After completing a period of compulsory military training in 1957 he spent 2 terms as a medical student at the University of Canterbury before leaving to take a job at Kopara Sawmilling Company's Haupiri mill.

[2] Pioneer of the live deer recovery industry in New Zealand's South Island, Wallis built an aviation empire around helicopter operations, pulling valuable animals out of the rugged high country.

[4] His company, Alpine Deer Group, forged trade relationships in Russia, Korea and Hong Kong that saw exports of velvet, antler and pizzle to Asia.

[5] On 7 July 1968 while flying a Hiller UH 12E with passengers Dick Burton and Lin Herron the helicopter hit 33 kV overhead power lines on Queenstown Hill station.

[citation needed] He remained partly paralysed in his left leg, which required him to use a steel (later titanium) calliper extending from the thigh to shoe.

In October 1988, Wallis sold his P-51D Mustang which allowed him to purchase a Supermarine Spitfire Mk XVI, RAF serial TB863 from Stephen Grey in England.

[8] In November 1992, Wallis again crashed the Spitfire when he was caught by a wind gust when attempting to land at the RNZAF Base Woodbourne in Blenheim.

[citation needed] Wallis was a driving force behind the establishment of the New Zealand Fighter Pilots Museum, which was built alongside the Alpine Deer Group offices at the Wanaka Airport.

After attempting to find in Russia suitable Messerschmitt Bf 109 or Focke Wulf 190 wrecks to restore and after being swindled out of US$12,000 for three non-existent Antonov AN-2 biplanes, Wallis concentrated on obtaining the remains of crashed Polikarpov aircraft.

[citation needed] On 2 January 1996, Wallis intended to practise formation flying with Brian Hore and his P-51 Mustang in preparation for the upcoming Warbirds over Wanaka show.

Distracted by the need to meet up with Hore flying overhead and a number of people waiting to watch him take off, he overlooked the rudder setting which is different on the Griffon-engined Mk XIV from the Spitfire XVI which has a Merlin engine and which he had flown the previous day.

The right wing was snapped off and the windscreen and cockpit area were badly damaged as the aircraft travelled upside down for about 40 metres before coming to rest.