Hats- why bother?
Just another erk
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Germany
Age: 77
Posts: 280
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Could never have done without my beret when on the Hunter line at Valley, IPN starter system and never a glove to be found, they have more use then just hidding long hair 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Over the rainbow
Posts: 310
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hats Off!
During the 1950/60s I was a patch brat and lived in quarters at Cranwell. Cadets had to wear hats in civilian clothes at all times. When they went to the Astra cinema they always sat in the back row at rested their hats on a wall about 4' high behind them.
I was the little bastard that used to run along and knock all the hats off.
By the way my dad was the cinema manager!
'We knew how to whinge but we kept it in the NAAFI bar.'
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: South of Old Warden
Age: 87
Posts: 1,375
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
goudie - ref post #51
'When did Chf Techs wear upside stripes? Not a trick question, just wondered'
Tonka, you mean 'upside down stripes'.
Many years ago (50's early 60's) Ch/Techs were on a par with Flt Sgts and wore a crown over reverse stripes (The Technician route to promotion). It confused the Brown & Dark Blue Jobs and to us J/T's was a much revered rank. It changed in the early 60's to the prop. over normal stripes of today and Ch/Techs were placed a rank below Flt Sgt's. To many Chiefs the removal of the crown and loss of status was a devastating blow. That's as I recall it. Me, I wore mine the right way up......with a prop. many years ago. Good rank to be in.
'When did Chf Techs wear upside stripes? Not a trick question, just wondered'
Tonka, you mean 'upside down stripes'.
Many years ago (50's early 60's) Ch/Techs were on a par with Flt Sgts and wore a crown over reverse stripes (The Technician route to promotion). It confused the Brown & Dark Blue Jobs and to us J/T's was a much revered rank. It changed in the early 60's to the prop. over normal stripes of today and Ch/Techs were placed a rank below Flt Sgt's. To many Chiefs the removal of the crown and loss of status was a devastating blow. That's as I recall it. Me, I wore mine the right way up......with a prop. many years ago. Good rank to be in.
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Near where the Wokkas live.
Age: 79
Posts: 113
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Upside down stripes.
The 1964 Trade Structure, as it was then called, did away with the technical trades' upside down stripes.
I remember this well as I finished apprentice training that year and instead of the stripe, I had to make do with a four-bladed prop.
Polecat
I remember this well as I finished apprentice training that year and instead of the stripe, I had to make do with a four-bladed prop.
Polecat
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: A lot closer to the sea
Posts: 665
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Got myself very confused once when as a mere Lt I was saluted by a Sqn Ldr as he entered the rects office I was working in. Luckily a handy Chief Tech explained it to me 
Quite agree that you are saluting the commission not the person.
Hats on indoors? Not unless for ceremonial or disciplinary reasons IMHO.
Quite agree that you are saluting the commission not the person.
Hats on indoors? Not unless for ceremonial or disciplinary reasons IMHO.
The parallel technician and management rank structure was replaced in 1964. As others have said, prior to that the technician stream were identified by the fact that their chevrons were worn point up. The rank that has not been mentioned was that of Master Technician - equivalent to Warrant Officer.
Sadly, when I left Halton in 1966, I had to sew my chevrons on with the points at the bottom.
Sadly, when I left Halton in 1966, I had to sew my chevrons on with the points at the bottom.
Most if not all trades could include Technician ranks. There were many in Stores, General Office and Accounts. I remember one Cpl Tech in the cookhouse at Hereford who got very shirty if he was referred to as Cpl. So what did we call him? Not a cook, thats for sure.
The Technician rank structure ran from 1951 to 1964.
The Technician rank structure ran from 1951 to 1964.
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: South of Old Warden
Age: 87
Posts: 1,375
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Polecat,
I sympathsize with you. Sewing on my J/T stripe was a proud moment. Why it was replaced with a 4 bladed prop. confounded most people. Surprised it's lasted so long in the jet age!
I believe some original 'V' crewchiefs were Master Techs.
AARON
I don't recall trades outside the tech group and medical qualifying for technician status.
I sympathsize with you. Sewing on my J/T stripe was a proud moment. Why it was replaced with a 4 bladed prop. confounded most people. Surprised it's lasted so long in the jet age!
I believe some original 'V' crewchiefs were Master Techs.
AARON
I don't recall trades outside the tech group and medical qualifying for technician status.
Last edited by goudie; 27th Nov 2007 at 21:05.
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: North
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Compliments
We were always taught that saluting was merely paying compliments (my Dad was Army) and if the recipient were tardy in returning the salute then 'compliments sir' would usually be enough to be saluted in return.
Yes its a tradition and if we lose that then what was the point of all the bull. If you march you may as well march in step otherwise you just look a pr@tt anyway.
I now wear a hat to keep my bald pate warm - sad really.
And Izod - if you were lucky enough to leave Halton with a non commision then you were a clever lad werent you?
(I usually need a scotch to get my fingers going on here)
Yes its a tradition and if we lose that then what was the point of all the bull. If you march you may as well march in step otherwise you just look a pr@tt anyway.
I now wear a hat to keep my bald pate warm - sad really.
And Izod - if you were lucky enough to leave Halton with a non commision then you were a clever lad werent you?
(I usually need a scotch to get my fingers going on here)
Just another erk
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Germany
Age: 77
Posts: 280
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Your quite correct shack, memorey dims with age, but I do remember when I became a J/T, I had the same rank on my arm as when I was a
B.E. Felt like advancing backwards, back to the hat, as B.E.'s we wore the four bladed prop in our hats as well, didn't get the RAF cap badge till we passed out.
B.E. Felt like advancing backwards, back to the hat, as B.E.'s we wore the four bladed prop in our hats as well, didn't get the RAF cap badge till we passed out.
Last edited by ArthurR; 28th Nov 2007 at 07:47.
Cunning Artificer
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: The spiritual home of DeHavilland
Age: 76
Posts: 3,127
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Three upside down was a Senior Tech. And they all and wore hats (back on thread)
And brown dustcoats.
It was a Senior Tech/Chiefy tradition...
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: South of Old Warden
Age: 87
Posts: 1,375
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Why do we salute? I believe it originated from the custom of Knights, who, upon meeting other Knights, the King or those commisioned by the King to represent him, threw up their right hand, palm open, to show they were not concealing a weapon. It then became a tradition. Hence we (you) salute the Queens Commision........ when properly dressed of course!
Last edited by goudie; 28th Nov 2007 at 10:12.
