We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our Patron Peter Isaacson this week at the age of 96.
Peter enlisted in the RAAF in December 1940.
After initial training at Somers, he was categorised as a pilot and posted to No.8 EFTS Narranderra for his elementary flying training on Tiger Moths.
Categorised for single engine aircraft he was next posted to Canada for his service flying training at No.2 SFTS at Uplands near Ottawa on Harvards where he gained his wings.
He was next sent to England but because there was a requirement for bomber pilots he converted to multi engine aircraft.
Peter’s first operational trip in a Wellington which was also the first of the thousand bomber raids with Cologne as the target.
Peter joined 460 Squadron and converted onto the Halifax, his first 4 engined type. Half way through the conversion the Halifaxes were withdrawn and he started flying the Lancaster.
He volunteered as a Pathfinder and completed the full Pathfinder tour of 45 operational sorties and was selected to pioneer the East to West route to Australia in a brand new Lancaster, Queenie IV in 1943.
He toured this aircraft around Australia and New Zealand raising funds for War Bonds and achieved a measure of fame for flying it under the Sydney Harbour bridge. This aircraft was badly damaged at Evans Head but was repaired.
Following his Lancaster flying Peter was posted to No1 OTU at Sale to instruct on Beauforts.
He was discharged from the RAAF in February 1946 and went on to a highly successful career as a publisher.
Peter was awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal after completing 22 trips as a Sergeant Pilot and later the Air Force Cross and Distinguished Flying Cross.
We will bring you details of his memorial service when they are announced.
BCCAV wish to extend sincere condolences to Peter’s family at this time.
Bomber Command Commemorative Association Victoria (Inc) 
Hello I always found Peter Isaccson to be a gentleman, though he once described himself to me as “a bit of a rogue”. I once asked him (for my book on The Lancaster Boys) how he crashed his Lancaster at Evans Head. He said “do you want the official story or my story?” I took the official line first. “He said they floated too far down the runway and aquaplaned due to rain on the runway, and went into a ditch removing the undercarriage. Then he gave me his story “I was tired of flying around Australia, doing war bond flights, and did more takeoffs and landings here than overseas so I decided I needed a rest and I got it!” He did. Later Peter went onto instructing at 1 OTU on Beauforts. He was lucky – by the time he arrived the elevator trim problem had largely been resolved wit the result crashes were much lower than before. I have read about this in the book The Beaufort Boys, same author as The Lancaster Boys, both of which are good reads with lots of stories about men like Peter. LEST WE FORGET
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Hello Kim,
Great story about Peter. Having known him personally for a number of years I can vouch for your account!
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Can anyone shed any light on Peter’s time at East Sale on Beauforts? These recollections could help me in writing my book The Beaufort Boys. I can be reached at fawkeskim7@gmail.com
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Hi Kim, I may have some info from Peter’s logbook.Feel free to email me at old cmp.net@gmail.com. Keith
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