Alexander Brian Milne, known as Brian

[Dave Homewood]

Does anyone have any information on a pilot names Alexander Brian Milne, usually known as Brian Milne, who apparently served as a fighter pilot during WWII and an instructor in the RNZAF postwar too. He was apparently CFI at the Midlands Aero Club 1060-1966, where he was known as 'Grumpy' Milne. I'm told he died 13th of April 1989.

Does anyone have any information on his wartime service? Apparently enquiries to the NZDF Personnel Library have drawn a blank. His logbooks exist but they are not available to the enquirer.

This is a photo i have been sent of him.

[errolmartyn]

Possibly the same man as NZ442718 A B Milne who enlisted as an AC2 and ACH AC on 28 Apr 44.

This is the only A B Milne known to have served with the RNZAF in WWII. Not likely to have had much opportunity to qualify as a fighter pilot in WWII, though!

Cheers,
Errol

[Dave Homewood]

Thanks Errol.

[madmax]

Brian Milne was CFI at the Palmerston North Flying School in the 1960s. Did my Cub rating with him in ZK-BTL in Jan 1967

[johnnyfalcon]

Oct 3, 2020 22:48:48 GMT 12 madmax said:

Brian Milne was CFI at the Palmerston North Flying School in the 1960s. Did my Cub rating with him in ZK-BTL in Jan 1967

He was CFI when Dad was a member of the PNFS. I have vivid memories of Brian's military manner. Dad was also ex RNZAF and had a lot of respect for him. Brian tolerated no nonsense.

I remember one time Dad was flying one of Brian's shiny Bolkow Juniors and had to make a hasty landing due to an unwell passenger. He vacated the main runway early, and stopped on the grass, popped the canopy open to allow the passenger to vomit. A bumptious ATC called him on the radio and demanded Dad visit the tower to explain his unapproved actions.

Upon parking the plane, Brian came striding across, face like thunder (he'd heard the RTF exchange from the hangar) demanding to know if the passenger had messed the inside of his aeroplane! He hadn't. He commended Dad, told him not to worry about the ATC, and promptly marched off in their direction to 'sort them out'

Dad had lots of anecdotes about Brian.

[angelsonefive]

In June and July 1963 I was on a 6-week course at the School of Military Engineering at Linton and used the opportunity to get checked out for solo in Tiger Moths at the Middle Districts Aero Club.
I did several dual trips in ZK-BGX with Noel Mangin and flew with Brian Milne ( CFI ) on one flight, before being sent off on my own.
I remember both men fondly.

It was from Brian that I first heard the memory aid for the safe handling of the DH82a's magneto switches : " They are like a lady's knickers. When they are up they are on, and when they are down they are off."

I do not know if Brian was Air Force trained or not, but he certainly gave me the impression that he could have been.

[johnnyfalcon]

Unless I'm mistaken, Brian left Middle Districts Aero Club to set up Palmerston North Flying School, on the other side of Milson aerodrome, near the control tower

[madmax]

Another instructor with PNFS at the time Brian was there was Barry (or possibly Brian) Brill. Graham Leach also worked for the school at one time however I think he was there later.
I must agree Brian Milne was somewhat surly and I recall him screaming at me from the rear seat of BTL during take off, however it didn't unduly perturb me as at that stage I'd done several hours flying with Bruce James who had a similar temperament. Both were terrific pilots and instructors.

[chinapilot]

Suffice to say that instructors like Brian and Bruce were the epitome of CFIs in those days. Hard men but to be honest don’t remember Bruce as a ‘Yeller’ but he expected a high standard which I often failed to achieve...

Membership of aero clubs in those days was mostly people who just wanted to fly for fun as a hobby with a few keen CPL aspirants and I guess strong discipline had to be installed in the club members so that club assets weren’t scattered all over the countryside.

Wonder what they would think of the quasi military schools of today with everyone strutting around in epaulets pretending they are airline pilots already. ( That also has its place as a necessary producer of pilots to meet the demand - until recent events anyway)

[madmax]

Ian. Agree, Bruce was not a yeller but firm disciplinarian whose comments could sometimes be acidic. Another ex RNZAF instructor whom I flew with and who I admired was Frank Wright who was with WAC until about 1959/60.
As for your comments about today's breed with their fancy epaulets and gold bars, I agree entirely. I could relate an interesting incident involving one of those so called "fancy fliers" who rocked-up to a country airfield where i was instructing during the 80's. However I shall leave it for another time.

[mydadbrian]

Oct 4, 2020 21:15:41 GMT 12 madmax said:

Ian. Agree, Bruce was not a yeller but firm disciplinarian whose comments could sometimes be acidic. Another ex RNZAF instructor whom I flew with and who I admired was Frank Wright who was with WAC until about 1959/60.
As for your comments about today's breed with their fancy epaulets and gold bars, I agree entirely. I could relate an interesting incident involving one of those so called "fancy fliers" who rocked-up to a country airfield where i was instructing during the 80's. However I shall leave it for another time.

[mydadbrian]

Hi I am brians Daughter if any one is interested I have all his log books from post war . They are safe and well kept.

[Dave Homewood]

Hi there, would it be possible to please get a copy of his logbooks, for historical purposes, please?