Pilots
Easy. Army pilots fly helicopters, Navy pilots fly Sea Harriers and helicopters and RAF pilots float around in fast jets or heavy transport. You can easily recognise an Army pilot by his cravat, loafers and yellow cords, a Navy pilot by his blazer with nautical crest and an RAF pilot by his farah slacks, leather piano tie and slip on plastic shoes.
Do I win?
Do I win?
I tried to transfer to the Navy (at the Navy's suggestion), but the RAF wouldn't allow it. One of my navs tried to transfer to the Army Air Corps for pilot training (at Army's suggestion), but the RAF wouldn't allow it. I have heard of pilots transferring once they had wangled an exchange tour. Ditto with foreign aviators.
So just because a pilot is in one force doesn't mean that they wouldn't be accepted into another, which renders all arguments about capability moot, but I doubt that will stop any of it
About the only relevant question is "Why did you join?"
Best answer I have overheard, at about 9pm in the bar at a Battle of Britain Do.
Civvy "Why did you join the RAF?"
XXV Pilot "I was Drunk!"
Civvy "So, why are you still in after 12 years?"
XXV Pilot "I'm still drunk!"
He was, too.
So just because a pilot is in one force doesn't mean that they wouldn't be accepted into another, which renders all arguments about capability moot, but I doubt that will stop any of it
About the only relevant question is "Why did you join?"
Best answer I have overheard, at about 9pm in the bar at a Battle of Britain Do.
Civvy "Why did you join the RAF?"
XXV Pilot "I was Drunk!"
Civvy "So, why are you still in after 12 years?"
XXV Pilot "I'm still drunk!"
He was, too.
Navy and Army pilots are condemned to fly only horrible clattering things (including Islanders) - and only do so to escape driving boats or scrabbling about in mud and dung.
Whereas RAF pilots fly a full range of aircraft and live (mostly) in vastly superior comfort, unlike the fish-heads and pongos....
Whereas RAF pilots fly a full range of aircraft and live (mostly) in vastly superior comfort, unlike the fish-heads and pongos....
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What are the differences between a British Army Pilot, a Navy Pilot and a Royal Air Force (RAF) Pilot?
Precious little. All three are consummate professionals in their own sphere of operations - although the RAF live in the greatest comfort, with the Navy a fairly close second place and Teeny Weeny Airways a distant third!
Precious little. All three are consummate professionals in their own sphere of operations - although the RAF live in the greatest comfort, with the Navy a fairly close second place and Teeny Weeny Airways a distant third!
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Navy Sea Harriers - LOL
The only good bit of their most recent recruiting TV campaign - and complete lies since they're all razor blades.
The only good bit of their most recent recruiting TV campaign - and complete lies since they're all razor blades.
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Army pilots and Navy pilots tend to go to war with the troops, RAF Troops send their pilots to war.... A much more sensible idea
The RAF has very clever troops, as a rule.
As evidenced by the old joke about the failure of an RAF J/T to salute an Army Major
Major: " If you were in the Army, you'd have to salute me"
J/T: "If I were in the Army, I'd be a Colonel"
That said, I discovered after the invasion of Kuwait that RAF other ranks were extremely aware that their aircrew were off to be shot at whilst they sat 500 miles way playing cards, and they were extra-ordinarily appreciative. My grandfather mended Lancasters, and so I can report it was always thus.
As evidenced by the old joke about the failure of an RAF J/T to salute an Army Major
Major: " If you were in the Army, you'd have to salute me"
J/T: "If I were in the Army, I'd be a Colonel"
That said, I discovered after the invasion of Kuwait that RAF other ranks were extremely aware that their aircrew were off to be shot at whilst they sat 500 miles way playing cards, and they were extra-ordinarily appreciative. My grandfather mended Lancasters, and so I can report it was always thus.