In the "olden days" certain mates would don the `special` flying boots with the little leather flap (posing pouch?
) over the laces so that everyone would know what they flew at some point in their career.
The reason for the little leather flap is not often mentioned. The problem was that these mates, or rather 'bona mates', frequently banged out of their jets, or rather 'bona jets' and would often lose their flying boots in the process. It was soon established that the reason was that the laces had rotted due to having been splashed with urine. You see, to be selected to fly the 'bona jet', you had to have a very small willy - which meant an increased risk of widdling over the boots. So these 'pi$$ flaps' were duly incorporated into the boots of the 'bona mates'.....
"Rip the leg pockets off visiting trainee pilots flying suits"
This juvenile activity was inflicted on some UAS girl students by a posse of pointy-head pilots. The UAS boss merely ordered them to replace the girls' flying suits at their own expense, including sewing on name badges and unit badge - and ensured that they would be grounded until they'd completed this task....
Then there was the silly antic of the twenty five-to-three mob down at RAF Mount Pleasant, who would bring some scruffy old bit of mat into the OM bar and only 'allow' their clique of camp followers to stand on it and talk to them. Or rather, listen to them talking....
But the helicopter mates soon sorted this out; one day a grinning JJ appeared with an MS26 or similar at the window..... The window was opened, the dinghy inflated and only those selected by JJ invited inside - including all the females. Soon the only people still standing on the twenty five-to-three mat were a few pi$$ed-off F3 aircrew...
