This thread reminds me of an occasion when I and a colleague (both sergeants) were sent on a Lone Ranger exercise with two Canberras to Gan.
We were both given flying clothing, but my overalls still had Flying Officer rank and wings sewn on.
When we arrived at Gan, the aircrew scuttled off as fast as they could leaving me with my aircraft.
I was in the middle of carrying out the A/F when a corporal sauntered up.
Corporal: 'Wot' you doing, Sir?' (I was opening the hydraulic reservoir panel)
Me: Sergeant actually, I'm doing the A/F'.
Corporal: 'You're not supposed to do that, Sir, that's what I'm here for'.
Me: No, that's OK, I'll finish it'.
Corporal: 'You're not trained to do it'.
Me: Actually, I am'.
Corporal: 'You may miss something!'
Me: 'Hopefully not, I'm flying back to Wyton in this thing tomorrow'.
Corporal: All the more reason for me to do it'.
At this point my colleague saunters up, having heard the conversation and having already removed his flying suit.
Colleague: You're at it again, Sir, look what happened when you tried to remove that engine'.
Corporal (flabergasted) 'What?'
Colleague: He does it all the time'.
Colleague and I collapse in hysterics. Corporal totally confused until he remembers my first riposte and sees the light. Exit irate corporal muttering about engineers impersonating pilots.
You never can tell.
