David Crawford
Photographer and aviation enthusiast
David's love affair with aircraft began in primary school. The country school he attended (12 miles from Cessnock, Hunter Valley region) was serviced by a well-stocked mobile library with a great range of aviation books.
His favourite book is Sigh For A Merlin by Alex Henshow. He continues to love books and collect aviation magazines from Australia, England and the USA.
David's first major air show was the 1988 Bi-Centenary Air Show at Richmond RAAF Base. In 1990 he visited the UK for the 50th Anniversary of the Battle for Britain tour and enjoyed air shows at Farnborough, Abingdon, Duxford, Folkstone and visits to various museums. One highlight was sitting in the cockpit of the Mosquito prototype.
In 1992 he visited New Zealand for Warbirds over Wanaka and enjoyed it so much. Since 1992 he has travelled extensively domestically and internationally enjoying air shows - Tassie Sky Race (flying by DC-3 with Jack Curtis as pilot), Avalon, Warbirds over Scone, Temora Aviation Museum fly-in weekends, Tyabb, Classic Fighters Marlborough, RIAT, Paris, Classic Fighter Show (Duxford, UK), Confederate Air Force show (USA), Edwards Air Force Base and Reno Air Races.
One reason for attending air shows is the fun of taking photographs as a record of the show, sending copies to friends and aviation magazines for possible publication.
David has been fortunate with his aviation hobby, meeting an interesting array of people many of whom have become good friends, and enjoying the rich and different cultures of various contries around the world.
David Crawford
