Permission to grow, sir?

[Fangled]

Hello all.

I'm in the process of applying for the RAF and RN at the moment for aircrew.

I've browsed the forum for a while now and have picked up lots of useful tips for the testing process. However I have a problem which I don't think has been addressed by this forum- well a search brings up nothing.

I'm thinking of growing a moustache, not sure what style yet (possible a subdued handlebar), but I was wondering as this would make me stand out from my other clean shaven (yawn) potential officer colleagues, would it be to my gain or detriment.

When I went to airshows as a boy I noticed the abundance of aircrew with fine follicle features, yet when I go to them now I find there are hardly any. Was there a purge of these chaps or something after the Cold War?!

I think the moustache should make a comeback and I plan to lead from the front. I know I really should be worried about other things such as group planning, leadership exercises and what not (plus the fitness test), but I don't want to ruin my chances within the first minute of arriving.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

[Arty]

It's a great idea.

But why not post a photo of yourself first for us to judge whether it would really suit you?? ;)

[Bismark]

Fangled,

Don't do it - take a look at how many senior RAF officers have moustaches and how many RN have beards - answer almost nil! They are outdated and give the impression of a regressionist organisation.

Fly Navy!

[woptb]

Body art has not been in vogue for some time,why not show real commitment & have a Eurofighter tattooed on your forehead.

[airborne_artist]

You could always have a Prince Albert installed in the correct manner - that would impress the MO when you have to cough, and these days a good many of them are ladies - you'd be in like Flynn :E

[Tiger_mate]

The reason that a moustache is not voque these days is simple:

A certain Canadian gentleman who joined the RAF simply because he wanted to fly the Wessex, who played the bagpipes upon deck in the Gulf on a somewhat sad day, whose dog (Bulldog of course) is called Winston (as in Churchill) has the finest moustache on the planet, (handlebars of course) and nobody in the UK mil is capable of beating the said canadians facial features.

However not content with being a Canadian in the RAF, he nows flies for the RNLAF, so perhaps we should start a new trend quickly whilst he is out of country.

You can tell hes not really an englishman, because as well as speaking academic (no accent at all) english, he can get his tongue around Dutch words, something most if not all brits find nigh on impossible.

Off down to the gentlemans shop for some shaping wax, theres a good chap.

[Fangled]

Arty- I'd love to post a pic but I think the equation goes:

my mug with moustache + anonymous mil forum= end of flying career before its begun.

Sorry!

AA- made me chuckle as I sit here in the boring office!

TigerMate- If its true, a fascinating story.

This advice is making me think twice. Maybe a test of character.
(This is genuine by the way, I'm not taking the rise just because the mil has an illustrious history of moustachioed men.)

[Safety_Helmut]

This advice is making me think twice. Maybe a test of character.
(This is genuine by the way, I'm not taking the rise just because the mil has an illustrious history of moustachioed men.)
The best post so far !

[lurkposition]

I sported a moustache for 35 years and apart from the periodic discussion with various bosses over the years about the application and interpretation of QR 209 I had no bother. I may look bad enough with it but you should see me without it! My wife would leave me if I shaved it off again.

I did attend OASC during 1968 with the embryonic wisps displayed....and was still selected to join.

Note: beware that certain activities provide one with a greater understanding of the mechanics involved in the efficiency of velcro.

Fangled, Good Luck with the interviews.

[Fly Better!]

Have you considered having your nether regions waxed?

Talking to a member of the opposite sex recently about the merits of 'brazilians' and 'holywood' styles I was reliably informed that there is now a style called a landing strip. Perhaps if you were to have one of these perfomed on yourself you might improve your chances of success? After all teh process does involve wax.

Oh and I did ask permision to land my 'aircraft' at her airport but was informed it wasn't open to business without a slot, I am still trying to work out what she meant. :confused:

[Fangled]

Good grief! Prince Alberts......Tattoos on foreheads.....de-licing of southern regions, yet moustaches are greeted with a hint of ridicule! Lurkposition, I think the battle may be long and hard, but we will win the war eventually! I will join you.

[BEagle]

Never trust anyone with face fungus! It gives them the facial appearance of an ar$ehole with dentures......

Or a Green Party councillor.

And that's just the women.......

Don't forget that with a moustache you run the risk of the 'velcro effect'...:E

[MightyGem]

I grew one once for a competition on a long and boring exercise. "If you think you're coming anywhere near me with that, you can think again" says Mrs MG when I returned home. :(

[station workshops]

Fly Better, the Brazilian & Hollywood are for females. Apparently the male equivalent of getting denuded is known (in New York, San Francisco, Brighton et al) as a "back, crack & sack". Makes the eyes water just thinking aboout it.

Having left the mob, I treated myself to a beard and moustache for the first time since my teens, a real one this time, not bumfluff. I shared a civvy office with a colleague for two years. One weekend I got bored of the facial hair and decided to remove it. I took fright half way through and opted to keep the upper lip. Into work on Monday, colleague I'd known for 2 years looked up and said "T****, I didn't realise you'd grown a moustache!"

Fangled, it's all about fashion and currency. As I look back through my photos of mountain rescue time in the early eighties, hairy was the order of the day, in some instances way beyond QRs. These days in MR it's completely the opposite, shaved heads and baby smooth cheeks. By all means get some time in and give it a go then. Until then I'd be with Arty on this one.

[hobie]

They do seem rather popular ? .... :p


http://www.handlebarclub.org.uk/templepub47.jpg

[petitfromage]

Isn't the correct terminology for males who shave/wax their privates "the extra inch". :}

As for growing a 'tash', surely its a fashion accessory reserved for pedofiles and ex-matelots living in Bangkok? ;)

[Onan the Clumsy]

I have a problem which I don't think has been addressed by this forum- well a search brings up nothing.You'd better check JetBlast :(





Hint: Hitler and Stalin had moustaches

[Matt Skrossa]

Isn't the correct terminology for males who shave/wax their privates "the extra inch". :}
As for growing a 'tash', surely its a fashion accessory reserved for pedofiles and ex-matelots living in Bangkok? ;)
Pedofile..... Is that some sort of equipment used my 'nail technicians' to trim toenails??
As for ex-matelots living in Bangkok, provided they've had the chop and aren't sporting too much facial hair I can't see the prob!

[Tourist]

Fangled.
You appear to have a personality.
Don't waste it where it won't be appreciated.
Come join the RN instead.
:ok:

[BEagle]

Where a 'back, slack and crack' and a 'Prince Albert' will make you particularly welcome amongst Pusser's golden rivet seekers......

[BN Boy]

Tiger Mate, may I first correct one item appearing in your story: the afore mentioned bulldog was a 'Watson', as in Sherlock Holmes, not 'Winston'. But you're right, the Canadian is a legend of our time.

Fangled, The Moustache is a wonderful idea. Whilst sporting a hirsute upper lip you will be automatically singled out as gentleman from the off. I believe the boarding officers will be fairly jumping for you to sign your life away.

It is true that the 'tache has wanned away from it's glory years when Spitfires and Lancs ruled the skies. However, on certain SH sqns it is making a redoubled comeback. In one years time I predict it will be common place among wocka mates to be sporting the mentioned facial article. Obviosly, it will take some time for the FJ fraternaty to catch up with this vogue...mostly because those lot can't grow facial hair.

If you havn't already done so, I would recommend getting yourself down to Curzon Street and getting a consultation with the gentlemen at Geo F Trumpers. They will advise you on exactly what sort of moustache would suit you and supply you with all the required grooming products.

Good Luck, Old Bean!

[BEagle]

No you won't - as a 'slug balancer' you'll be seen as almost as big a tit as that ar$e 'Pablo' M*s*n.....

Face fungus is just soo 1950s.....

[lurkposition]

Beagle protests too much. Have his whiskers become white, frail and sparse?
He could always dye them!

[airborne_artist]

If you want to get yourself noticed at OASC/AIB you could always try the trick that worked for those of us pre Playstation - enthusiasm, sporting ability, and a desire to lead :{

Just a thought, but perhaps not taught in school these days?

[Fangled]

Ah, the 1950's......when men were men and I wasn't even born. On some of this advice I suppose I could go to my local ladies hair salon and ask Sharon for some nice blonde highlights, razor sharp sideburns and my eyebrows waxed.

Thanks for the tips BN Boy, duly noted and I will be on the look out for any 'tashees at this years RIAT! (No wonder the wokka has the best display by far!)

In the meantime I think all this moustache business is taking my focus off the real job at hand. I'd better reach the egg before I can walk!

Thanks all I'll let you know of the results, good luck in all you do.

Fangled

[hobie]

you recall the photo I posted, taken of members of
....... the "Handlebar club"

well this evening I received a very pleasant email from a member of the very same club (mid 50's).... he named a few of the guys in the photo ....

It's a small world .... that's for sure .... :)

I have to confess .... my Father sported one for many years ..... 'Spit' Pilots .... don't you just love them ... :p

http://www.handlebarclub.org.uk/templepub47.jpg

[Bclass]

A certain Canadian gentleman who joined the RAF simply because he wanted to fly the Wessex.
Did anyone ever ask him if he wasn’t a tad disappointed with what he found???

[Mike Reheat]

Fangled...., a word of warning..., if you do decide to sport some face fungus..., take care when challenged to down an afterburner or similar at HH..., the smell of burned hair will stay with you (and others in the vacinity) for weeks :ooh: !!!!

[Tanewha]

No, no, no and no again. Please, no more men with tashes. It never looks good. What are you trying to hide. Despite the fact, of course, that it will age you terribly.

[Fangled]

Well, there I was ready to leave the fine arena that is Pprune and concentrate on AIB/ OASC, and then Mike Reheat and Tanewha pop up!!

Mike Reheat- What's HH? At a guess I'd say......I really don't know! Hupper Heyford?!

Tanewha- I take it you're the opposite of sex to me? (Me male, you female). I'm not trying to hide anything, merely trying to say that I disagree with all this metrosexual malarkey and that if more men grew 'tashes they were proud of the maybe it would have a good effect on society. :=

I'd rather go for a drink with the boys from the Temple Public House than some of the idiots that pass for university educated people these days. (Worlds youngest grampa at 21).

PS- if anyone is involved with Junglies please could they PM me with details about the 'job', it's something I'm really interested in but know little about.

Thanks everyone.

Fangled

Edited due to spooling mistooks

[Fangled]

Mike Reheat- No need, it's Happy Hour.......

[Firestreak]

Fangled, it all depends on what gender you are, please let us know!