Thursday 27th May 2021

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BOOK REVIEW  By Peter Baker

NORMAN CONQUEST: One man's tale of the highflying adventures and a life in the fast lane 

The title might be shorter than is usual, but it sums up Vic Norman’s approach to life nicely: For goodness sake, let’s just get on with it!

Two hundred and seven-two pages copiously illustrated and dedicated to one of life’s true adventurers, Vic Norman grew up spoiled, money no problem, with long holidays in the south of France, along with the best in toys and ice-cream. He was educated at Millfield, so you get the picture. Vic certainly suffered adolescence better than most, with glamorous women, parties, fast cars and aeroplanes. And he was still only sixteen!

During WWII his father built up a very successful precision engineering company specialising in aviation parts supply and employing some 300 people. He owned a series of aircraft including: Percival Proctor, several de Havilland Doves and Herons, plus a Miles Marathon, a much larger aeroplane dubbed ‘the flying showroom’, which was later used to promote his jukebox manufacturing business.

Victor lived a privileged life. The day he passed his driving test his father presented him with a new Triumph TR4, and not long after gaining his private pilot’s licence, aged 19, Victor became the owner of a brand new Piper Cherokee. It was, he said, either that or a Ferrari 275 GTB. Tough choice.

Whether our Victor actually has had to work for a living, who knows, but the man was/is certainly a jet-setter who knows all the right people. And that includes the likes of Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason, racer Alain de Cadenet, Jeremy Clarkson and Red Arrows leading pilot, Andy Offer. I can confirm that in 1978 Victor owned a Ferrari dealership.

Presumably bored, he then went into the wing-walking business. This consisted of buying up old biplanes, and then persuading attractive young ladies to risk their necks whilst having their photos taken for the likes of Brietling and Cadbury’s.

Needless to say, during moments of relaxation he’s competed on long distance car rallies, gone speed-boating and ridden motor cycles to places others have never heard of.

He married his very understanding wife Anne 50 years, ago and they still live together, some achievement I’m guessing, in itself. This book, written by himself, is a great read, full of fun and name-dropping, and it could have been much longer than 85,000 words but, as he freely admits, he started to get bored. Playboy? Possibly. But his achievements, including Display Aviation Examiner, Honorary Air Commodore of the Royal Air Force and Ambassador to the Royal Air Force Association, speak for themselves.

Published by our friends at Porter Press and available now, Retro-Speed Magazine awards it a full five stars. Super value at only £45.00, or less using or discount code.

NORMAN CONQUEST: One man's tale of the highflying adventures and a life in the fast lane
Written by Vic Norman
ISBN 978-1-913089-24-5
Available from Porter Press International
Price £45.00