Legacy Conversations - Arthur Piercy - SAAF Mirage F1 pilot

Thank you Sir for the fantastic story and example you set!!! Looking forward for the next Legacy Conversation 💪💪💪

Thank you for this very powerfull video. You are an inspiration for all. I have worked for about a year in the 3 Sqn and 24 Sqn flight stores. Every time those vlamgatte started, whe ran out to see them take off. It was the best year i had. Can not wait for the next video.

Reading you 5/5. Thank you so much for going deep and sharing so many perspectives as you told the story. I feel the heat, the pressure but also the humanity. God bless you for the next leg of this life's flight plan.

Bless you Arthur. I was a little Boy in Arcadia Primary and then Pretoria Boys High seeing those beautiful F1s fly past everyday and my mind would always drift off to being in that seat and flying that Jet. It was not to be but it was what made me become a Pilot! So you were at the Time one of my childhood Heroes! When around 1990 (I think it was) I read about what happened to you and Major Ed Every, your names stuck with me, especially your Story! Now, so many Years later I have come to finally see you in Person and hear you share your powerful and so personal story!!! What an inspiration!!! Thanks to the Legacy Conservation Channel for these opportunities! Also loved the one with Martin Louw!… All you F1CZ Pilots of 3 Squadron will forever hold a very special place in my heart! Cheers!!! 🍻🦅🫡

So interesting. I was a loadmaster at Rundu at the time of this incident and never knew all the details until now. Just rumours. It was so frustrating to us that we’d off loaded the catch net system intended to be installed at the end of the runway a few weeks before Capt Piercy's contact, and it lay in our warehouse uninstalled. The purpose of the net system was to prevent a runway excursion exactly as happened to Capt Piercy. Of course just a few days later it was installed. Well done on all of your superb work over your entire career Captain !

Ya Airforce, what Airforce 😂

I read a lot of history books, mainly in the military genre. What fascinates me is the bravery of men and women in battle. Something really hit home hard with this episode and that is the bravery of men like Arthur to pull through paralysis and life changing injuries with such guts and determination. Thanks so much for this episode Arthur. In Rhodesia we had a saying the MMWC. It meant The Main Manne What Counts. You are that and more to me. Thank you Sir.

Well done honourable sire. Keep up the good work. From an ex 5 squad chap. Regards Miles Brown

🎉Arthur God Bless 😊

Awesome story Arthur.
As a former Sub Lt SA Navy, I am recovering from my second spinal fusion and can relate to much of your experience.
Gratefully I am walking again and can't wait to get back to my pre-injury life, sports, activities and purpose.
Thank you!
Ken Annandale

Worked with him at Lanseria! Was always a pleasure to bump into Arthur at work. Respect Sir 💪

Respect.

What an YSTER, salute.

I left the army in good shape, but became disabled later in life. Hearing the stories of makers injured and life after the army is life changing. Thanks Artur and Legacy team.🤗🙏

The cockpit of the damaged Mirage was converted into a simulator...Arthur will in all probablility share more later...

So much respect to you!! i enjoyed your sense of humour as well

Salute!

I was at Rundu, in the fire control post radar operater and was will air force colonels,captains when we heard over the radio that impala was coming in hot .
We ran out and sow the jet coming in then ran off the runway ,whereby Sir Arthur had to eject I sow all this as well as fellow soldier's. We later had to cording off the area. But the day feels like the other day. Great memories

I had the opportunity to work ( avionics) on the Mirage F1 AZ at AFB Hoedspruit ' 85 till '87.
My first kite.

Hi Arthur good to see you are doing well,greetings from an ICU medic that was there

Thanks Arthur, I have a friend who knows you who was also a pilot during the war called Ian Furguson.He saw your last at some airshow. Thank you for your service. Regards, Mike former SWATF RM team.

Thank you a great interview....

There was always a crowd outside the ops room door when our kites blasted off. We were aware of the crippled F1 coming back - we stood on the sand embankment which ran parallel to the runway, and my jaw dropped when that fighter raced past us and off the runway, out of sight.
Capt Piercy was one of the few pilots absolutely loved by the ground crews.
I married on the 4th of that month, jumped on a flossie 3 days later for Rundu, leaving my poor honeymoonless lady in a flat in Sunnyside.

What a legend. If my ship comes in we finish that airrie

Sir Arthur, you have lived more than most people today. Amazing.

Ek het het die landing en gebeure sien gebeur. Ek was op die teerpad en het afgetrek toe ek hom sien inkom. Vinnig en lawaaierig. Ek het besef dasr is fout. Die volgende momeny sien ek die uitskietstoel en valskerm en die vliegtuig wat skuiwend so 200m van my af tot stilstsnd kom op die helling vd Omaramba. Ek vertrou dit gaan wel met kaptein Arthur Piercy.

Arthur you are a legend!

Thank your sir for your service and for your experience what you shared with us.
Blessings
Elizabeth de Wet

I first met you Arthur, at the old EAA clubhouse at FAGC back in the 1990s. I have however never heard your full story as described here, but I was transfixed by it. Your story gives meaning to the saying "When the going gets tough, the tough get going"! Sorry to hear that the Seawind project is on hold for now, but hope springs eternal and I expect you have a plan for that as well! Good luck with that!

Nice to hear from you again . . best wishes from all your 1979 STT Bungalow Mates

Just checked with a buddy of mine in the IOM. He's also an ex Rhodie & was at 5 Squadron with Arthur. I may have strapped Arthur in during a weapons camp at 4 Squadron Lanseria in 84 or 85.

Thanks for sharing your amazing tales Arthur

The definition of the word hero. A credit to the human race. Massive respect.

Sir you are a Legend Respect Salute! Thank you for sharing your story.

You are an inspiration to anybody to achieve what ever they want.

What a delightful Podcast - full of enthusiasm and of great motivation to me; thank you.

Thanks Arthur for telling your story. We don't only learn about our history but also life lessons on this channel.

Lots of views and interest
Well done Julle ne

Know about this incident. Red about it later in life and now met the man himself. Thank you Arthur and everyone. Having worked in spinal unit FHVerwoerd and 1 Mil I understand your journey and is so proud of you and your way of life. (Proudly Tampon Tiffie myself)

Thank you Arthur for sharing your story on this channel. I read about your accident MANY moons ago and was pleasantly surprised to see you on this channel. Great respect to you for being such a positive person despite what the life has delt you. I also love your taste in music. Twisted sister was, next to AC/DC my favorite band on the 80's(but dont tell Koos, he thinks it is from the devil😂😂) I salute you and am looking forward to hearing more from you. Also thanx to Vossie

Truly inspiring video Arthur . I can't imagine what you have been through since your accident . Your description of the nurse suctioning out you tracheotomy made me very angry- such lack of sympathy and feeling on her behalf. I only hope that she realised her insensitivity and learned from it. Your acceptance of your situation is admirable and you show tremendous courage in your positive attitude. It was a cruel blow indeed but through your attitude maybe you can help relieve the burden of lesser folk without you strength to cope with adversity so that some good may come from it. I wish you well .

Dude, you are so funny! Such a pleasure to listen to you relate your story! Mr. Piercy..... RESPECT!

Remarkable Arthur. God bless!!

An incredable podcast much respect for your absolute determination , thank you to all , fantastic .

A wonderful story, from a brave man, thank you for your service 🙏

Thanks for taking the time to record your legacy Arthur. I met you and the Seawind briefly at the Potchefstroom airshow many years ago. All the best.

They say don't sign up if you can't take a joke.
Arthur is don't sign up if you can't make a joke!
Much more productive than being bitter.

Hi Arthur Fantastic story-. Did you ever meet with the Cuban in the Mig 23 that fired the missile? Regards, Chris Coomer

what an incredible inspiration

Salute / Saluut.