Bert Mercer

[Dave Homewood]

I just happened upon this photo and snippet in The Press newspaper dated 3rd of December 1941. It made me really think, he must have been one of the highest houred pilots in NZ history at that time. No long haul back then, not a lot of training students, even military pilots were significant to reach 1500 to 2000 hours during WWII.

10,000 HOURS IN THE AIR.
Mr J. C. Mercer speaking at the reception in Hokitika to honour his 10,000 hours of flying. On his left are Mr G. H. Chapman, the Minister for Defence, Mr E. H. Thompson, and Mr P. Graham.
PRESS, 3 DECEMBER 1941

[The Red Baron]

Even more amazing when you realise he was 17 years old when they invented the first aeroplane.

[Dave Homewood]

That is a very good point Warwick. So sad he was killed in a crash as a passenger in the back.