2 Sqn Mascot(s)
Life-jacket for RAF duck that cannot swim
When Sqn Ldr Andy Tucker was posted from II (AC) Squadron at Marham, and presented the unit with a mascot, a white Aylesbury duck, he could have had little idea of what a tale he was starting. The original duck was lonely, and so a companion was purchased from a local farm. Both mascots were given the honorary rank of Flight Lieutenant, and all seemed well until they were introduced to Marham's emergency water supply lagoon.
Sqn Ldr Mike Toft takes up the story. "The duck came from a farmyard and we believe she had never been in water and so had lost all her essential oils." The new duck was found paddling furiously but only just afloat due to this oil deficiency, as the missing oils waterproof the feathers.
After rescuing the bedraggled bird, it was decided to fit the unfortunate creature with its own life-jacket to enable it to swim and feed with its mate. The duck seems quite happy with this arrangement, wearing the kit with obvious pride. It is hoped that with some rain and constant preening, the vital oils will soon be at a sufficient level to allow normal operations to recommence.
15 July 1998