a good pilot and a lot more besides. he had outstanding skills as a communicator. as chief of the capt to be air base he was a skillful negotiated between the natives and the fort. but your he was a good diplomat. and he succeeded perfectly eight years after the publication of southern male a film adaptation of the novel was shot in morocco. the stunt double for the lead characters flying scenes was none other than. himself. southern mail and later the novel night flight incorporated experiences from the author's own adventures.