Commonwealth Boomerang

The Commonwealth Boomerang with Test Pilot Greg Board

Another unforgettable voice would remain just a voice for almost half a century, and belonged to Greg Board. In his superb book Everything but the Flak, the author, Martin Caidin, provides a record of Greg’s exploits, describing him as The Amazing Mr. Board. Although apt, Greg Board’s deeds demand a good deal more.

I first learned of Gregory Richmond Board when he was a test pilot for the Australian Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation Boomerang planes. When he sat in a plane it was not as an addition -he completed the design.

After the sneak attack on Pearl Harbour Greg Board fought the Japanese Zero fighters in Malaysia. He was posted to Sembawang, Singapore in November 1941 then later to Ipoh, Malaysia. At Ipoh he deliberately retracted the undercarriage of his Brewster Buffalo to prevent colliding with another Buffalo making a forced landing on a cross strip.