I was lucky enough to get an overseas Summer camp to Malta in I think 1976 (?) or thereabouts and we were billeted in Hai Far ?(sp), but did most of the week at Luqa.
As a snco (flight sergeant Staff cadet I think) I was given the chance of a trip in a Nimrod on the proviso that I had my hair cut there and then to bring it to regulation length. To that end, I had a mate in the barracks hack it short with a pair of scissors, looked a right dog's breakfast, but at least it was short !
And so on the bus to Luqa, only to get stood down at the 11th hour as there was "a bit of a flap " on, some vessel of interest that took precedence over our air experience flight.
So near, so far.