Loosely connected to aviation
I recall a tale (told by a distant family member who was serving at the time) of an RAF Regt JO, who, on receiving his first mess bill on taking up an exchange post with a Regt from the Household Div, was required to present himself to the CO to explain that said mess bill would put him into severe financial straits. What with it's size and him being only a mere Flt Lt (with family an'all).
"What do you normally pay?"
"About £100 a month, Sir"
"So be it! £100 a month it is then"
And so, for the rest of his tour, his mess bill was exactly that, £100 a month!
Probably not true, but would love it to be as Uncle C**** always did tell a good tale....