What a day! The excitement was palpable!! Land a huge Puma helicopter on the field at an all boys’ school and you’re going to get some interest … and not just from the boys! All sorts of people arrived to have a look, take photographs and watch the activity.
Then throw into the mix the excitement of being a part of history in the making … the boys had been preparing and practicing for this occasion, the forming of a giant DHS 150 on the field to mark the 150th birthday of the School.
The helicopter, from the SA Air Force, had arrived to assist so that the historic moment could be captured from the air.
The boys were amazing; in the hot sun they formed the massive DHS 150 and stood still while it was filmed from above. Thank you to Deputy Head Prefect, Joshua Spooner, for his superb organisational skills.
A group of 10 lucky people got to be passengers for the trip: three photographers, the Head Master, two boys (the Head Boy, the Chairman of the RCL) and a few privileged staff members … and what an experience it was!
The pilot of the SA Air Force Puma helicopter, Wayne McLaren (one of our father’s), circled the school a few times, going higher and higher each lap so that we could photograph the boys in their formation. Wayne also took us for a ride over the Morningside / Musgrave area and down to the Moses Mabhida Stadium. He frightened the living daylights out of us when he flew the Puma out to sea and performed some air acrobatics … terrifying … and exhilarating!
Even the folk down on the ground had an exciting time … the field was surrounded by staff and others watching the proceedings … and when the helicopter did a fly past everyone cheered and clapped.
What an awesome and memorable day! A very grateful thank you to the SA Air Force 15 Squadron and Major W R McLaren, Oryx Helicopter Pilot, and his crew.