My first flight in a Hastings was from Akrotiri to Shajah via Tehran.
First impression was how bloody noisy the clattering engines were on take-off!
For part of the trip we had to wear those awful oxygen masks.
In-flight catering consisted of a stale roll with sliced egg and a lettuce leaf.
There was a tea urn down the rear. Smoking was forbidden.
On the other hand, returning to Akrotiri from a small detachment to Idris, we were given seats on the NEAF CinC's Hastings, who happened to be returning from a visit there. He ensured we were well looked after on that trip.