I imagine our Valiant, Victor and VC-10 And Tristar crews did a the height of the Cold War ...
as a minor diversion from the topic. Q1 and Q2 would normally hold RS10 With the odd period when one would slip down to RS30 whilst they rotated a jet from the line for routine flying scheduling; The VC-10s would normally hold RS60 to 3hrs from the Sqn or home etc.
But I remember one exercise when 216 declared on state at RS30 and I asked how long they could maintain on state.
After a short pause they replied that they’d set up stretchers in the back and were set up to empty the toilets and resupply rations - but one of the crew had leave booked in two weeks time.....
(I know, I know, the amount of time any aircraft could remain “cocked” at a certain RS varied for many reasons. But it was a good line)