As a Jnr Tech Airframe fitter at Akronelli in 1973, I was deployed to Malta to be the tyre bay back up to a 4 ship detachment from 56 Squadron. The exercise ran for 4 days and I well remember in that time I replaced 39 main wheel covers (tyres) and 3 nose wheel covers. Having re arranged my social life, my working hours were modified to accommodate the jet. I was told that it was the first diet for a long time that had met their full sortie rate,mind not had delays due to tyres. I have a photograph of OC 56 presenting a young smujsmith with a tankard in appreciation of my voluntary denial of Cisk and Hop Leaf. I will dig out the shot and post it next Wednesday, hopefully someone may recognise some of the cast. Particularly the boss.
Smudge
