WONZ 171 – Peter Waller – Vietnam FAC

Guests: Peter Waller Host: Dave Homewood Recorded: 7th of April 2017 Released: 7th of January 2018 Duration: 48 minutes 31 seconds Peter Waller was an officer in the Royal New Zealand Air Force. He learned to fly in the mid-1960’s on the North American Harvard, before progressing to the Vampire jet fighters of No. 75 Squadron RNZAF. He filled the role of Flight Commander on the Vampire squadron before moving on to the English Electric Canberra, and then eventually the Skyhawk as it entered service. In 1972 Pete was chosen to serve a tour of duty in Vietnam in the role of Forward Air Controller. He was attached to a USAF unit and flew the unusual push-pull twin boom Cessna O-2 in combat. He would mark targets for the Phantoms and other aircraft to strike with bombs or rockets. Pete gives a fascinating insight into the life of a Kiwi strike pilot and FAC pilot during the 1960’s and 1970’s. The music heard in the opening is Pop Nugget by Dave Depper. Video Version: Photos: All photos come from Pete Waller’s collection Pete Waller with a de Havilland Vampire of No. 75 Squadron RNZAF