Issue 388: Flood Assist & Hudson’s Scary Flight

To Gordon Reid, one of our finest

I started our last issue with the sad news that one of Australian Aviation’s greatest contributors, Eric Allen, had died. I’m saddened to tell you we’ve lost another of our greats: Gordon Reid.Gordon created our iconic Traffic column, where he charted the comings and goings of aircraft in Australia. To enthusiasts, it was the ultimate logbook, produced with eye-popping detail. To industry insiders, it was a peerless market intelligence tool, revealing which aircraft were being deployed on which routes. I’ve been told by numerous figures how senior airline executives would pack their shelves with back copies of Australian Aviation just to cross-reference his column.

Gordon stepped down nearly three years ago due to poor health, but shortly after I became editor, I had the privilege of interviewing him about his life and the column. He was a kind and generous man with an insatiable appetite for aircraft. In tribute, we’re republishing this feature again. I hope it does him justice.