I am trying to contact anyone who was involved with or remembers the No.14 Empire Test Pilots School (ETPS) course in 1955, and in particular Steve Philpot, who wrote an article about Fleet Air Arm pilot Fred Hefford in the July 2008 issue of FlyPast. Fred and my father, Ossie Hawkins, were both on the same course that year. I am keen to assemble as much accurate information as possible on my father's ETPS and RAE time, which he shared with Fred. I remember meeting several of dad's fellow pilots that he was friendly with - Australians Milt Cottee and Fred Cousins, and Jack Alervie from the USAF, but unfortunately I don't recall him mentioning Fred Hefford. Dad went on to Boscombe Down, and later worked as a civilian test pilot with Gloster and Avro. I am labouring on a book about his flying career, starting with his early days in New Zealand, then training in Canada, flying 'ops' in the Pacific islands with the wartime RNZAF, to post-war RAF night-fighter squadrons, and test flying. Dad passed away in 2010, aged 86. Any assistance would be much appreciated.
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