Fighting Men of Rhodesia ep180 | Gary Albyn | Rh. Air Force, Author

Gary Albyn has authored and ghost-written a number of books. He also puts his engineering background to good use as a professional technical writer. Originally from Rhodesia—Zimbabwe today—Albyn is an avid traveler and adventurer whose life has encompassed many divergent interests, careers and experiences. His life-long passion for aviation started as a trainee pilot with the Rhodesian Air Force in the late 70s. Besides delighting in rotary flight, Albyn has held board-level positions in the corporate world; worked as a civilian coalition contractor in Iraq in 2004; consulted with TV documentary crews on two continents and spent over three years as the senior instructor at one of the world’s foremost bodyguard academies in Cape Town, South Africa. As evidenced in Manzovo—his first acclaimed title—Albyn is also passionate about wildlife conservation. He lives with his wife Cathy in California, USA.

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[horacehowe]

Wonderful enthusiasm! I love passion and Gary has a heavy dose of it. I have spent hours watching Fighting Men of Rhodesia. Few, if any, warriors have fought so bravely and professionally. Thank you!!

[mikemcavoy]

Really inspirational chap. Enjoyed listening to him.

[moirapettifr]

He looks like Gen Glenn McMahon in War Machine.

[Gudoozim]

I found that really interesting. My old man was a Cop in Maredellas, Mt Darwin amongst other towns outside Salisbury in late 60’s n 70’s. Gary’s youth reminds me of mine. Great interview!

[alanheathcote]

A little bit of trivia from personal experience: Chris Cox and Craig Bone both went to the same junior school - St Johns Prep in Rolf Valley, Salisbury, so that relationship went way way back and could well have helped with the first book. There were only 140 students in the school back in those days, Std 1-6, so we all knew each other.

[stevelailvaux]

These guys are fascinating...such interesting lives us Zimbabweans have had and it's a pity we won't see their like again...living in the UK surrounded by drips and weaklings is tough...these guys remind me that are real men in the world!!!

[georgedempster]

Excellent interview, Gary you are a story teller of note. I served with Chris Cocks and Craig Bone. Thank you

[graemekelleher]

What a brilliant interview (as always, I had to have a chuckle when it was mentioned the 'kids of Rhodesia ' joined other armies to be a soldier like their dads, uncles, etc, I was one of them too. Thank you for the enormous effort in preserving our history

[Darkmouse]

Fascinating guy, great interview - articulate and eloquent, I'm not surprised he is an author. As an SH pilot who grew up in Zambia I sometimes feel that I aught to try my hand at writing!

[barbarawalsh]

Super interview and so interesting your life, experiences and storytelling. Spent my early days during the war on the Umtali Police Camp with my best friends whose father was Gary Tudor-Jones (CI of Dogs Division) they lived in the house just after the swimming pool. We knew every inch of the camp grounds and loved watching the Allouettes/Bells flying into the field or taking off. Was offered a ride but shied away, much to my regret! My sister Allison would have known you and Dave Charles etc..

[davecharles]

Great interview Gary, thanks for the mention and of course the late Gavin Coutts

[rossitherhodie]

What a wonderful chat Gary. Such a small world we Rhodesians live in. Looking at the names on your squad photo, I new five of your intake. Kevin Smeda being the closest as he was in Police Morris depot with me squad 3/78 and he then joined the air force and today as you know is a Snr Pilot and Trainer with Emirates. He was instrumental in bringing our squad together on a group and a fellow squad member Duncan Boyd Moss put together a lovely book with contributions from the squad mates. Some of the other members of your intake I got to know very well as they flew for De Beers and Anglo American who I also work for on their Gold and Diamond mines. And your best buddy Ian? Well, his brother Brian (I Think) is our neighbour farming in Beit Bridge. Great great times. Thanks Hannes and John. Look forward to reading the book or listening to the Poem. God Bless you all.

[dougcomrie]

Hey Gary and Hannes! What a fascinating storyteller Gary is. Loved the interview from 2 UBHS guys I remember well.

[prop]

Thank you, Gary and Hannes, for a captivating interview. I remember much of what was discussed - in particular your auction of 'Operation Miracle' painting [won by Tol Janeke] by Eric Bone in Durban Shamwari Club many, many moons ago. Got your Elle poetry coffee-table book. Plus many other snippets of Rhodies war stories. Thanks, guys!

[hughslatter]

Thanks, Guys - well done.
Gary's books have the authenticity displayed by all good authors because of his painstaking and detailed research .
I remember him calling me one time with a question that seemed somewhat trivial to me ( details of our ceremonial sword scabbards ) but was important to get right for his setting!
That same attention to detail shows up throughout his writing and sets him apart from other " faction " writers.
Congrats.

[JNH]

Hi Gary, thanks, a very interesting interview, brings back many memories.... I remember that bike race well, I was on one of the two Tech teams that raced against you Pilot Cadets, we were 39 LAR (Local Air Recruits)... No need to remind you who came 1st & 2nd !!😀

[Chris-tdyd]

Great Interview, Thanks Gary & Hannes.

[TrailWalker]

14.4k: nice to see the subscriber numbers finally getting some momentum.

[gertm]

A great and interesting interview; richly enjoyed.

[lostnavclive]

Those navy divers you mentioned paul whiley 1 of the divers on that rescue also received the honoris crux, i worked offshore nigeria with him in 1999 im ex Rhodesian / zim myself i was 15 when war ended i went to aberdeen 86 and 88 became a commercial diver 30 years mostly persian gulf till 2018