"our Sqn boss didn't like the colour"
A Stn Cdr at Waddington also stopped us wearing brown lightweight boots because of the colour. Stores were not too happy when we tried to hand back perfectly serviceable brown boots in exchange for black lightweight boots. He also insisted that AWACS rear crew wear the aircrew knife on flying suit - this after much work making the successful case not to wear one (they snagged on the seat and console table, damaged the seat cushions, and generally got in the way). Wonder if it was the same chap?