When going on detachment with 32 Sqdn. from Akrotiri we always
flew in a 70 Sqdn Hastings. The first time I flew in one I was
amazed at how noisy the engines were. Sounded as if all the big ends had gone!
Whenever we flew to Shajah, via Teheran, we had to wear those awful
oxygen masks with the airbag attached. The in-flight catering consisted of a
cardboard box containing a stale roll with some salad and an urn of tea
down the back.
Having seen off our 4 Canberra's, after a small detachment to Tripoli,
we were given a lift back to Akrotiri in the NEAF C in C's Hastings, who had been on a visit to Tripoli.
Can't remember his name but he spent most of the trip chatting to us.
The cabin service was rather better than what we were used to!