My life–long passion for the Handley Page Victor began as a youngster when I spotted it in my little blue “Observer’s Book of Aircraft” and when the Victor featured in the movie “The Iron Maiden” in the early sixties.

My next sighting of a Victor was in 1970 during Exercise Bersatu Padu in the Far East. I was a Radio Operator with the Royal New Zealand Navy and on the final day of the Exercise, before sailing into Singapore, the participating aircraft performed a fly–past. The Victor was a magnificent sight despite the Vulcans, Lightnings , Canberras and Phantoms taking part. I consider it to be one of the most beautiful aircraft ever designed. Technically, it was an extremely advanced aircraft for its time.

Later on I ventured into flight simulation and finally created a version of the HP Victor. It was at this time I found many people associated with the Victor namely Andre Tempest and Roger Brooks. This led to the trip of a life time — to take a ride in XL231 at Elvington August 2004.

Exercise Bersatu Padu — 1970