In 1964 at Linton-on Ouse two young gentlemen after a particularly alcoholic Dining-In night took it into their heads to fly one of our Vampire T11's to Germany. They managed to open the hangar doors and were trying to push the aircraft out but got tired and gave up and went back to the mess to bed.
How did they get caught? One of them got a bit hot and bothered and took off his bow tie and left it in the cockpit. Unfortunately his name was written on the tie.
It was all a bit hushed up and no action as far as I am aware was ever taken against the two other than an almighty rollocking. As far as I can remember one of the two was subsequently Court Martialled for low flying - twice. The other one made one star.
It wasn't only Canberra that had attempts made on them!
ACW