RAF Catterick 81sh just before Christmas. WL745 of 8 sqn flown in for the firefighters to play with. Aircraft strip team come down from Lossie and request, amongst other things, a gallon of white paint and brushes.
The Shackleton, visible from the A1, has Merry Christmas written along the side of the fuselage for all to see. Cue sense of humour failure from the "Commandant". Next request from the team is for brushwash and wire wool for paint removal purposes.
Not to be outdone the team use the remaining paint on the upper wings for the slogan "8 IS GREAT". Catterick overhead was very busy in those days Leeming, Teesside etc.
Fortunately the "Commandant was a dwarf and could not see their handiwork.