Whilst at CFS(H) Valley in the 70's we were tasked to do a role demo at Clacton on a Sunday. That must be the furthest away from Valley so a refuel was required but the only place nearby available on the Saturday was Woodbridge. A phone call to the USAF base gave us permission as long as we would put our Whirlwind in the static display for their families day. Having arrived at Woodbridge I spent an hour dribbling fuel into our trusty steed and, having made sure it was presentable for the next day we retired to a local hostelry. Next morning we were enjoying a leisurely breakfast at the all ranks mess when two USAF policemen rushed in asking if the yellow helicopter was ours. Yes, we replied thinking they had been admiring our shiny yellow machine. Well you guys had better come quick as someone has pulled the dump switch and the Base Commander isn't too impressed. Off we went to find the Whirlwind in the centre of an immaculate static display sitting in the biggest pool of aviation fuel one could imagine. Yes someone had operated the jettison switch and because we hadn't thought to disconnect the battery it had worked as advertised. Red faces all round especially when we spied the crew of a Dominie next door enjoying the spectacle and anticipating tales they could tell on return to Finningley, the home of RAF SAR.
