Gaining An R.A.F Pilots Brevet In WW II
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Dave,
Beautiful video ! l looked hard, but couldn't orientate myself accurately. Our house was at the end of Bubwith Road (Lane ?), it would have been on the West side of the airfield.
When we were there there was just arable farmland behind (ie to the East) of the house, whatever remained of the wartime buildings and the Bloodhound sites would have been further East still, we never even went across to look at what was left (there would have been little to see, anyway). Our dog enjoyed the field, but that was all.
There would seem to be a lot more water about than I remember, and the place is much more wooded. But trees can grow a lot in 50 years. The house is probably hidden among them now. So no joy, I'm afraid - but thanks for trying, all the same.
And there was the dear old Stearman (the wing-walker, I presume). I had 60 hours on them in Florida in '41 - '42 (Primary School in USAAF), from which my moniker "42C" is derived.
Cheers, Danny.
EDIT: Thanks for the generous offer of the flight, but I'm far too frail now to take advantage of it. But thank you all the same.
Sorry to pour cold water on your idea of splitting the thread, but I'd prefer to keep together till the end (can't be far now). Goodnight, Danny.
Beautiful video ! l looked hard, but couldn't orientate myself accurately. Our house was at the end of Bubwith Road (Lane ?), it would have been on the West side of the airfield.
When we were there there was just arable farmland behind (ie to the East) of the house, whatever remained of the wartime buildings and the Bloodhound sites would have been further East still, we never even went across to look at what was left (there would have been little to see, anyway). Our dog enjoyed the field, but that was all.
There would seem to be a lot more water about than I remember, and the place is much more wooded. But trees can grow a lot in 50 years. The house is probably hidden among them now. So no joy, I'm afraid - but thanks for trying, all the same.
And there was the dear old Stearman (the wing-walker, I presume). I had 60 hours on them in Florida in '41 - '42 (Primary School in USAAF), from which my moniker "42C" is derived.
Cheers, Danny.
EDIT: Thanks for the generous offer of the flight, but I'm far too frail now to take advantage of it. But thank you all the same.
Sorry to pour cold water on your idea of splitting the thread, but I'd prefer to keep together till the end (can't be far now). Goodnight, Danny.
Last edited by Danny42C; 11th Dec 2013 at 23:24. Reason: Add Text.
He has, if you recall, in the past often said that this Prince of Threads must on no account become a Monologue, or a Duet, or even a Trio. Emphatically, no one individual or group has any ownership rights in it whatever. This is a FORUM: it is open to all men of good will all the time to put their two cents' worth in (subject always to the Moderators).
Most elegantly phrased, Danny, as ever, and one can only simply add a fervent "Hear! Hear!
However, regarding your comment regarding Dartmouth that ....
No wonder you were all imbued with that air of effortless superiority which marked you out from the rabble !(only joking !)
I have to confess that this wasn't invariably so, as proved by the post I recently made on the concurrent thread regarding the new look Military Tournament at Earl's Court, further to a mention of the "Manning the Mast" at HMS GANGES in Suffolk, with the Button Boy shinning up to stand atop the "button" of the near 150 foot high mast. As I posted, having just looked at the YouTube video posted by our mutual friend, Tankertrashnav, quotimg his:
Have a look at this if you're brave!
Or foolish .... since all this reminds me of a visit to l'Ecole Navale, the French equivalent of Dartmouth at Lanvéoc-Poulmic in Brittany when, after a well lubricated evening, our new French "friends" dared some of us to climb their similar, but fortunately not as high, mast with them.
Once we got up to the uppermost top they then proposed that we should all jump together into the safety netting on a count of one, two, three, to which we very foolishly agreed since, after an alcoholic chorus of "un, deux, trois!", we all jumped - and they didn't!
We subsequently discovered that the mast was actually out of bounds to all-comers, since the safety netting was deemed to be unfit for purpose .....
Jack
Most elegantly phrased, Danny, as ever, and one can only simply add a fervent "Hear! Hear!
However, regarding your comment regarding Dartmouth that ....
No wonder you were all imbued with that air of effortless superiority which marked you out from the rabble !(only joking !)
I have to confess that this wasn't invariably so, as proved by the post I recently made on the concurrent thread regarding the new look Military Tournament at Earl's Court, further to a mention of the "Manning the Mast" at HMS GANGES in Suffolk, with the Button Boy shinning up to stand atop the "button" of the near 150 foot high mast. As I posted, having just looked at the YouTube video posted by our mutual friend, Tankertrashnav, quotimg his:
Have a look at this if you're brave!
Or foolish .... since all this reminds me of a visit to l'Ecole Navale, the French equivalent of Dartmouth at Lanvéoc-Poulmic in Brittany when, after a well lubricated evening, our new French "friends" dared some of us to climb their similar, but fortunately not as high, mast with them.
Once we got up to the uppermost top they then proposed that we should all jump together into the safety netting on a count of one, two, three, to which we very foolishly agreed since, after an alcoholic chorus of "un, deux, trois!", we all jumped - and they didn't!
We subsequently discovered that the mast was actually out of bounds to all-comers, since the safety netting was deemed to be unfit for purpose .....
Jack
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Jack,
I would not dare to speak so about Dartmouth - it is to that younger Seat of Learning in Lincolnshire that my barbs were directed.
(It's only jealousy, really !)
Danny.
EDIT: Shame on you, for letting the Ancient Enemy put one over on you so easily ! What would Nelson have said ? You'd have been keel-hauled for sure !
I bet they're chortling over it yet - sweet revenge on Les Rosbifs for Trafalgar and Waterloo......Danny.
I would not dare to speak so about Dartmouth - it is to that younger Seat of Learning in Lincolnshire that my barbs were directed.
(It's only jealousy, really !)
Danny.
EDIT: Shame on you, for letting the Ancient Enemy put one over on you so easily ! What would Nelson have said ? You'd have been keel-hauled for sure !
I bet they're chortling over it yet - sweet revenge on Les Rosbifs for Trafalgar and Waterloo......Danny.
Last edited by Danny42C; 12th Dec 2013 at 00:01. Reason: Add Text.
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As a non-military, non-flying member of PPrune, I've been enthralled by this thread since it's inception and continuance by the late Cliff Nemo and RegLe. I have just spent a happy few hours reading the reminiscences of our latest batch of contributors. thank you all!
It may have started as "gaining a RAF pilot's Brevet in WWII ", but all these accounts help flesh-out the storyof a life in the Forces.
It would, IMHO, be a terrible mistake to exclude these peripheral postings from the tale....keep up the good work, please!
It may have started as "gaining a RAF pilot's Brevet in WWII ", but all these accounts help flesh-out the storyof a life in the Forces.
It would, IMHO, be a terrible mistake to exclude these peripheral postings from the tale....keep up the good work, please!
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If I may reiterate re splitting the thread, it was just an idle thought! 
I'm more than happy for it to continue as is, not that it's up to me of course.
Danny next time I'm up there I'll have a look for your house and see if I can take a few shots. I never knew it was a Bloodhound base. During the war it was a Halifax station. If it helps the runway orientation is 29 and the strip is on the south side of the old base.
I'm more than happy for it to continue as is, not that it's up to me of course.Danny next time I'm up there I'll have a look for your house and see if I can take a few shots. I never knew it was a Bloodhound base. During the war it was a Halifax station. If it helps the runway orientation is 29 and the strip is on the south side of the old base.
Last edited by Dave Wilson; 12th Dec 2013 at 06:51.
BREIGHTON
Danny, you might be interested in this site: Breighton which contains many photos of Breighton.
This thread The Real Aeroplane Company - Breighton Aerodrome also includes wartime photos of Breighton as well as the Thor IRBMs and Bloodhound Mk1 SAMs of later years.
The Piper Tri-Pacer, in its 'Caribbean' version, was the first aircraft in which I flew at the age of 11. It's a delightful light aeroplane and benefits from being a 'non-EASA' aeroplane, so is outside the €urocratic nonsense of EASA.
This thread The Real Aeroplane Company - Breighton Aerodrome also includes wartime photos of Breighton as well as the Thor IRBMs and Bloodhound Mk1 SAMs of later years.
The Piper Tri-Pacer, in its 'Caribbean' version, was the first aircraft in which I flew at the age of 11. It's a delightful light aeroplane and benefits from being a 'non-EASA' aeroplane, so is outside the €urocratic nonsense of EASA.
The copy of the log book of the RAF Observer which I have lists ops from Breighton on 78 Sqn flying Whitleys. An interesting a/c in which to go to war.
Our ex ALAT (French Army) Super Cub resided at Breighton after economics forced us to sell it.
Our ex ALAT (French Army) Super Cub resided at Breighton after economics forced us to sell it.
Gentleman Aviator
All the previous talk of Hastings reminds me of my one and only trip as a regular - had had a brief trip in CCF cadet days.
It was Flight changeover day (Odiham - Aldergrove in Detachment Days) in early 70s, and our normal Herc couldn't make it. For the appalling reason that it was AOC's at Lyneham, and the Staish wanted max numbers prettily lined up - extend a rotary Detachment in Norn Iron? No problem Sir!
One of our aged Navs (we had few others) had been on 1066 recently, so arranged a Hastings to do the changeover on the right day. Some memories of that trip:
1. The steep slope of the cabin floor - how could something that big have a tailwheel! Made carrying bags, bikes etc (literally) an uphill task.
2. And speaking of bikes - persuading the San Idiot that he'd need to let his tyres down, lest they explode at height (sic) in an unpressurised aircraft.
3. Hasty Bird having to orbit/dogleg to make FL 60 between Odiham and the Woodley Beacon!
Might venture some Training "dits" myself - not Cranditz, not South Cerney, not Henlow, but an RAF Pilot's Commission in the (very) late 1960s ......
It was Flight changeover day (Odiham - Aldergrove in Detachment Days) in early 70s, and our normal Herc couldn't make it. For the appalling reason that it was AOC's at Lyneham, and the Staish wanted max numbers prettily lined up - extend a rotary Detachment in Norn Iron? No problem Sir!
One of our aged Navs (we had few others) had been on 1066 recently, so arranged a Hastings to do the changeover on the right day. Some memories of that trip:
1. The steep slope of the cabin floor - how could something that big have a tailwheel! Made carrying bags, bikes etc (literally) an uphill task.
2. And speaking of bikes - persuading the San Idiot that he'd need to let his tyres down, lest they explode at height (sic) in an unpressurised aircraft.
3. Hasty Bird having to orbit/dogleg to make FL 60 between Odiham and the Woodley Beacon!
Might venture some Training "dits" myself - not Cranditz, not South Cerney, not Henlow, but an RAF Pilot's Commission in the (very) late 1960s ......
teeteringhead,
as has been so keenly demonstrated in the latest few contributions
I am sure your training input would be very welcome. Ah the Hastings sloping floor, a nightmare to load cargo, vehicles and airdrop into. Not to mention pax, paras etc climbing up those famous rickety ladders. 'Elfinsafety' would have had a fit if it had existed. The arrival of the Herc was manna from heaven.
as has been so keenly demonstrated in the latest few contributions
I am sure your training input would be very welcome. Ah the Hastings sloping floor, a nightmare to load cargo, vehicles and airdrop into. Not to mention pax, paras etc climbing up those famous rickety ladders. 'Elfinsafety' would have had a fit if it had existed. The arrival of the Herc was manna from heaven.
Message received and understood, Danny. We all now seem to have come to a consensus that the thread should continue gathering testimony from all that have taken the shilling in UK Military Aviation, hopefully in a more or less time sequence (though 'more or less' be the pertinent point as ever).
The one thing that should remain unchanged, I would suggest, should be the thread title. It no longer restricts us to the obtaining of Pilot Brevets, nor of being recruited in the Second World War. It is but a starting point on a journey that hopefully will never end, but "boldly go where no man has gone before"!
So from Star Fleet Academy to the RAF College, and Danny's barb re effortless superiority. No doubt some graduated from there with that quality, but I would suggest that they probably arrived there with it in the first place. As in all the posts that have described joining the RAF and the RN (surely there must be some Army Aviators with a tale to tell?), the Services required Maximum Effort from Day 1. That is the theme that permeates this thread, and always will do. We all found that we were capable of doing what we had not dreamt of prior to joining. The thoroughness with which one had to bull a pair of boots or a barrack hut translated into the care that one took in servicing an engine or of operating it.
Your joke somehow underlines the common experience that unites us all, Danny, no matter when we joined. Maximum effort from the start or we have no use for you. That was the message, and it still is.
The one thing that should remain unchanged, I would suggest, should be the thread title. It no longer restricts us to the obtaining of Pilot Brevets, nor of being recruited in the Second World War. It is but a starting point on a journey that hopefully will never end, but "boldly go where no man has gone before"!
So from Star Fleet Academy to the RAF College, and Danny's barb re effortless superiority. No doubt some graduated from there with that quality, but I would suggest that they probably arrived there with it in the first place. As in all the posts that have described joining the RAF and the RN (surely there must be some Army Aviators with a tale to tell?), the Services required Maximum Effort from Day 1. That is the theme that permeates this thread, and always will do. We all found that we were capable of doing what we had not dreamt of prior to joining. The thoroughness with which one had to bull a pair of boots or a barrack hut translated into the care that one took in servicing an engine or of operating it.
Your joke somehow underlines the common experience that unites us all, Danny, no matter when we joined. Maximum effort from the start or we have no use for you. That was the message, and it still is.
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Acknowledgements.
Dave Wilson,
There is a Tri-Pacer near to me that I know very well and like even more...and the owner has offered it to me at a reasonable price. Must get through Christmas first. It is a 1954 aircraft that was exported directly to RSA, and then made its way North to its first operator, the Kenya Police Air Wing (as a bomber) but the rest is another story. And as BEagle has mentioned, it is a non-EASA aircraft, so no direct European beaurocratic excessives. Breighton is on my 'must do' list, maybe next year.
Danny,
Good to hear from you on your R&R. With regard to the Tri-Pacer, although there is a spring interconnect betwixt aileron and rudder (the American method of ensuring coordinated turns...makes for interesting crosswind landings though), I suspect the aircraft you are referring to is the Ercoupe, with all three axis controlled by the yoke, and because it didn't really stall, it couldn't be spun - simple and safe.
I may have earned the right to wear the uniform, but there was a long way to go to get to that final goal. Oh, and the vultures come back at me once or twice again, but maybe later.
Teeteringhead
My only experience of Hastings (aircraft that is) was a wonder around and in one, Newark air Museum perhaps? Far steeper incline than what this tail dragging Erk was used to.
And I for one look forward to your "dits".
Camlobe
Carry on regardless.
There is a Tri-Pacer near to me that I know very well and like even more...and the owner has offered it to me at a reasonable price. Must get through Christmas first. It is a 1954 aircraft that was exported directly to RSA, and then made its way North to its first operator, the Kenya Police Air Wing (as a bomber) but the rest is another story. And as BEagle has mentioned, it is a non-EASA aircraft, so no direct European beaurocratic excessives. Breighton is on my 'must do' list, maybe next year.
Danny,
Good to hear from you on your R&R. With regard to the Tri-Pacer, although there is a spring interconnect betwixt aileron and rudder (the American method of ensuring coordinated turns...makes for interesting crosswind landings though), I suspect the aircraft you are referring to is the Ercoupe, with all three axis controlled by the yoke, and because it didn't really stall, it couldn't be spun - simple and safe.
I may have earned the right to wear the uniform, but there was a long way to go to get to that final goal. Oh, and the vultures come back at me once or twice again, but maybe later.
Teeteringhead
My only experience of Hastings (aircraft that is) was a wonder around and in one, Newark air Museum perhaps? Far steeper incline than what this tail dragging Erk was used to.
And I for one look forward to your "dits".
Camlobe
Carry on regardless.
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Breighton is on my 'must do' list, maybe next year.
Danny, just caught your comment re the water at Breighton, there had been heavy rain the week before and the Derwent had burst it's banks, hence all of the large puddles!
Beags, thanks for the link, I've looked at that website many times but never looked at the history bit! I was surprised to learn that the Bloodhound stayed in service until '91 (and indeed until '99 with the Swiss.)
When I did my Red Top/Firestreak course at Newton in '85 the Bloodhound training facility was there also, they were painted camo green at the time (the Bloodhounds that is, not the training facility...). I thought they looked far more fetching in white. Newton at the time was also the training camp for the Provost branch which was an interesting and informative time for we techies...they were an odd lot but I'm sure very nice inside.
At the time I developed bursitis on the heel of my foot (I don't recommend it) so went to the vet's and was excused service footwear until it had gone down. I had to wear trainers as they were the only thing that relieved the pain. The other foot was fine but to give a little uniformity I wore trainers on both feet. I might add that they were black trainers, not some flashy Nike jobs. That is until Mr Plod asked why I was wearing trainers. I told them and they thought long and hard, the decision being that I should wear a service shoe on the good foot and a trainer on the other. I'm serious. So I lopsidedly shuffled around the unit until my training boss had a quiet word in their shell like and I went back to trainers on both feet. They were interesting times.
Last edited by Dave Wilson; 12th Dec 2013 at 12:59.
Dave,
the two things we B/Es craved were to be issued with an 'excused boots chit' and an 'excused parades chit'. I was too young for the ultimate, the 'excused shaving chit'.
the two things we B/Es craved were to be issued with an 'excused boots chit' and an 'excused parades chit'. I was too young for the ultimate, the 'excused shaving chit'.
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I didn't need to shave when I joined up.... Once every two or three days did just fine. Complexion like a baby you see.
On the boots/shoes, they seriously discussed the meaning of the wording on the med chit. 'Does excused service footwear mean just for the affected foot or not.' 'I don't know if there's a precedent for that'. etc etc. Odd fellows but probably very good to their children.
I had to laugh at the 'excused parades' chit. For some reason known only to God I was part of the station parade team at 30MU, Sealand. I certainly didn't volunteer but being fairly tall probably looked the part of a lean and mean tech. Photochromatic spectacles had just come out (or 'panchromaticall' as my dear old Mum used to call them) and you can't wear sunglasses on parade, yes? Being a spectacle wearer I spent a fair wedge on these new, parade dodging specs. Come the next bone crushingly boring rehearsal for something or other I slyly donned them. They did what they said on the tin and went dark, just as the parade FS was demonstrating a move that he obviously found interesting but no one else did. He turned to face us and saw me, there was a moments silence and he said 'Bet those cost a few bob Dave' and carried on. Swine.
Which reminds me of when I was at the previously mentioned Newton and there was a freedom of Radcliffe parade or something of the sort. It was in a cricket pavillion I seem to remember which is one of the stranger places I've paraded but there was beer and tucker for after so I didn't mind doing this one.
The bayonets and scabbards had obviously lingered on the store shelf for many years as the bayonets were extremely stiff to withdraw. So come the day, we are arranged before the local high and mighty when the order 'Fix bayonets' is squawked. I gave mine an almighty heave from behind and the whole thing broke free from my webbing belt, the bayonet with scabbard firmly in place. No time to faff around I would break the flow if I tried to do anything so I stuck it on the rifle.
Around came the mayor smiling and nodding as they do until he came to me when an surprised expression came upon his visage. 'Yes' I thought 'We all know what's wrong mate, let's just move along'.
It wasn't until afterwards that his wife whispered in my ear 'Do you know your flies are undone?' I looked down and the shocking truth hit me, Front row, her Maj's finest NCO, scabbard on rifle and flies undone. Well they shouldn't have asked me to do bloody parades should they.
. Once every two or three days did just fine. Complexion like a baby you see.On the boots/shoes, they seriously discussed the meaning of the wording on the med chit. 'Does excused service footwear mean just for the affected foot or not.' 'I don't know if there's a precedent for that'. etc etc. Odd fellows but probably very good to their children.
I had to laugh at the 'excused parades' chit. For some reason known only to God I was part of the station parade team at 30MU, Sealand. I certainly didn't volunteer but being fairly tall probably looked the part of a lean and mean tech. Photochromatic spectacles had just come out (or 'panchromaticall' as my dear old Mum used to call them) and you can't wear sunglasses on parade, yes? Being a spectacle wearer I spent a fair wedge on these new, parade dodging specs. Come the next bone crushingly boring rehearsal for something or other I slyly donned them. They did what they said on the tin and went dark, just as the parade FS was demonstrating a move that he obviously found interesting but no one else did. He turned to face us and saw me, there was a moments silence and he said 'Bet those cost a few bob Dave' and carried on. Swine.
Which reminds me of when I was at the previously mentioned Newton and there was a freedom of Radcliffe parade or something of the sort. It was in a cricket pavillion I seem to remember which is one of the stranger places I've paraded but there was beer and tucker for after so I didn't mind doing this one.
The bayonets and scabbards had obviously lingered on the store shelf for many years as the bayonets were extremely stiff to withdraw. So come the day, we are arranged before the local high and mighty when the order 'Fix bayonets' is squawked. I gave mine an almighty heave from behind and the whole thing broke free from my webbing belt, the bayonet with scabbard firmly in place. No time to faff around I would break the flow if I tried to do anything so I stuck it on the rifle.
Around came the mayor smiling and nodding as they do until he came to me when an surprised expression came upon his visage. 'Yes' I thought 'We all know what's wrong mate, let's just move along'.
It wasn't until afterwards that his wife whispered in my ear 'Do you know your flies are undone?' I looked down and the shocking truth hit me, Front row, her Maj's finest NCO, scabbard on rifle and flies undone. Well they shouldn't have asked me to do bloody parades should they.
Last edited by Dave Wilson; 12th Dec 2013 at 13:56.
Whilst not really wishing to "black cat" Dave's post
, I can modestly and curiously enough lay claim to a similar double, the first part whilst a Midshipman at Dartmouth, and the second whilst Deputy Training Commander at a major shore establishment.
On the first occasion, I was in the middle rank of the guard of honour for a visiting Japanese Admiral, for whom we had just completed a General Salute. On ordering arms prior to his inspection, a sub continental mid in the rear rank lost control of his rifle, and his bayonet plunged through the shoulder of my No 5 jacket and my shirt, leaving me bleeding, but thankfully with little more than a scratch. Somewhat inevitably, I was propelled forward and so succeeded in catching my own rifle in the top pocket of my No 5s, and tearing some six inches of cloth in the process.
The Japanese Admiral said nothing when he paused momentarily in front of me, having clearly seen the torn jacket but, as he passed down between the middle and rear ranks, he paused behind me, having seen my torn and bloodied shoulder, and uttered the immortal words, "I think you breeding"!
On the second occasion, umpteen years later, having just attended a major parade during which my nether regions felt unusually cold, I had retreated to the gym for coffee, and was sitting chatting to a group of junior officers who seemed in particularly high spirits for some unknown reason. The Captain, who had been on the dais immediately behind me on the parade, then arrived and promptly made a beeline for me, so I naturally stood up, only to be told briskly to sit down. I demurred, only for him to repeat the instruction, so I quickly sat down. For some reason, the junior officers had melted away, still grinning as the Captain told me to check carefully the seat of my pants, when I promptly discovered a truly literal meaning of the expression "split from arsehole to breakfast time".....
Jack
, I can modestly and curiously enough lay claim to a similar double, the first part whilst a Midshipman at Dartmouth, and the second whilst Deputy Training Commander at a major shore establishment.On the first occasion, I was in the middle rank of the guard of honour for a visiting Japanese Admiral, for whom we had just completed a General Salute. On ordering arms prior to his inspection, a sub continental mid in the rear rank lost control of his rifle, and his bayonet plunged through the shoulder of my No 5 jacket and my shirt, leaving me bleeding, but thankfully with little more than a scratch. Somewhat inevitably, I was propelled forward and so succeeded in catching my own rifle in the top pocket of my No 5s, and tearing some six inches of cloth in the process.
The Japanese Admiral said nothing when he paused momentarily in front of me, having clearly seen the torn jacket but, as he passed down between the middle and rear ranks, he paused behind me, having seen my torn and bloodied shoulder, and uttered the immortal words, "I think you breeding"!
On the second occasion, umpteen years later, having just attended a major parade during which my nether regions felt unusually cold, I had retreated to the gym for coffee, and was sitting chatting to a group of junior officers who seemed in particularly high spirits for some unknown reason. The Captain, who had been on the dais immediately behind me on the parade, then arrived and promptly made a beeline for me, so I naturally stood up, only to be told briskly to sit down. I demurred, only for him to repeat the instruction, so I quickly sat down. For some reason, the junior officers had melted away, still grinning as the Captain told me to check carefully the seat of my pants, when I promptly discovered a truly literal meaning of the expression "split from arsehole to breakfast time".....
Jack
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It's unexpected Jack isn't it, like a dream of running naked down the street in front of nuns or suchlike. What had happened is that my zip fastener was done up but there had been a mode failure of the zip itself, it had come apart beneath the fastener. I had oiled my scabbard to try and help it along but the frog on the webbing belt was weak. I forgot to mention that the frog was dangling merrily from the scabbard as well.
I was exonerated by my parade commander who was in stitches.
I was exonerated by my parade commander who was in stitches.
I was exonerated by my parade commander who was in stitches.
Unexpected indeed, rather like a bayonet in the back, whilst in my second dit, I was without stitches .....
Jack
Unexpected indeed, rather like a bayonet in the back, whilst in my second dit, I was without stitches .....
Jack
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Shouldn't happen to a dog
Jack and Dave,
Once I ordered: "FIX.......BAYONETS !".... (and forgot what to say next !)
The shame of that moment is still with me ! (the parade W.O. saved me, hissing "Atten-shun" behind me sotto voce (but not sotto enough).
D.
Once I ordered: "FIX.......BAYONETS !".... (and forgot what to say next !)
The shame of that moment is still with me ! (the parade W.O. saved me, hissing "Atten-shun" behind me sotto voce (but not sotto enough).
D.
Back at RAFC, before plastic webbing made its appearance, the only way to get a blancoe'd webbing 'sling' to fit one's 7.62mm shoulder cannon with the required tightness was to operate the locking lever to open the weapon, attach the ends of the sling to the swivel jobbers, then snap it shut. Naturally this didn't do the rifle much good as it put rather a strain on the locking thing...and was strictly forbidden.
One miserable early morning, a Flt Cdt duly attached his webbing in this outlawed manner. All went fine until the command 'Preeeeesent...ARMS'. On the second movement, which involved a smart smack to the side of the weapon, the locking thing decided it had known better days. The rifle bent in the middle (like a one string fiddle) and in the ensuing silence, just before the band struck up, the sound of various bits of oily black metal escaping from the rifle and rattling onto the parade ground could be heard, amongst much general tittering and guffawing. Needless to say, the parade commander went into low earth orbit; Flt Cdt Dimwit and as much of the remains of his SLR as he could find were promptly booted off the parade ground.....doubtless to be awarded many days 'Strikers' for such a co.ck-up on parade!
One miserable early morning, a Flt Cdt duly attached his webbing in this outlawed manner. All went fine until the command 'Preeeeesent...ARMS'. On the second movement, which involved a smart smack to the side of the weapon, the locking thing decided it had known better days. The rifle bent in the middle (like a one string fiddle) and in the ensuing silence, just before the band struck up, the sound of various bits of oily black metal escaping from the rifle and rattling onto the parade ground could be heard, amongst much general tittering and guffawing. Needless to say, the parade commander went into low earth orbit; Flt Cdt Dimwit and as much of the remains of his SLR as he could find were promptly booted off the parade ground.....doubtless to be awarded many days 'Strikers' for such a co.ck-up on parade!
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Often in Jersey, but mainly in the past.
Age: 79
Posts: 7,810
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Oh, dammit, I can't remember. What was it we did with the magazine on the No. 4, so that when you hit it during the Present it made a good sharp sound? Did we just release the magazine catch, relying on that bow-taut sling to keep the bu99er in place until the third movement of the "Present"?
Bullsh1t Unlimited
Only works if we all do it at the same time, of course, unlike L/Cpl Jones
Bullsh1t Unlimited
Only works if we all do it at the same time, of course, unlike L/Cpl Jones