On 110 in Burma, there was a superstition that a washing would always be followed by an accident to the airframe involved. This did seem to happen, more frequently than pure chance would suggest.
Moreover, a good coating of oil-soaked dust and mud improved the (already very effective) jungle camouflage, and was better left alone.
Nevertheless some VV-proud crews did do it - with 100 octane, as it was more plentiful than water down on the Flights. Never did it myself.
Last edited by Danny42C; 16th Jul 2018 at 12:24.
Reason: Tidy up.