Originally Posted by
BEagle
Even in the late '80s one could drive to IAM, park at the OM and go in for a coffee and a natter. Then stroll down to the side gate and walk to the pavilions and static display. Then back up the hill to the Officers' Enclosure for tea and stickies whilst watching the displays - all very civilised.
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That was tightened up on in the '80s. When I joined the mess, (suddenly gaining loads of 'friends' who hadn't contacted me in years!) an Officer's Mess ticket would only get you into the OM enclosure via the gate directly off the A325 and there were 'guards' at every airfield side exit to check if you had a ticket to roam the exnibition area.