Apocryphal tale.
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LOTA
The Canberra concerned belonged to 58 Squadron. The location was Norway (Can't remember which airfield) and the perpetrators of the "zapping" were a detachment of U S Navy RA3 Skywarriors, whose emblem was a tiger. The photo that I saw, when I was on 58 in 1970, was kept in 58's Jengo's office and showed a line of tiger pawprints leading along the spine towards the tail. Where the 58 Owl had been, there were only a few feathers, with a rather satisfied tiger licking its lips. The incident happened, I believe, in the 1960s.
The Canberra concerned belonged to 58 Squadron. The location was Norway (Can't remember which airfield) and the perpetrators of the "zapping" were a detachment of U S Navy RA3 Skywarriors, whose emblem was a tiger. The photo that I saw, when I was on 58 in 1970, was kept in 58's Jengo's office and showed a line of tiger pawprints leading along the spine towards the tail. Where the 58 Owl had been, there were only a few feathers, with a rather satisfied tiger licking its lips. The incident happened, I believe, in the 1960s.
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On a similar vein, which would cause quite a few heart attacks these days, the first Export Hawk ( to a place still officially secret but well known, it begins with K and ends in Ya ) the fitters had installed a beautifully made, flanged & rivetted banana rack in the forward cockpit - it was only discovered 1,1/2 hours before the big handover ceremony !!!
Before anyone replies, I agree this was going too far, but they were different times.
A Harrier T4 was left for collection with an 'Auto-Trade' style sign in the windshield, " 4 new tyres, 2 new wings, shoddy hoods ( the chap who worked on canopies had upset someone ) hence reduced price..."
The baro' altimeter was also marked ' Sunny, Fair, Rainy' etc.
Before anyone replies, I agree this was going too far, but they were different times.
A Harrier T4 was left for collection with an 'Auto-Trade' style sign in the windshield, " 4 new tyres, 2 new wings, shoddy hoods ( the chap who worked on canopies had upset someone ) hence reduced price..."
The baro' altimeter was also marked ' Sunny, Fair, Rainy' etc.
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And in 1996, the 5-foot high squadron crest at the entrance to 74(F) Sqn complete with motto "I FEAR NO MAN" was subtley altered with the addition of the letter "R". The next day a mystery caller rang the Ops desk & simply said "Hello, I'm Norman.....".
ExA
ExA
Great stories,
.
Albert Tanking
Not exactly a rivalry issue but...
During the latter days of the Albert Airbridge between ASI and FI, CBFASI was taking his wife with him on a visit to CBFFI. He decided they should travel by Albert on the way down and Timmy on the way back.
It turned out that the day of the southbound journey was their wedding anniversary and we were flying the long tanker. We spent the night before cutting out lots of dayglo letters.
Departure day dawned. 3 Herc crews briefed and prepared for the off. CBFASI and wife overslept and arrived in a rush to board the freighter just in time.
It was not until the second RV when the freighter moved astern our tanker that anything was revealed. Both CBFASI and wife could see unusual red markings around the HDU receptacle but not until they were almost in contact could they read "Albert says Happy Anniversary Alan and Alison"
Alison thought it the most marvellous Anniversary surprise she had ever had.
During the latter days of the Albert Airbridge between ASI and FI, CBFASI was taking his wife with him on a visit to CBFFI. He decided they should travel by Albert on the way down and Timmy on the way back.
It turned out that the day of the southbound journey was their wedding anniversary and we were flying the long tanker. We spent the night before cutting out lots of dayglo letters.
Departure day dawned. 3 Herc crews briefed and prepared for the off. CBFASI and wife overslept and arrived in a rush to board the freighter just in time.
It was not until the second RV when the freighter moved astern our tanker that anything was revealed. Both CBFASI and wife could see unusual red markings around the HDU receptacle but not until they were almost in contact could they read "Albert says Happy Anniversary Alan and Alison"
Alison thought it the most marvellous Anniversary surprise she had ever had.
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Wattisham Lightning Farewell
The week before 56 (lightnings) formally handed over to 56 (phantoms) was, as you would expect, full of parade practices and polishing.
A shiny lightning was parked front & centre in the hangar, and the painters were ordered to decorate it in honour of one of 56 Squadron's heroes.
On the the evening before the parade "Flt Lt Bloggs" was no longer the owner of this gleaming machine, instead it was "Spirit of Albert Ball".
The following morning the boss did his final walk through before the dignitaries arrived. He was surprised to find that an S had been added to both components of our hero's name.
He did calm down and even smiled wryly when the Letraset letters were removed before the show started.
A shiny lightning was parked front & centre in the hangar, and the painters were ordered to decorate it in honour of one of 56 Squadron's heroes.
On the the evening before the parade "Flt Lt Bloggs" was no longer the owner of this gleaming machine, instead it was "Spirit of Albert Ball".
The following morning the boss did his final walk through before the dignitaries arrived. He was surprised to find that an S had been added to both components of our hero's name.
He did calm down and even smiled wryly when the Letraset letters were removed before the show started.
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Oooh Matron!
Jess,
The "Oooh" was added to Matron TPMH's parking space around 1999 by 56? on APC. Andy Green, the guy who holds the land speed record was with them if that helps (rode a Harley through the Mess during a dining in night!)
The "Oooh" was added to Matron TPMH's parking space around 1999 by 56? on APC. Andy Green, the guy who holds the land speed record was with them if that helps (rode a Harley through the Mess during a dining in night!)
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At Gutersloh in '86 or'87 18 Sqn had a visit from one of the German Army CH53 sqns. After a couple of days flying in each others aircraft and exchanging stories of daring do, the visit was rounded off by a cultural evening involving the inevitable Hubie schnapps and copious draughts of Germany's finest ales. The following morning through bleary eyes and with banging heads we lined up to bid our fellow aviators farewell. The Germans took off and did a quick circuit to position for a fly past. As they banked away after a grass skimming run through we noticed that our engineers had added a 'C' and an 'S' at either end of the word 'HEER" which was written on the underside of each aircraft.
Whilst we all saw the funny side of the jape our Sqn boss was not as impressed after a rather lengthy one sided phone conversation with the Commander of the German's home base.
Whilst we all saw the funny side of the jape our Sqn boss was not as impressed after a rather lengthy one sided phone conversation with the Commander of the German's home base.
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Go to www.bywat.co.uk/xm268 This is a B(I)8 gallery and shows a zapping by 213 on a 16 Squadron engine cover
