By the Skin of my Teeth: The Memoirs of an RAF Mustang Pilot in World War II and of Flying Sabres with USAF in Korea by Colin Downes

Author:Colin Downes [Downes, Colin]
Language: eng
Format: epub, azw3
ISBN: 9781783460373
Publisher: Pen & Sword
Published: 2006-01-19T08:00:00+00:00

Las Vegas

In Nevada did a gleeful Satan

Some Neon Pleasure Domes decree;

And Silver like a mighty torrent ran

Through coffers too numerous to scan,

Onto that vast and waterless sea:

From the many casinos built on sand

That makes up this exotic wonderland.

After a thoroughly enjoyable stay in Nevada we headed for Los Angeles to visit the North American Aircraft factory at Longbeach, home of the P-51 Mustang in the forties and the F-86 Sabre in the fifties. We also visited the Douglas Aircraft factory and both were a revelation after visiting British aircraft factories. I understood how the P-51 Mustang was so superior in build quality compared with the Spitfire, together with the American ability to produce such vast quantities of well-built aircraft. While at the North American plant I saw the prototype of the F-100 Super Sabre; a third generation jet fighter developed from the F-86 Sabre and the first production aircraft of the 100 Series of fighters to fly supersonic in level flight. A short leave followed in the Los Angeles area and invitations came from the entertainment world of Hollywood where the British colony of actors headed by Deborah Carr and her husband Tony Barclay, an ex-Battle of Britain pilot, took an interest in us. I visited some of the film studios, one of which was endeavouring to make a film with Marilyn Monroe before she was replaced by Kim Novak. The Australian actor Peter Finch took me to a very weird party given by Vivien Leigh at David Niven’s house, with many British expatriates present including Joan Fontaine. Such generous hospitality was both entertaining and enjoyable if a little revealing at times, and part of any long standing illusion of Hollywood was shattered in the process. Particularly while having a drink with David Niven, who perhaps revealed more than he should have of his early days in Hollywood.

Three very enjoyable lunches and a round of golf provided lasting memories of my stay in Hollywood and San Francisco. When visiting the film studios in Hollywood I met an attractive girl who was the personal assistant to Cary Grant, and she introduced me to the film star. Whether it was because I was a compatriot or off to the war in Korea I do not know, but Cary Grant was extremely friendly and hospitable. I found him very pleasant and entertaining; in fact exactly as he appeared in his films. He invited me to lunch with him and his secretary at his favourite steak restaurant. It was a small and unpretentious restaurant that claimed to serve the best steaks in the world, a claim readily confirmed by Cary Grant as a regular customer. The restaurateur obtained his beef exclusively from a free-range ranch in Kansas. The meat travelled from the abattoir to the restaurant by truck, keeping it chilled but not frozen; it was then hung at a constant temperature to age and tenderise naturally before serving. The result was certainly the best steak that I had eaten. Cary Grant was an excellent host, entertaining us with many amusing and revealing anecdotes.

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