How many RAF stations have swimming pools?
Akrotiri boasted the world's only NAAFI beach at Buttons Bay, through the kokinnelli/keo fug I dimly remember there also being a pool at this esteemed establishment. I also spent many a happy afternoon lounging in the pool at the Akrotiri hovercraft and canoe club which included a bar within arm's reach of the shallow end.
Biggin HIll Officers Mess - but you can't quite see the very fine gravel surround, courtesy of a massive miscalculation by the designers of the RAFC Cranwell stand at the air show display 1971 regarding the quantity of gravel needed for a natty border to the stand!
I recall the tale (apocryphal?) from the 80s which went along the lines of a Vulcan being farmed out to an RAF station for retirement. The crew asked to land with as much fuel as possible so that it could be used as a fuel supply for the station pool.
Does anyone know more?
Does anyone know more?
As I understand it, the swimming pool at Odiham, and probably many other military bases, were built by the Nuffield Trust. Unfortunately, the Trust didn’t provide for the maintenance and running costs, which was probably fine in the pre-NMS/Budget days, where money could be lost in the noise. Once costs had to be accounted for, they became more difficult to run, even doing dinghy drills, aircrew swimming tests and the Mountsey Trophy didn’t cover it - hence their demise.
Last edited by chinook240; 6th Nov 2022 at 20:32.
I was at 5FTS, RAF Thornhill, S. Rhodesia between 1951 - 1953. Here's what the pool looked like then.
....and here's what the pool at Changi looked like in 1956
Finally, the pool at the Britannia club in Singapore around 1956-57
....and here's what the pool at Changi looked like in 1956
Finally, the pool at the Britannia club in Singapore around 1956-57
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Originally Posted by MightyGem;[url=tel:11451641
11451641]Gütersloh had one. We broke the ice doing dinghy drills one year. 
Due to some quirk of the 'Green Shield' system in around 1973/4, one chap turned up at RAFC already as a Flt Lt - and was higher up the Air Force List than his flight commander!
When advised by the PEdO of the PT requirements, which included swimming, he came out with the immortal phrase "Sir, you don't understand. I don't swim, I bathe!"
When advised by the PEdO of the PT requirements, which included swimming, he came out with the immortal phrase "Sir, you don't understand. I don't swim, I bathe!"
No quirk BEagle, when I turned up as RAFC, I arrived as a Flt Lt and senior to my flight commander and in fact, on one occasion, invited him to leave the mess if he could not behave properly.
