Bryan Monkton • Remarkable Australian Aviator
Bryan Monkton served his country well during WWII, flying first as a Flight
Instructor,
then a Fighter Pilot (Hurricanes) and finally, flying dangerous Mine Laying Missions in Catalinas
(RAAF 43 “Black Cat” Squadron) over various parts of the Pacific.
After the war, Bryan founded Trans Oceanic Airways with 5 war surplus Sunderland
Flying Boats and started
commercial flights to Lord Howe Island, the Solomon Islands, New Hebrides and New Caledonia
operating from Rose Bay, Sydney. A famous employee was Sir Gordon (PG) Taylor, saviour of
Kingsford Smith and the Southern Cross and without doubt the world’s greatest aviation navigator
Sir Gordon was a Sunderland Captain for TOA !
Battling fierce and underhanded competition from a rival airline, raging storms,
engine failures
mid ocean due to contaminated fuel, navigation over thousands of miles using little more than
a sextant and destructive petty jealousy, Bryan was forced to become a fighter in every sense of the
word. TOA was sold to Ansett Flying Boat Services and Bryan then flew to the USA to found
South Pacific Air Lines, using Short Solent aircraft, despite fierce opposition from Pan American Airways.
Those fans of Indiana Jones may not be aware that one of Bryan’s aircraft, a Short Solent
was
featured in the film Raiders of the Lost Ark, with Harrison Ford as a passenger
!
When the Solents were eventually sold to the infamous Howard Hughes, Bryan
looked for new
adventures as a Freelance Airline Captain. He flew DC-4s during the Congo conflict and had an
aircraft shot up and bombed from under him, resulting in schrapnel in his back.
Bryan flew all types of flying boats in the US Virgin Islands for Antilles Airlines, owned
by
US Aviator Charles Blair and his wife, Hollywood actress Maureen O’Hara
!
When Charles Blair was killed in a flying boat accident, Bryan delivered new
aircraft
from the USA and UK to Australia, flying a wide variety of single and twin engine aircraft.
He will remain the only pilot ever to launch, takeoff, land and moor a huge
Sunderland Flying Boat entirely on his own, an almost impossible task !
Bryan Monkton sadly passed away on the 29th of May, 2003 and is at
rest beside his devoted wife Monica in the Southern Highlands.
His book, "The Boats I Flew", details Bryan Monkton's amazing adventures
on sea, land and air in a way that will make it difficult to put aside !
Before his untimely passing from a brain tumour Bryan agreed to allow all
proceeds from the sale of his wonderful book to be in favour of the
Australian Aviation Museum Bankstown, a non profit, totally volunteer
operated organisation based at Bankstown Airport, Sydney.
The price per copy is A$39.95 plus postage (A$10.00 in Australia).
First Issue almost sold out !!!