RAF Transport Command remembered?

[Dawdler]

A few years ago I read an exellent book of reminiscences by a flight deck operator (Pilot/CoPilot/Engineer) of his time in RAF Transport Command. It is unforgiveable I know, but I am afraid I have forgotten both the title and the authors name. Can any forumite please throw me any scraps of information which may prove to be useful in tracking down the book?

I would be very grateful.

D.

[Gainesy]

Can you remember the era or aircraft type? There haven't been that many published so it should be fairly easy to track it down with a bit more info.

Course, I don't suppose you remember the ISBN off-hand?:)

[ExAscoteer]

Possibly either:

'Tales From The Crewroom'

or

'Specialist Aircrew'

Both by Sqn Ldr Dave Berry recounting his time on Britanias and the 'Changi Slip'.

[Blighter Pilot]

Tales From The Crewroom?

David Berry with cartoons by 'Holly'

ISBN 0-85045-977-X

[VinRouge]

I bet it wasnt "Married to Albert" by Annie Waller!:}

[Pontius Navigator]

Ascoteer, I would have sent this by PM but . . .

I think I might know DB.

There was an aircrew RO at HQSTC A6 Comms. Met him a couple of times, interesting bloke. Came to inspect our comms setup and spent most of the time telling me about a bus shelter up in the Shetlands that had its own website complete with webcam.

The bus shelter had been adopted by the local community and had net curtains, a carpet, electric fire (no electricity) and many other creature comforts like table, chair, flowers etc.

Does that seem like the same cookie?

[ExAscoteer]

I'm not sure it's the same guy PN.

The DB I knew started off on Meteors then QFI'd then went to Brits. I know he did a tour at Manby at HQ25 Gp and a tour as an Ops Controller at Upavon, but I don't think he was ever at HQSTC.

After Brits he was at Boscombe on the A&AEE.

I met him at Lyneham where he was the CGI on the Herc OCU (and an excellent instructor for a/c Performance, RTOGs, etc). I believe he retired in the mid '90s.


I have a signed copy of 'Tales From The Crewroom' and, although it's about Britanias it is (IMO) the best book written about AT.

Certainly it reflected my Ascoteering on Hercs!

[ARCHIE1]

Just a pedantic note here. It's Britannia with one 't' not two. Brittany Ferries have two 't's but then that's where they are from whereas the Whispering Giant was British. I only mention this because I was soundly b*llocked by my Flight Commander for spelling Britannia incorrectly in my first log book entry on 511 Sqn: never again! And I'm sure it is DB we are talking about, fine airman, great author.

[ExAscoteer]

Edited to take account of 511 Sqn sensitivities.:ok:

Sorry about the miss - spelling.:O

[Pontius Navigator]

ExA, quite right, this other guy was not a pilot.

[Dawdler]

Possibly either:

'Tales From The Crewroom'

or

'Specialist Aircrew'

Both by Sqn Ldr Dave Berry recounting his time on Brit\tanias and the 'Changi Slip'.Thats it! "Tales from the crewroom" I remember the "Changi slip"
I also recall that he was told (to his horror) by the leader of a group of Marines that they were dropping off (I think) at Aden words to the effect of : "We don't know what we're going into here, we may have to fight our way off the aircraft!"

Thanks so much for the information and the effort that all that replied have put in.

D.

[Gainesy]

Ding!
Next Please.

Was commenting t'other day that there are very few books about AT, yet an awful lot of the funniest anecdotes on here are from the AT people.

Bout time some of you retired Bev/Hastings/Herc people got writing?