Door Gunner

About nine years ago I reached out to my old friend Beaver Shaw. I'd just started writing my first work of 'faction' (fact + fiction) and was eager to include real-life characters in my carefully curated scenes, many of which form part of the historical record. Pairing Beaver—a true hero of the Rhodesian Bush War—with Dax Hunter, my fictitious protagonist, seemed inspired, if only Beaver would consent. Fortunately for me (and my readers), he agreed to be written into the plot as himself.  Here's an excerpt from that first book, 'A Legion of Warriors'. 

Hunter checked his watch. It was almost 5 PM. Barring a late callout, it was likely that he and his door gunner were done flying for the day. Craning his neck, he looked outside the tent. He could see Beaver pottering around their helicopter. Stepping into the furnace, Hunter walked across the shimmering hardstand to see if he could help.

Each of the air force’s operational choppers was assigned a qualified aircraft technician. Not only were these men skilled in the arcana of wildly spinning machinery, but they also doubled up as door gunners. Since the beginning of his operational bush tour, Dax had been paired with a guy called Beaver. The young pilot wasn’t yet ready to ask his partner how he got his nickname.

Amongst his many talents, Beaver is also a prolific writer and artist. For aviation buffs, enthusiasts of true war stories, and those interested in Southern Africa's part in the Cold War, I recommend you get a copy of Beaver's runaway autobiography, 'Choppertech.'

While the attached picture is AI-generated, Beaver (standing on the left) is a true likeness. Dax Hunter, of the eponymous book series, is on the right.