Ian Tyrer, the founder of Galafrey Wines, was in the RAAF.



He worked on the electronics on Mirage Planes ( Man's plane!) in Newcastle in the late 60's. He was in the 76 Squadron.




now for those in the know.....might remember a big parachute we had in
our cellar door  in Albany and also at my wedding we had a parachute
hanging up on the ceiling.



























"Found this Mirage from 76 Squadron in the Pearce history file, thought you might like it as it is quite possible Ian worked on this particular plane. It  was in Darwin in 1967 when Ian and I were there on exercise." Ron Pease-Squadron Warrant Officer/Unit Welfare Officer






 




"This shows the famous Mirage brake Parachute, same as the one you used to have in the winery  when we first met, part of our job was to wait on the side of the airstrip and pick them up when the plan slowed to a certain speed and released the chute." Ron Pease-Squadron Warrant Officer/Unit Welfare
Officer

Ok...so I am told the parachute in the winery was actually a silk parachute from World War Two. Linda picked it up at a surplus store many moons ago.
here is a picture of it at my wedding....( before you ask, no we don't do weddings at Galafrey. Mine was an exception to the rule:-) !)