Oh dear, another Senior Officer headwear error...
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
I don't know why but I did glance at that AP once. I loved the photo of Peter Ruddock modelling what the best dressed air officer would wear.
The reproduction made him look ridiculously shorter and squatter than in real life.
I also remember Mike Graydon on his farewell tour of units. His wooly pully was pretty threadbare with frayed cuffs. Gave us a wonderful model to aim for.
The reproduction made him look ridiculously shorter and squatter than in real life.
I also remember Mike Graydon on his farewell tour of units. His wooly pully was pretty threadbare with frayed cuffs. Gave us a wonderful model to aim for.
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BEagle..I used to babysit for Bill Wr.....s' kids when he was boss of 56, my old man got me the gig, he made me sit in his study on a hardback chair and watch a small B&W portable TV until the early hours when him and his wife would return from the mess. I was 15 at the time, many years later he came on a visit to our Sqn, (your old one), he had been long retired and I reminded him of the occasion, much to his embarrassment, especially when I told his guests I was paid £5.00.
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Can anyone tell me what the CAS WO actually does?
And what's the CAS doing fannying about in a camouflage combat suit? Maybe he thinks the rank and file will see him as one of the lads?!
And what's the CAS doing fannying about in a camouflage combat suit? Maybe he thinks the rank and file will see him as one of the lads?!
Can anyone tell me what the CAS WO actually does?
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I was reminded of this thread when I came across an old video of 37Sqn receiving new colours in 1964. Some RAF officers are wearing white uniforms, the majority are in KD. Am curious about this as in my time in Aden I never saw a white uniform worn by any other than the RN.
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Shack37 ...
I would think there isn't much difference then to the orders now on No 6A SD.
AP 1358 Page 2-37/38
So I assume the VSO and his ADC (?) were on such a ceremonial "occasion" ... I assume those being visited were stuck with standard KD kit 
Leon J is our "expert" on such matters and sure he will pitch up if I've missed something
Best regards ...
Coff.
I would think there isn't much difference then to the orders now on No 6A SD.
AP 1358 Page 2-37/38
This order of dress is reserved for ceremonial and other formal occasions as ordered during authorised warm weather periods.
Leon J is our "expert" on such matters and sure he will pitch up if I've missed something
Best regards ...
Coff.
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@ #43
dctyke
I am aware of a Sqn Ldr not a million miles from Sleaford who is entitled to a swagger stick as a badge of office.. (it looks a bit old skool Harry Potter mind).
I am aware of a Sqn Ldr not a million miles from Sleaford who is entitled to a swagger stick as a badge of office.. (it looks a bit old skool Harry Potter mind).
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Can anyone tell me what the CAS WO actually does?
6 months later we could!!
Quote:
Originally Posted by chippy63
Off topic, but watching the Remembrance Day parade, I noticed F/L Wales wearing white gloves. I thought only AVM and above wore those?
White gloves: All officers when carrying a sword.
Goody golly gracious ....... these gloves, white, click in at Sergeant in Foot Guards!
Originally Posted by chippy63
Off topic, but watching the Remembrance Day parade, I noticed F/L Wales wearing white gloves. I thought only AVM and above wore those?
White gloves: All officers when carrying a sword.
Goody golly gracious ....... these gloves, white, click in at Sergeant in Foot Guards!
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I remember asking the CASWO (I won't say which one) why the WRAF could carry
a black umberella and male personnel couldn't. 6 months later we could
"And what have you done for equality on this station?"
"Well Ma'am, I have banned the WRAF from wearing KD in summer because the chaps are not allowed to".
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I am aware of a Sqn Ldr not a million miles from Sleaford who is entitled to a swagger stick as a badge of office..
Only time I saw an RAF officer with a swagger stick was AM Lagesen when AOC 18Gp.
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Sitigeltfel
No he was famed for that "stick", I was poked in the tummy with it once when, as AOC 1 Gp, he turned up at 50 Sqn's crewroom at Waddo for a game of pool on the table A* R***y brought back from the States.
3P
No he was famed for that "stick", I was poked in the tummy with it once when, as AOC 1 Gp, he turned up at 50 Sqn's crewroom at Waddo for a game of pool on the table A* R***y brought back from the States.
3P
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I once flew that AOC in a Hunter to carry an Annual inspection at one of his bases. After shutdown, he climbed down the ladder, took off his flying suit, and was resplendent in his No 1 uniform - complete with swagger stick!
Swagger Sticks
I was a Flt Cdr on the very last OCTU course at Henlow which was my first of 6 (the other 5 being in DIOT at Cranwell). There were 2 of us newbies and we were amused to find a one hour slot during our induction week set aside for stick drill.
This drill was conducted by the OCTU WO (RAF Regt) who firstly informed us that as OCTU flt cdrs we were in one of the the 2 categories entitled to carry a swagger stick, the other one being Regt gunnery instructors (if memory serves). The drill consisted of:
Marching (never walking) - stick held in its centre in the right hand which swings with the stick always horizontal held between the 4 fingers and thumb.
Saluting - Bring both arms to the side 2,3 - stick moved to be gripped under the left arm pit and with the left hand (arm crooked) and with right hand still holding stick 2, 3 - right hand back to leg position 2, 3 - salute 2, 3 - right hand back to leg 2, 3 - grip stick with right hand (left hand and armpit unchanged) 2, 3 - both hands back to leg position 2, 3 - and swing.
You, no doubt, can recognise the cadence but all this is from memory of some 34 years ago and there are, no doubt, many out there to correct me. I never again held a swagger stick in all of my 4 years at OCTU/DIOT although I had an old Army swagger stick of my Grandfather's from his days in the King's (Liverpool) Regt. To my shame, I confess, I used occasionally to find it and have sneaky drill practice but only ever in private behind closed doors.
Happy Days
This drill was conducted by the OCTU WO (RAF Regt) who firstly informed us that as OCTU flt cdrs we were in one of the the 2 categories entitled to carry a swagger stick, the other one being Regt gunnery instructors (if memory serves). The drill consisted of:
Marching (never walking) - stick held in its centre in the right hand which swings with the stick always horizontal held between the 4 fingers and thumb.
Saluting - Bring both arms to the side 2,3 - stick moved to be gripped under the left arm pit and with the left hand (arm crooked) and with right hand still holding stick 2, 3 - right hand back to leg position 2, 3 - salute 2, 3 - right hand back to leg 2, 3 - grip stick with right hand (left hand and armpit unchanged) 2, 3 - both hands back to leg position 2, 3 - and swing.
You, no doubt, can recognise the cadence but all this is from memory of some 34 years ago and there are, no doubt, many out there to correct me. I never again held a swagger stick in all of my 4 years at OCTU/DIOT although I had an old Army swagger stick of my Grandfather's from his days in the King's (Liverpool) Regt. To my shame, I confess, I used occasionally to find it and have sneaky drill practice but only ever in private behind closed doors.
Happy Days
