. I have not added any further info to my little bio I have on him so your post is most valuable. Are you still flying?

Unfortunately only printing machines. Moved over to Oz 12 years ago after becoming another SA crime statistic!

**garthwight** · 05-14-2012, 04:49 AM

Jack Wight (John Roger Wight) 2 Squadron SAAF 1941-1943, flew Kittyhawks P40 and Spitfires MK V & IX, died in an aircraft crash C172 Rand Airport FAGM 1999 aged 78.