Probably the most difficult was the KC-135 with the wretched ‘boom-drogue adapter’
I’d drink to that, Beags; in August 1972 I didn’t know that this machinery existed & the briefing was simply to tell me on which towline I could find one and to see what it was like. The first couple of contacts didn’t work out as the drogue seemed to move away at the last moment; at this stage I noticed somebody looking out of the 135’s rear window & asked what he was doing. Response was “That’s the boom operator, Sir, he’s trying to help you make contact”. When I replied “Please ask him to stop doing that” , the situation improved no end........