Google Earth and RAF Stations

[Blacksheep]

Must have been an absolute bummer of a tour!

But not half as bad as Salalah.

watching the WAAFs playing beach volleyball... sigh,

Rev I.Tin. There were never any WRAFs doing beach vollyball on Gan. Maybe the odd loadie but never any WrRAFS (or WAAFS!). We never had any based there. We did have Joan though, the WRVS lady. And she was a great person.

Volleyball? Call it what you like, but there was occasionally some fun and games at The Marine Bar. Apart from the inflatable woman behind the bar, there were often female visitors and their knickers were nailed to the rafters to prove it. No woman was turned down; even those whose legs were put on upside down were given a warm welcome and as much free beer as they could drink...

Scalies got a mid-tour trip home to the family, Singlies got a free trip to Changi. They would typically book into one of the Katong "Clubs" around Mountbatten Road (Club 31 had the best lookers, but the highest prices) hand over their savings and leave allowances and remain there until their credit ran out and they were kicked out again.

[Argus]

Many more years ago than I care to remember, I passed through Gan as a humble punter en route to the Far East Fleet.

I recall sighting various pieces of graffiti, in what the RAF was pleased to call the Hossifers Mess, relating to a party of nurses that had been stranded there some weeks previously, together with some RN aviators.

Unfortunately, an old man's memory dims with the passage of time - although I have some vague recollection that it was my fellow FAA comrades, rather than dull and boring blunt cr*bs, that had contributed to the good time that said nurses had allegedly had on said atoll!

[moggiee]

Originally Posted by pzu

By the way the Orcadians pronounce Twatt as 'Twott!!!

Can't say I blame them.

[Warmtoast]

I was there in the early days and recorded my tour in colour photos. Have a look here:
http://groups.msn.com/TonyHawesRAFSe...nw?albumlist=2

[Widger]

Quite a lot of current RAF stations were previously RNAS. Usually the ones with the leaky roofs! Always spot a genuine RAF station with the standard Officers Mess, Front door turn left/right for the bar, turn left/right for the mess office.

Former RNAS list here

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of...l_Air_Stations

Quite a flamin lot!