ADRIAN GJERTSEN

摘要

It is all too easy to take for granted the continued preservation in private hands of airworthy ex-military jets. Beautiful and evocative they may be, but - the Vulcan, perhaps, aside - these are not aircraft with the wide popular appeal, and thus the commercial 'pull', of a Spitfire. And that's to say nothing of how hellishly expensive and time-consuming a classic jet is to operate. The fuel and insurance bills alone are enough to empty the apparently deepest pockets, even when an aircraft is running well. Making money from air display bookings is but a fanciful dream. But even with all these trials and tribulations, there is much enjoyment to be had. So it was for Adrian Gjertsen, among the pioneers of the UK's civilian jet warbird scene. This ex-RAF pilot became a leading light with two operators, Hunter One and Jet Heritage, that blazed new trails. In some ways, they were ahead of their time. That much became clear from talking to Adrian at his home in Surrey, where an immaculate collection of memorabilia and cuttings helped us recall those exciting days.