Reds pipped for female display pilot
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Yes, Mr Brown, we know Ben is a Harrier mate but Kirsty isn't and, I have it on good authority, that other 2-seater drivers have manged to infiltrate the team.
Wrathmonk,
It USED to be that a signal came out each year inviting applications and there was never a specific mention of one's Service on it. One particular year I was displaying, hence in the 'Inner Circle'
and, knowing the Red's Manager very well (Bona Mates of both services stick together 
) we got to discussing this very point and looked into it a bit deeper. We discovered that it was quite possible for the Senior Service to apply for the 'job'. Of course, the selection procedure would probably ensure no Dark Blue were found sitting in a red Hawk but, at the time, I would have said the boys in the team were mates, so you never know. I have no idea, however, what their Admiralships and Airships would have thought of such a preposterous idea.
In the end a better posting offer came up but it would have been fun to have seen how far an application would have gone. Even better if I could have got the free Breitling
Wrathmonk,
It USED to be that a signal came out each year inviting applications and there was never a specific mention of one's Service on it. One particular year I was displaying, hence in the 'Inner Circle'
and, knowing the Red's Manager very well (Bona Mates of both services stick together ) we got to discussing this very point and looked into it a bit deeper. We discovered that it was quite possible for the Senior Service to apply for the 'job'. Of course, the selection procedure would probably ensure no Dark Blue were found sitting in a red Hawk but, at the time, I would have said the boys in the team were mates, so you never know. I have no idea, however, what their Admiralships and Airships would have thought of such a preposterous idea.In the end a better posting offer came up but it would have been fun to have seen how far an application would have gone. Even better if I could have got the free Breitling
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Bowly, not sure where you've got your info from but Flt Lt Plank has done his fair share of operational tours in Afghanistan and Flt Lt Moore is reported to have been informed of her successful application on landing at Al Udeid having just flown an operational sortie over Iraq (and I guess has also done her fair share of operational tours).
bowly - I can second that Planky has spend quite some time providing kinetic support to the ditch-dwellers in hot hilly places. He has the t-shirt for he has been there. Stop bumping your internet gums - it makes you look daft.
Last edited by bowly; 19th May 2009 at 10:40.
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Sex doesn't matter.
After all, none of the spectators on the ground watching the displays will even be able to tell the difference.
But it'll be a different story after the display when they're back on the deck parking...
After all, none of the spectators on the ground watching the displays will even be able to tell the difference.
But it'll be a different story after the display when they're back on the deck parking...
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Nice to see the BBC maintaining its usual standard...
BBC NEWS | UK | Red Arrows present female pilot
BBC NEWS | UK | Red Arrows present female pilot
Women flew in the Air Transport Auxillery in the Second World War
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If you had watched the Calender News link about them on this mornings GMTV, you would have been forgiven for thinking the Reds fly Extras as it showed a link of the Blades!
Even my wife knew they weren't the Reds
Even my wife knew they weren't the Reds
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Do catch up "Crabair"
In 2001 the AAC "Blue Eagles" team included the very first British female Military display pilot, Sgt Julie Wiles.
I can hear it now "mumble mumble bloody brown jobs and a Sgt to boot!!"
I can hear it now "mumble mumble bloody brown jobs and a Sgt to boot!!"
The BBC's bad spelling didn't surprise me at all -par for the course these days, but I'd like to know who this lady was/is.
.
Was this some sort of honorary award of RAF wings?
with Jean Bird later being awarded her RAF wings
Was this some sort of honorary award of RAF wings?
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Jean Bird
From the Women in Aviation site:
"It wasn’t until 1952 that the first female RAF pilot, Jean Bird, a reservist, was given her full set of wings. By this time she had been flying for 20 years, had over 300 hours on 90 aircraft types and had a Senior Commercial Pilot’s licence. In fact she had more experience than most of the instructors who trained her for her wings."
She is mentioned in 'Spitfire Women' by Giles Whittell and was an ATA ferry pilot.
"It wasn’t until 1952 that the first female RAF pilot, Jean Bird, a reservist, was given her full set of wings. By this time she had been flying for 20 years, had over 300 hours on 90 aircraft types and had a Senior Commercial Pilot’s licence. In fact she had more experience than most of the instructors who trained her for her wings."
She is mentioned in 'Spitfire Women' by Giles Whittell and was an ATA ferry pilot.
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Harrogate wrote:
Have you been sneaking up past Ripon to see Mrs Wensleydale?
Actually, I remember the photographs of a "Lady" 2nd Lieutenant Adjutant of the White Helmets' Motorcycle Display Team in Mayfair a few years ago. A good use of a number 1 uniform if ever I saw one (as it gradually disappeared).
Sex doesn't matter.
Actually, I remember the photographs of a "Lady" 2nd Lieutenant Adjutant of the White Helmets' Motorcycle Display Team in Mayfair a few years ago. A good use of a number 1 uniform if ever I saw one (as it gradually disappeared).
In the pub........
Imagine the scene for the poor civvy out on the beer near Scampton. You see the Redhead in the corner, buy her a drink and try to impress her with stories of derring do.
'And what do you do for a living darlin'..........?'
'I'll get my coat'.....to coin a phrase.
'And what do you do for a living darlin'..........?'
'I'll get my coat'.....to coin a phrase.
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LOL
Saw the clip on the News, the girls inm my house are not talking to myself and my son after he (who has no interest in aircraft) piped up and asked to go to the next show they do so he could witness an aircrash live, I got in trouble for laughing!
Well there's banter and there's bloody bad taste bolkow - and I reckon that post comes into the second category. Reckon the girls in your house have got it about right.
Deepest South - thanks for the info on Jean Bird. I reckon the site meant 3,000 hours though, not 300. 90 types, though! As my young nephew would say - respect!
Deepest South - thanks for the info on Jean Bird. I reckon the site meant 3,000 hours though, not 300. 90 types, though! As my young nephew would say - respect!
