Posted onto Bevs for my second ops tour after a first one in Aden on 'pigs'. What a change! Everything enormous - particularly the flight deck. The RAF's first Perf A aircraft and spectacular v2 climbs for air displays. Initially, 5 crew , Capt, Co , Nav, Sig and AQM - no .FE. Mainly electrics with the 'Hammond Organ' as the flight deck centre piece. The BTH units at the bottom of the HO usually needed 'impact servicing' on start-up, so the lower panels took on toe-cap outlines. The cover of the battery box on the flight deck made a 'morning after' recovery area and shielded the vast Nife cells. STR18 instead of 1154/55 meant we could actually make, and maintain, radio contact. 2300, ECB in the cruise gave around 165kts at 8-10,000. The Centaurii were oil thirsty and needed regular in-flight replenishment via the 'dog-kennel' transfer pump - a 'diet' of 20-a-day Woodbines didn't help! Para-drops could be made from the freight bay or the boom - apparently the boom was favoured --"like riding down a kid's slide". Initial trials of combined freight and paras was disconcerting - the paras (dummies) disappeared and were 'found' in the freight bay. This lead to the fitting of 'Elephant ears' either side externally. The ability to reverse on the ground was useful but, as discovered at Dishforth, needed the correct sequence of prop-interruptor switches (anti-ice) to avoid being stuck in reverse! They also discovered that applying the brakes in this condition was 'not a good thing'!! Started on 30 at Dishforth, went to 53 at Abingdon when 30 went to Eastleigh. One particular tragedy, but hugely enjoyed for many reasons, aeronautical and otherwise. Regrets? - it was almost never used for its design purpose and the Mk 2 ( 4 Tynes and pressurised) was turned down and would have given Fat Albert a run for its money! "Clear to join airways, level Fl 70 at Compton" A lifetime's experience in 2 and a half years!