I knew him as an aquaintaince for over 30 years and he was one of those great unassuming Australian quiet achievers. A truely warm person and one who never believed in his own importance. He was a straight shooter of tremendous capability and resiliance. I must have visited Scone 30 or 40 times over the years and every time I was there he made time to talk to me and explain what he was up to and why- He genuinely wanted to share his passion with others but not his ego On several occasions I turned up there at Scone unannounced as I was passing through and Col would pull one or more of the aircraft out so I could photograph it and talk over it - The last time was when his beautiful second P40 rolled out a couple of years back - Col and the boys actually pulled it out of the hanger and towed it all the way out into the middle of the airfield so I could get the best shots of it. There was no fanfare or self promotion they just wanted to share it with me. In short Col really "got" what Warbirds" and historic aviation is about at grassroots level.

Col saved from ruin some great aircraft including the beloved Spit , The Mustang , The 2 P40s, Birdog and his "Bridge too far" The Oscar now in the US. His greater work however in my opinion was that he tirelessy exhibited his aircraft everywhere for everybody and mainly at considerable expense to himself - He was almost single handed responsible for the early growth of Flying Warbirds in Australia.

I will miss him as will we all
- John Parker 8/12/2007

My first vision of both a Spitfire and Mustang in the air for real were back in the golden days of the early 80,s at Moree. To the eyes and ears of an impressionable ATC cadet the experience never left the memory.To dare to dream is a curse but one richly rewarded in the actions to see it through to the end and to share it with others..That is a gift.To Col Pay..Thank you... Blue skies and one final thing..'Old pilots never die,they just fly higher".
- 8/12/2007