David D. Allyn has led a life that others can only dream about. Adventurer, traveler, sailor, aviator, explorer, and big-hearted bon vivant, Dave came of age while sailing around the world on the last voyage of the tall Brigantine Yankee with all the accompanying tales of drudgery and heat punctuated by terrifying gales, tension amongst the crew members, and a too-close encounter with a one-thousand-pound bull shark. Then there was the time he survived emergency surgery on the ship's kitchen table. An adrenaline junky, Dave also flew planes back in the days when you needed a helmet and goggles to do it. Aviators and historians will delight in his vivid accounts of flying vintage aircraft-139 different types in all, as well as his stories of collecting a large fleet of famous old aircraft and establishing a fixed base operation-it's still there: Dolphin Aviation in Sarasota, Florida-and a museum. These stories aren't just about boats and aircraft, however, they're also about people and pristine landscapes. You'll visit Tahiti, Bimini, and the Galapagos before tourists got there. You'll meet cowboys, mechanics, skydivers, artists, deep-sea divers with a death wish, crazy drunks, and a host of other characters who knew how to live life large. A life-affirming, swaggering book, "Yardarm and Cockpit" is one wild ride without a seat belt.
David D. Allyn has led a life that others can only dream about. Adventurer, traveler, sailor, aviator, explorer, and big-hearted bon vivant, Dave came of age while sailing around the world on the last voyage of the tall Brigantine Yankee with all the accompanying tales of drudgery and heat punctuated by terrifying gales, tension amongst the crew members, and a too-close encounter with a one-thousand-pound bull shark. Then there was the time he survived emergency surgery on the ship’s kitchen table. An adrenaline junky, Dave also flew planes back in the days when you needed a helmet and goggles to do it. Aviators and historians will delight in his vivid accounts of flying vintage aircraft—139 different types in all, as well as his stories of collecting a large fleet of famous old aircraft and establishing a fixed base operation—it’s still there: Dolphin Aviation in Sarasota, Florida—and a museum. These stories aren’t just about boats and aircraft, however, they’re also about people and pristine landscapes. You’ll visit Tahiti, Bimini, and the Galapagos before tourists got there. You’ll meet cowboys, mechanics, skydivers, artists, deep-sea divers with a death wish, crazy drunks, and a host of other characters who knew how to live life large. A life-affirming, swaggering book, Yardarm and Cockpit is one wild ride without a seat belt.
David Allyn (Albert DeLella) was raised in the depression years. His father was a French horn player. His mother studied voice as a child in Naples Italy. No doubt a musical family. He was forced to work at odd jobs to keep food on the table and to pay for clothes. Sang on all the radio stations Hartford Connecticut had to offer. WTHT, WTIC, WDRC and on a neighboring town of New Britain with the call letters of WNBC, until FCC changed them. Joined Jack Teagarden in 1940, was drafted into the 1st Army Division, fought in North Africa, fought in Kasserine Pass, the Armys first defeat. Received a Purple Heart at El Guetlar, Tunisia. Sent home, joined Van Alexanders band at Roseland Ballroom. Joined Boyd Raeburn and became an heroine addict for 9 years. Was arrested for forging scripts served 23 months in Sing Sing and Dannamour prisons. Upon release made albums with Johnny Mandel, did Steve Allen shows with whom he wrote a few songs. Also became an addiction counselor on four programs, still continuing to sing and write music. His book covers most of the glory, and pains of hell, in his life.
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