About the Book
LYNN GARRISONLynn Garrison a rare individual who has compressed a half-dozen or so varied lives into one continuous stream. RCAF pilot, mercenary, publisher, film producer/director, diplomat, military adviser, aerial director, air show performer, aircraft collector and writer. Born immediately before outbreak of World War Two, Lynn decided to be a fighter pilot. On his 17th birthday, RCAF's 403 City of Calgary Squadron, sponsored him for pilot training. Lynn received his wings two months after 18th birthday, qualified on jet fighters. He is the youngest commissioned pilot since World War Two, a record that still stands. A love for piston-engine warbirds saw him fly P-51D Mustangs, and Hawker Sea Furys, in Canadian service. Last to fly the famed Avro Lancaster in RCAF service, July 4, 1964 Lynn purchased KB-976 afterwards, for his Air Museum of Canada project. Lynn accumulated over 70 aircraft. 1962 loaned to the UNEF, on the Sinai, he flew Otters and Caribous as UN Undersecretary Dr. Ralph Bunche's pilot.Mid-sixties saw him as President of Craig Breedlove & Associates, working to capture World Land Speed Records. He flew his Vought F4U-7 Corsair during this period and coordinated modification of aircraft for Tora Tora Tora. Garrison purchased aircraft collected for The Blue Max. During 11 years in Ireland, he operated the World War One aviation facility. Supported The Blue Max, Darling Lili, Red Baron, Richthofen & Brown, Zeppelin, You Can't Win 'Em All, Ryan's Daughter and Barry Lyndon. During Roger Corman's - Richthofen & Brown - Garrison crashed after being struck in the face by a crow. 50 years later Lynn still owns the Fokker Triplane. Lynn shared a duplex with Ireland's Prime Minister Jack Lynch. They drafted the Film Act of 1970, basis for other tax relief programs around the world. Lynn assisted in creating legal framework for Ireland's offshore petroleum business. In his spare time founded a glass-blowing facility producing fine lead crystal.1967 saw Lynn in The Biafran War, assisting Count von Rossen in his effort to create a new nation, flying Malmo MF-9s against the Nigerians. Garrison destroyed a Mig-17 and Il-28 and introduced a Canadian method of dropping food. A bag of rice/beans placed inside another bag before the drop. Bags hit the ground, inner would burst while outer contained the contents.1969 saw his involvement with the Soccer War between Honduras and El Salvador, last combat between propeller-driven aircraft. 1970 saw Garrison flying Helio Couriers in SE Asia. 1973 saw the FAI award Lynn the Tissandier diploma for contributions to aviation.1980 Haiti became his focus: While directing a film on Voodoo, Garrison was almost killed trying to dig up a Zombi. This visit led to a 35 year association with Haiti. During the 1991-94 embargo he served as a bridge between American embassy and Haiti's military headquarters: Aristide's people made 4 attempts on Garrison's life. One saw 32 rounds fired into his bed through a window. His book, Voodoo Politics, tells this story and more. Aristide - The Death of a Nation is a follow up. Advisor to various governments, he was Honorary Consul to the States, and coordinates The Haitian Children's Fund he created in 1983.Now writing a series of books on his experience as collector and operator of classic aircraft. Evolution, followed by Triple Threat, Grand Theft Aircraft and several more as yet untitled books. Lynn owned over 70 aircraft, including Lancasters, Hurricanes, Spitfire, Corsair, Mosquito, P-40, Fokker Dr.1 and D-V11, SE-5, Pfalz D-111, B-25, B-24, T-33, F-86, CF-100, Vampire, T6, and more. Each has a unique story. His OS2U Kingfisher sits on the North Carolina Battleship Memorial. Since his 18th birthday, Garrison has owned at least one aircraft, at all times.Lynn is known for his 'oft repeated comment: "If it has fuel and noise, I can fly it."
