Anyone else remember "The Swamp" at APC?
Party in the Swamp:
RSM arrives "rant, rant, rant, rave, rant . And I'm going to speak to your Boss in the morning".
"Why not speak to him now Sir" says "Spiny" Norm, indicating Keith W who was sitting on the bed wearing a knotted hankie on his head!
Refuelling from APFC's at Holdfast.
Double fuel filter changes every lunchtime.
Bobby T releasing 22 litres of OEP70 onto the floor whilst doing a SOAP sample.
"Release the handheld mongoose".
AND I SAW THE "CHILD BRIDES" NIPPLE!
Ooooh its getting better!
lsh
RSM arrives "rant, rant, rant, rave, rant . And I'm going to speak to your Boss in the morning".
"Why not speak to him now Sir" says "Spiny" Norm, indicating Keith W who was sitting on the bed wearing a knotted hankie on his head!
Refuelling from APFC's at Holdfast.
Double fuel filter changes every lunchtime.
Bobby T releasing 22 litres of OEP70 onto the floor whilst doing a SOAP sample.
"Release the handheld mongoose".
AND I SAW THE "CHILD BRIDES" NIPPLE!
Ooooh its getting better!
lsh
Then there was....
Muttley, the Det. dog
Steve M-----t and the goat!
Union Camp, "light guns" (1900kg!), heading and time, min fuel.
"Pins A+B in, pin C is out"
Fun with the atap roof fans
and the best bit of all...
back at Brize, cold air and a tan at Christmas!
lsh
Muttley, the Det. dog
Steve M-----t and the goat!
Union Camp, "light guns" (1900kg!), heading and time, min fuel.
"Pins A+B in, pin C is out"
Fun with the atap roof fans
and the best bit of all...
back at Brize, cold air and a tan at Christmas!
lsh
Avoid imitations
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lsh,
Strewth - the flying black billy goat for the Ghurkas (well, running 1500 feet vertically downwards into the jungle) story is a good one - I've recounted it a few times - who was the pilot though when it appeared in the cockpit; I can't remember?
Talking of flying objects - smoking in the Puma cockpit was allowed if an ashtray was fitted. As a non-smoker, I used to "lose them" - in fact I helped lay a trail of the damn things in the jungle all the way to BGS at Rideau camp - stores eventually ran out of them and it was officially no smoking.
(Cue local natives talking in the jungle watering hole - "Bloody RAF! Last week it was ashtrays - now it's a F>c£ing GOAT)!"
Airdog Muttley with the hare lip from a local's machete bite. She got put on a charge for sleeping on duty and fined some biscuits, IIRC.
Buying a mahogany rocking chair from the Mennonite settlement - landed many times for others - never got one myself!
The mad major at Holdfast "Call me Rocky! Only one thing I'm scared of, don't you know - SNAKES; but I'm going to conquer that fear
".
Shortly afterwards he took a snake off me and it bit him... poor bloke probably still has nightmares
"One Barrel" cheap rum - which got banned after the SMO had it analysed - methyl alcohol sends you blind - can I claim for needing reading glasses these days?
Arriving for my first det - APC swimming pool closed indefinitely just before I got there due to some drunken grunt laying a brown harbour trout down in the deep end. Still got my NAAFI beach towel from Honduras though, twenty five years later. Now that WAS a bargain.
Oh, Happy days.
Strewth - the flying black billy goat for the Ghurkas (well, running 1500 feet vertically downwards into the jungle) story is a good one - I've recounted it a few times - who was the pilot though when it appeared in the cockpit; I can't remember?
Talking of flying objects - smoking in the Puma cockpit was allowed if an ashtray was fitted. As a non-smoker, I used to "lose them" - in fact I helped lay a trail of the damn things in the jungle all the way to BGS at Rideau camp - stores eventually ran out of them and it was officially no smoking.
(Cue local natives talking in the jungle watering hole - "Bloody RAF! Last week it was ashtrays - now it's a F>c£ing GOAT)!"
Airdog Muttley with the hare lip from a local's machete bite. She got put on a charge for sleeping on duty and fined some biscuits, IIRC.
Buying a mahogany rocking chair from the Mennonite settlement - landed many times for others - never got one myself!
The mad major at Holdfast "Call me Rocky! Only one thing I'm scared of, don't you know - SNAKES; but I'm going to conquer that fear
".Shortly afterwards he took a snake off me and it bit him... poor bloke probably still has nightmares
"One Barrel" cheap rum - which got banned after the SMO had it analysed - methyl alcohol sends you blind - can I claim for needing reading glasses these days?
Arriving for my first det - APC swimming pool closed indefinitely just before I got there due to some drunken grunt laying a brown harbour trout down in the deep end. Still got my NAAFI beach towel from Honduras though, twenty five years later. Now that WAS a bargain.
Oh, Happy days.
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HM the Queen arrives at Belize International on Her state visit to Belize 1985.
It is great to see that the two RAF personnel, I believe from Butcher Radar, are paying due respect at the attention as the Queen's Tristar taxies in after landing. IIRC the Royal Engineer detachment were given a direct order not to display the scores they use to award the pilots of the VC10s for their landing skill or to moon the aircraft when HM departed Belize.
Last edited by MReyn24050; 16th Jun 2007 at 17:54.
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I think that I am right in saying that PSP matting had to be laid aside the runway in order that the TriStar could do a 180` at the runways end. This is I believe the reason that the VC10 maintained the route after the RAF got their second hand, never raced or rallied TriStars.
A favourite topic was always the 'names' applied to the airlines of the day. I would be thrown out of big brother for repeating some, but the airlines themselves were:
SAHSA (B727) .........Stay at home...........Stay alive
TACA (BAC 1-11) .........Transport a ........anywhere
TAN..........!
'White knuckle'..Tropic Air (Cessna 208 to San Pedro)
A favourite topic was always the 'names' applied to the airlines of the day. I would be thrown out of big brother for repeating some, but the airlines themselves were:
SAHSA (B727) .........Stay at home...........Stay alive
TACA (BAC 1-11) .........Transport a ........anywhere
TAN..........!
'White knuckle'..Tropic Air (Cessna 208 to San Pedro)
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bigbluecar
During HH Pope JP2nd visit to Beereaze in 1983, TACA stood for " Take A Catholic Anywhere".He was a braver man than I, to kiss that tarmac!
No big ting man. Couldn't agree more. You may recall that in the film "The Dogs of War", Belize International was the Airport used in the film. It must have not cost MGM a penny to shoot that scene as the Airport was exactly as I remembered it when I was there with Sioux Flight 663 Sqn AAC in 1972.
During HH Pope JP2nd visit to Beereaze in 1983, TACA stood for " Take A Catholic Anywhere".He was a braver man than I, to kiss that tarmac!
No big ting man. Couldn't agree more. You may recall that in the film "The Dogs of War", Belize International was the Airport used in the film. It must have not cost MGM a penny to shoot that scene as the Airport was exactly as I remembered it when I was there with Sioux Flight 663 Sqn AAC in 1972.
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bigbluecar.
Showing yer age! I know.In those days I used to catch the 1930hrs bus from outside of the WOs and Sgts Mess get off at the swing bridge walk up Regents Street West past the Bamboo Bay Hamburger Bar walk to the end of the road and meet a certain young lady. At the end of the evening walk back down the road and catch the last bus back to camp. I recall one evening due to a Mess Meeting I got a taxi down and as the cab driver drove up Regents Street West he said "Hey Man this is a bad road" "Oh" says I. "Yes Man" he said "A few weeks ago a guy was knifed over there and a few days later another was shot dead" The things we do when we are young!
The Bamboo Bay Hamburger Bar, the only thing to do with the burgers was to fed them to the cat fish in the river and see how high they would jump.
Showing yer age! I know.In those days I used to catch the 1930hrs bus from outside of the WOs and Sgts Mess get off at the swing bridge walk up Regents Street West past the Bamboo Bay Hamburger Bar walk to the end of the road and meet a certain young lady. At the end of the evening walk back down the road and catch the last bus back to camp. I recall one evening due to a Mess Meeting I got a taxi down and as the cab driver drove up Regents Street West he said "Hey Man this is a bad road" "Oh" says I. "Yes Man" he said "A few weeks ago a guy was knifed over there and a few days later another was shot dead" The things we do when we are young!
The Bamboo Bay Hamburger Bar, the only thing to do with the burgers was to fed them to the cat fish in the river and see how high they would jump.
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bigbluecar
When I were there in '81, you couldn't go out unless you wore long sleeve shirts, and free condoms were available at the guard room. The Bellevue was our favourite haunt, with the house band, The Professionals.
It was much the same in 71. Long sleeved shirts and the free condoms not in packets of three but boxes of 12 Dozen. I still have a LP of the Professionals "The Professionals on Tour" which includes the last track Belizean Bruckdown". Belize is often put down as the "Ar***** of the World" but I thought it was pure magic, I went back in 1985 and 1996. The Bellevue was right on the waterfront as you say a favourite haunt. On the other side of the river was the Fort George Hotel.
When I were there in '81, you couldn't go out unless you wore long sleeve shirts, and free condoms were available at the guard room. The Bellevue was our favourite haunt, with the house band, The Professionals.
It was much the same in 71. Long sleeved shirts and the free condoms not in packets of three but boxes of 12 Dozen. I still have a LP of the Professionals "The Professionals on Tour" which includes the last track Belizean Bruckdown". Belize is often put down as the "Ar***** of the World" but I thought it was pure magic, I went back in 1985 and 1996. The Bellevue was right on the waterfront as you say a favourite haunt. On the other side of the river was the Fort George Hotel.
Ah Yes, the Butcher Radar 'Magic or Crap', I remember doing them very well. Once got a request (actually requested) to do one for a VC10 in 89. He didn't like it very much when he got a 'crap' and had a whinge at OC Butcher - never mind, sometimes its better not to ask!
Was on C D hide during HM visit.
If memory serves me right,
1) tristar had engine problems, suspect problem caused by fod damage due to width of runway.
2) HM was served jungle rat at a formal dinner.
First and only time i had been on base and not spent a week cleaning and painting everything when HM or her family was visiting.
If memory serves me right,
1) tristar had engine problems, suspect problem caused by fod damage due to width of runway.
2) HM was served jungle rat at a formal dinner.
First and only time i had been on base and not spent a week cleaning and painting everything when HM or her family was visiting.
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HM the Queen's visit to Belize 1985
The Queen arriving back at Belize International after an aerial tour of the country.
During Her Majesty's visit to Belize she was taken on a flying tour of Belize in a Britten-Norman Defender belonging to the Belize Defence Force. When Her Majesty later visited airport camp somebody asked if she was enjoying her visit to Belize. The Queen was reported to have replied "Yes thank you, I have even been taken on a trip in a flying perambulator to see the marijuana fields" or words to that effect.
During Her Majesty's visit to Belize she was taken on a flying tour of Belize in a Britten-Norman Defender belonging to the Belize Defence Force. When Her Majesty later visited airport camp somebody asked if she was enjoying her visit to Belize. The Queen was reported to have replied "Yes thank you, I have even been taken on a trip in a flying perambulator to see the marijuana fields" or words to that effect.
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The Queen was reported to have replied "Yes thank you, I have even been taken on a trip in a flying perambulator to see the marijuana fields" or words to that effect.
There was some interesting 'flora' growing outside the Swamp once upon a time.
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Once witnessed a departing Herk with one engine that wouldn't start. Having had at least two desperate attempts to "bump start" it by accelerating down the runway with one engine windmilling, it finally took off on three engines with a prop feathered.
Strange that it got as far as Nassau before the crew noticed and put it u/s ....... can't say I blame them.
Whatever, I'm sure the 3 donk takeoff was all legal and above board and cleared by the AOC.
Seeeeeeeing as he was on board
Strange that it got as far as Nassau before the crew noticed and put it u/s ....... can't say I blame them.
Whatever, I'm sure the 3 donk takeoff was all legal and above board and cleared by the AOC.
Seeeeeeeing as he was on board
Best takeoff I saw was from the F4U Corsair!
A quick low pass and off to the States.
Was on the way up from Honduras when the gear wouldnt come down for the refuel stop. Wasnt there to see the landing but only the prop was damaged.
One of our groundcrew (Bill G?) got the hydraulics sorted.
It had an ARC 1 radio (ARK?!) (Even the Mk5's at SY had got up to ARC 52!!)
Still got the photos of it on the dispersal, bent prop was mounted in concrete.
2nd best: The VC10 taking me home
3rd best: ditto!
4th best: ....
etc etc!
Cheers!
lsh
A quick low pass and off to the States.
Was on the way up from Honduras when the gear wouldnt come down for the refuel stop. Wasnt there to see the landing but only the prop was damaged.
One of our groundcrew (Bill G?) got the hydraulics sorted.
It had an ARC 1 radio (ARK?!) (Even the Mk5's at SY had got up to ARC 52!!)
Still got the photos of it on the dispersal, bent prop was mounted in concrete.
2nd best: The VC10 taking me home
3rd best: ditto!
4th best: ....
etc etc!
Cheers!
lsh
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I recall an incident in Belize back in 1985 at the time of handover from the Royal Marine Commandos to an incoming Infantry Unit. The VC10 had arrived with members of the incoming unit and were in the process of unloading the baggage. One of the 4 Tonners being used in the process had had a problem starting so whilst it was backed up to the rear of the aircraft the engine had been left running. Unfortunately one of the guys unloading was a little too enthusiastic in throwing the bags into the truck and the bag ended up falling through the cupola of the truck's cab knocking the gear lever into reverse which caused the truck to reverse into the VC10 causing some damage which placed the aircraft US. The individual concerned had to be locked up in the guardroom for his own security as there were a very many irate Royals who wanted to lych him from the nearest tree.
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Recalling some great memories with this thread. Did two stints there in 81 and 84. As someone said earlier, it was one of the best postings going, pity it isn't still on the go. Loved San Pedro, remember sitting on the veranda at Capt Loco's late one fine evening, R+C in hand, live reggae music coming from inside, the Carribbean gently lapping up onto the beach, and thinking I'm being paid (extra) for this. 84 the Paras (3?) had just arrived. We always seemed to get stuck behind them in our truck going over to the Williamson site, as they marched with their band to change the guard in the morning. I taped some suitable RAF marches at the BFBS Station one night and the next day with the help of a ghetto blaster, we had some more appropriate music following them.
Happy Days
Happy Days
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After reading all of the memories, I have found that I know nearly all of the stories, having bored many people endlessly with them myself, like VF……..
But I remember the Queens visit, after being on ecort duties with 2 other Pumas, when Nige K and JW had to turn back to Belmapan shortly after T/O with severe vibration; on landing 2 tyres were burst…….. that made about 6 for Nige K’s tour! …… But after the 4th tyre he was given the ‘Gypsies warning’……. Imagine their 'relief' when they found that they had come close to shedding a tail rotor blade!..........
PS If someone could instruct me on how to post a pic, I have some to share?
But I remember the Queens visit, after being on ecort duties with 2 other Pumas, when Nige K and JW had to turn back to Belmapan shortly after T/O with severe vibration; on landing 2 tyres were burst…….. that made about 6 for Nige K’s tour! …… But after the 4th tyre he was given the ‘Gypsies warning’……. Imagine their 'relief' when they found that they had come close to shedding a tail rotor blade!..........
PS If someone could instruct me on how to post a pic, I have some to share?
Ah, The Ferrett. Tyres too eh, didn't know about those, but I do remember he cooked a rotor brake on 33. Very sluggish start up Nige!
He also had a bit of a sore groin for a week on one Belize det, though not for the usual reason- this involved a quack, a scissors and a local anaesthetic! Very popular with the other pilots for a couple of days, but I think they forgave him.
CG
Happy days.
He also had a bit of a sore groin for a week on one Belize det, though not for the usual reason- this involved a quack, a scissors and a local anaesthetic! Very popular with the other pilots for a couple of days, but I think they forgave him.
CG
Happy days.