HAIRY
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Horsham, England, UK. ---o--O--o---
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I met and worked with a certain Master Pilot Blackwell in 1979 in ATC at RAF Manston.
We were told he was ex Spitfire / Hunter / Lightning Pilot to name some of his types flown.
We all respected him greatly, despite his love for Arsenal FC.
ps. I believe he still got paid flying pay somehow too!
We were told he was ex Spitfire / Hunter / Lightning Pilot to name some of his types flown.
We all respected him greatly, despite his love for Arsenal FC.
ps. I believe he still got paid flying pay somehow too!
Join Date: Apr 2008
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I remember working alongside a MACR John Tatum at Mountbatten in the ealy 80's, who often got into the helicopters that came out for SCSR drills and flew as pilot to keep up his hours..... and he was a gentleman to work with.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2001
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As many of you know, the RAFVR(T) staff pilots on the AEFs were all commissioned as Fg Offs. On No 6 AEF there were many who, to join, had to forgo their exalted ranks, A.M., AVM, and even one or two Sqn Ldrs. But Fg Off Bill Ryall's claim to fame was that he was the only one of us who had been promoted when he joined, having retired from full time service as a master pilot.
Inter Arma Enim Silentius Lex Legis
Join Date: May 2000
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Wasn't that Master Pilot Blackwell-Smyth??
He was at Bishops Court Killard point circa 78/79.
My first encounter with NCO Aircrew!!
As for the Hairy Marys I joined in Sep 75 and was one of the last Swinderby Courses to be issued with it. It was withdrawn from use early/mid 76.
TG
He was at Bishops Court Killard point circa 78/79.
My first encounter with NCO Aircrew!!
As for the Hairy Marys I joined in Sep 75 and was one of the last Swinderby Courses to be issued with it. It was withdrawn from use early/mid 76.
TG
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In my day......as an SAC you had to have signed on for more than five years to qualify for the 'non-hairy' blues; the longer engagement qualifying for a better quality cloth, known as a T63 if memory serves me correctly. The effect of course, was clear and evident segregation by the SWO when looking for likely candidates for parades! As a "Hairy" airmen I never did one! The posh lot in barathea copped the lot!
Gentleman Aviator
last but one WO Pilot in the RAF - the last being at Odiham I believe.
...... none of which he could hear, cos he was deaf as a post by then!
Yes, Him
Join Date: Aug 1999
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Ref the original question, just came across the following, written by Bill Billings, who edits the Shack Assc magazine, The Growler.
Until I joined 38 in late 1962, I had been instructed by old hairies not to have any truck with squadrons with only two digits to their number; something to do with ‘that lot wot got the railway engine plaque for a time’, I think.
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When I was undergoing training at Finningley in 1980 there was a Master Pilot who worked in Ops and hosted morning prayers each day. Can't remember his name, though.
Join Date: Sep 2006
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As one had become rather more hairy on the arms and legs during the Summer months, changing from KD to hairy blues in Autumn was a tad irritating.
It looked like a flashers convention!
Ah, but we don't all have your experience, Ricardian .... Only kidding, I was an in-patient at a military hospital when a four-stripe - and subsequently two star - friend came to visit me and brought the main ward to a standstill when he came in wearing a raincoat with his trousers rolled-up out of sight - until he "revealed" himself!
Jack
PS For the avoidance of doubt, he was not in uniform!
Ah, but we don't all have your experience, Ricardian .... Only kidding, I was an in-patient at a military hospital when a four-stripe - and subsequently two star - friend came to visit me and brought the main ward to a standstill when he came in wearing a raincoat with his trousers rolled-up out of sight - until he "revealed" himself!
Jack
PS For the avoidance of doubt, he was not in uniform!
