Save the BEagle!

[fobotcso]

In another thread BEagle has said:

"....I'm not expecting to wear blues again - or a green bag, for that matter. Currently on annual/resettlement/terminal leave with 101 days until the F1250 gets handed in......when told last year that it was going to be a ground tour for me this Spring, I pulled the black-and-yellow...."

This is appalling and cannot be allowed to happen. BEagle has been one of the most consistently balanced and informative contributors during the 4-5 years I've had visitiing rights here. (Ignore the date of registration below). Notwithstanding the odd clash here and there.

Seriously, that is exactly what I did some 16 years ago. It wasn't so much the fact that a ground job was in the offing, but the quality of that job.

Don't underestimate the emotional shock that comes with handing in that 1250. Even though your Pension will be paid by the new "Veterans Agency".

"Courage, BEags"

[BEagle]

That's kind of you, chum.

But there are others who, shall we say, haven't exactly shared your views regarding my posts........

Oh well........9000+ hours, 5000+ on the VC10, 3000+ QFI-ing, operational on Vulcan, Phantom and VC10 - and only one 6-week ground tour in 30 years. Not too bad a time, I guess - and I can still remember when there were more carrots than sticks.

[soddim]

Go for it BEagle - when I stopped banging my head against the wall the lack of pain was wonderful. There is life outside the RAF as the retention figures testify.

And (allowed to start sentences with and in civilian writing!) we can still enjoy your prune posts.

[WE Branch Fanatic]

Nevermind BEagle Sir, after the coup there will be a ministerial post for you....:D

[FJJP]

Beags, good luck! Someone on another topic warns that the grass is not always greener on the other side. That can be true, but like someone else, I too found that the bliss of no more pain from bashing the brick wall is exquisite! And in my case, the grass is definately greener...

I still miss the flying and the great times with the guys on det, but I don't miss the rest of the cr*p we were subjected to on a daily basis.

No doubt you'll find your niche in a second career - or is it sail round the world on a 64 foot yacht!!??

Look forward to your continuing contribution...

FJJP

[Charlie Luncher]

Beags

Never had you at a retirement age;)

Just out of interest what is a vulcan, phantom and VC10:=

Good luck old fella

[Dan Winterland]

Good luck mate. I don't think you will regret your decision. Having been out of the mob for 18 months with one redundancy behind me and the current job looking a bit shakey, I can't say I have regretted leaving.

[BEagle]

Thanks chums!

DW - why is there so much panic out there about SARS when malaria is still rife in much of the world?

What were the Vulcan, Phantom and VC10, CL? That's a bit rich coming from a modified Comet mate!

[Jackonicko]

How has that Comet Mate been modified, BEags? I sense a scoop.

I think that offering you a ground tour as CAS was a damned cheek really?

What is next? Sponsored reservist FSTA Squadron Commander, perhaps?

Very best wishes and best of British to you whatever it is.

[jobsworth]

Good luck. Its been interesting to read your often informative posts.

[Big Tudor]

BEagle

As one who has been through the transition from blue to reality, I can say you will only look back with fond (if slightly alcohol blurred) memories. Civvy St. ain't that bad, certainly compared to New RAF. I too remember when the carrots outnumbered the sticks. When a/c such as the Lightning, Phantom, Vulcan & Shackleton were charged with the defence of Englands green & pleasant land. Was the RAF better in those days or have my specs just become more and more rose tinted?
I look forward to reading the resettlement diaries of BEagle, aged ** and a half. Could be the next great best seller. Perhaps a Pprune bash is in order to welcome Beags into the land of milk and honey. :)

[Gainesy]

BEags,
Have you considered a cross-over to the Army Air Corps?




Gainesy sets DefCon 1 & ducks.:)

[Spugford]

Gentlemen, gentlemen.

Your apparent pride in the fact that you are now out of the 'mob', should surely be aired in a forum other than that entitled 'Military Aircrew', thus leaving us lucky enough to actually enjoy having one of the greatest jobs in the world to discuss less morale-sapping subjects.

Best of Luck BEags, probably see you at an airshow reminiscing about 'the good old days'. :zzz:

[FEBA]

Since all of those 'out' spend all of their time talking about when they were 'in' one can only assume they should never have left (save those that were kicked out). Stay in mate it's no where near as rosey out as some would claim

[Dunhovrin]

BEags,

As others have said -don't let being in civvie strasse stop you from still contributing here. Those of us with grace and experience have a lot more to offer than small minded rodents like Spufgord. One day when she's finished her first tour she'll understand.

Keep posting...

PS. And Soddim - agree with the grammar mate - now to just split an infinitve...

[soddim]

Spugford - the forum is titled "Military Aircrew" and it is not just for the RAF. Not everyone who leaves the RAF stops being military aircrew.

FEBA - yes, we do spend a lot of time with the rose tinted glasses on, reminiscing about our experiences in the RAF but it was nothing like the RAF of today and I suspect more than a few of us left for precisely that reason.

Freedom is great - everybody should try it.

[TomPierce]

Yeah Spugford, bit presumptuous of you to assume that only SERVING Military Aircrew should be "allowed" on PPRuNe. Very naughty that! You have a right, and so do those who have seen better days but are still the cream on the top.

BEags has been a major contributor to this forum and long may it continue. He has also been an arbiter and godfather to the forum, and has offered advice and common sense that many a poster has taken heed of. Not many of those attended here can claim that I'll be bound.

BEAgs, please continue to grace the "halls" of this forum with your advice and guidance.

ONE 9mm at 30 paces to the first person who gives me grief!

Can I come to the party please? What a party THAT will be. :ok:

[Samuel]

I've already commiserated with the good Beagle, [some time ago actually when his 'yellow and black' comment first appeared!] because he is obviously about to say goodbye to something he is clearly very good at, and will miss!

I've met other Beags. One in particular that I am aware of in New Zealand changed air forces to avoid a ground job! He went to the RAF and flew Hunters and Javelins instead. He only came back when we sold the Canberras to India and bought Skyhawks, which he flew for some years during which he spent a mere few weeks flying a desk. When the inevitable looked irreversible, he went to Air New Zealand. When that ended he flew various Warbirds such as the Mustang and Harvard around!

A lovely man!

Well done Beagle!

This forum by the way, is Military Aircrew: "and the backroom boys and girls without whom nothing would leave the ground"!:ok: You don't have to be aircrew to appreciate the Beagles of this world.

[soddim]

Well said. I've met many fighter pilots and not all of them flew fighters.

[RRAAMJET]

Congrats, BEags, I agree with others that have posted so far: your posts have been informative and balanced, laced with that dry Sqn-wit that is one of the main things I miss about the RAF...

Exactly a decade ago, I put in my papers...and I have to say, it's been a fun world-tour since. Here's wishing you the same variety that I've been fortunate to have; I'm sure there's "an airfield somewhere in England" that is soon to be poorer for its loss...

Come and join the ex-RAF enclave we're creating here in Texas (some fishheads, too, to serve the master-race and steer our party-boats for us...ahem...)

The pi$$-up at Brize should be one for the record books... :ouch:

[Spacer]

I'm not sure if anyone saw it, but on last night's Simpsons, at the start of the Itchy and Scratchy cartoon, it had the title "The Beagle has landed". Something you want to tell us Beags?? :p

[Dan Winterland]

Any similarity between BEagle and Homer Simpson is purely coincidental! ;)

[Flatus Veteranus]

BEagle

It is sad that you are leaving the "mob", but I can well understand your feelings in the present climate.

If you have had enough of poling around, or the airlines do not attract you (and most of my mates who went civil after Suez confessed that they were soon bored out of their minds), might I be so presumptious as to suggest that you look for some outlet for your writing skill, as well as your deep knowledge of military aviation?

I am sure you would do well as a free-lance journo. And (although they may not recognise it) there are at least two national broadsheets who could use a good aviation correspondent. They seem to employ "defence" editors who who would not recognise an aeroplane if it bit them in the bum.

Good luck, anyway. And I will continue to look forward to your posts here. Rgds - Mike

[Chimbu chuckles]

So what is the plan BEagle..Corporate, Airline... ?

Chuck

[FEBA]

TomPierce ...... Could you actually hit someone with a 9mil at 30 paces !!!!! ;-)

[YakYak]

So then BEags - does this mean you'll have enough spare time on your hands to nip down to Devon for a curry?

Or maybe you could just 'drop in' at the Uni flying club one day instead.

I bet you'll be sorely missed

Yakkers

[BEagle]

Many thanks for all your kind words, fellow PPRuNers!

No plans to fly for the airlines - unless Sir Richard B wants me to fly his Concordes! Now that would be a rewarding job!

Shall be doing a fair bit of GA - hopefully I'll take you up on that beer and curry at Dunkeswell, Yakkers - plus a bit of work now and again for a non-RAF tanker programme.......and lots of sloth!!

[Gainesy]

Have you read Guderian on tanking then?:)

[yodason45]

Just found the bad news thread. The outside can be good but it took me to find a place called Notteatingham to find it. All the best for the future. What's tall, slim and green and F&*%s Skyvans?




Me!!!



As of last week. Don'T