This thread may by now be dead, but if not, it may be of interest to someone that I have an early MacInnes Pterodactyl which was given to me by Don Whillans, and which may have been given to him by Hamish himself.
He used it to climb the Diamond Couloir when he visited Kenya in 1976 or '77. I actually got quite a lot of his gear, some of which I bought, but most he generously gave me for looking after him for a couple of days, and running him to the airport, etc.
I only used the axe a couple of times myself on easy routes, but I then lent it a much better climber, Vince Fayad, who significantly improved its performance by adding a carefully designed wrist strap - which it still has. We talked for many hours in his hotel room - I was originally in awe that I was discussing climbing with one of my three climbing heroes - the others, being Dougal Haston and coincidentally the axe designer, Hamish MacInnes.
He was a very easy going guy and I soon felt at ease. He had stories about many climbs and climbers including Hamish, Dougal and "Christmas Bonus." (Explanation available if needed.) He told me that he rarely had to buy gear, and I have a vague recollection that he said the axe was some of the gear he got from Hamish himself, but I can't swear to that. (Perhaps if Hamish were to read this, he can confirm whether he gave Don one of his early production models.)
The other thing I remember about Don was that, somewhat contrary to his rough appearance, he had a compulsion about neatness. All of his belongings in his hotel room (The Fairview) were arranged in neat stacks. All of his clothes were neatly folded, his shoes and boots lined up in pairs - even his cigarette packet and matches were lined up. What was left of his climbing gear was also neatly arranged - he had sold some of it at the MCK club a couple of night earlier, where he treated us to a fabulous slide show including some of Annapurna. He was so impressed with his Minox 35, I bought one just like it.
When I arrived to take him to the airport for his midnight flight, he was not yet packed, but because everything was so neatly arranged, his final packing was done in minutes - but only his clothes. He looked at the climbing gear that was left, and said, "If you can use this stuff, y'ere welcome to it." I think he enjoyed my stunned look. The nuts and rope are still in Kenya but I brought the axe to the States with me.
Its unlikely I will ever use it again, although I am planning one final trip to Mt. Kenya next year.
Is there a Don Whillans museum that would be interested in the axe?
