1066,
a lot of the initial discussion about WRAF loadmasters coming to the Hercules centred on the 'are they strong enough' factor. This referred to the operation of the crew entrance door, para doors and escape hatches. The only way to find out was to try it. As a five foot seven 140 lb male I thought if I could cope so could most of them. Remember the USAF and other air forces already had female loadmasters, but hey we always reinvent things don't we.
They were posted to route squadrons only because they did not do the para course portion of the ALM training. At this stage ALMs were still physically involved in paratroop despatching.