Beardy- did you have to mention that portrait of Prince Charles and the F4? i have seen several units where it has taken "Pride of Place" usually in mess foyers. As a Squipper and a Phantom phreak I wince every time that I come across one. I am sure that it is a very nice portrait and it's not the artists fault that the Aircrew Equipment Assembly (Flying Clothing) Torso Harness/Lifepreserver that HRH is modeling must have come straight off the Clothing Store (Sorry- Supply Squadron) shelf.
No doubt it cost the RAF a fortune to have it painted so you would have thought that someone would have taken the time and trouble to provide kit that was complete and had at least seen the inside of a Survival Equipment Section to be assembled and fitted with it's survival aids.
OK-OK I know its just a painting.
At least i always made sure that Beagles kit was 100% when I was his F4 Squadron Cpl Survival Equipment Fitter.
Squipper at 74??. ONCE A SQUIPPER ALWAYS A SQUIPPER
