Value of a Ground Engineer
Thread Starter
Value of a Ground Engineer
I know, it sounds like 'touting for a back slap', but, I know that there are lots of pilots/ nabs/ aircrew who, like me, have left the service and a a vast resource of wisdom regarding RAF development over the years. I've read lots of posts regarding crews ( including navigators) mucking in and doing prop changes etc "down route" in years gone by, but as a bloke who did over 5000 hours "hammock time" on the Hercules fleet in the 80/90s, I would be interested to hear if Ground Engineers were really a welcome addition to the route, or did they create a problem in any way ? I'm sure there's a good story or two out there, and I can certainly proffer a few of my own experiences. Of course I would include the chaps who started it all, the Crew Chiefs of the V force. I'm a new poster so please be gentle, I'm only a bloke with a hammock!!
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: uk
Posts: 92
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Along with the svc(s) they were absolutely vital; not only work wise but socially too. I now count many many GEs as personal friends and keep in touch fairly regularly. Along with the vast majority of homebase engineering support, the GE's exemplified utter professionalism. The downtime stories, however, achieved almost legendary status worthy of going into print. Generally larger than life characters that made the job enjoyable. Enough sunshine blowing.
Regards to all
Chris
Regards to all
Chris
I would say about a Pound and Sixpence.
As I tell them on a regular basis, I consider GEs as a whole to be the most professional, experienced and capable guys and gals. Without a doubt they are the hardest partying and hardest working group who should serve as an inspiration to the younger trades.
It's always 'Jobsdone' rather than 'Jobsworth'.
I even forgive them for the minor transgressions that occasionally occur down-route.
Frankly they are wizards with magic spanners.
---End of Sunshine Rant---
It's always 'Jobsdone' rather than 'Jobsworth'.
I even forgive them for the minor transgressions that occasionally occur down-route.
Frankly they are wizards with magic spanners.
---End of Sunshine Rant---
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Erehwon
Posts: 1,146
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
There are one or two notable exceptions to that assertion, but we all knew who they were. RE, BH & TAPS to 'name' but some.
Mind you, it WAS the exception that proved the rule, the GEs and SVC were first class and I, for one, was most happy that they were there. Kept my gloves a lot cleaner too!!
Mind you, it WAS the exception that proved the rule, the GEs and SVC were first class and I, for one, was most happy that they were there. Kept my gloves a lot cleaner too!!
I have very fond memories of time away with GEs, including a fairly long jaunt to Malaysia with one 'Smudge" Smith who sported a sunbathing green turtle badge on his flying suit.
Every GE I flew with was tremendous value for money and a welcome part of the crew - some have become route legends when recalling 'epics'.
Good to see you are still knocking around Smudge!
Every GE I flew with was tremendous value for money and a welcome part of the crew - some have become route legends when recalling 'epics'.
Good to see you are still knocking around Smudge!
Thread Starter
Hmmm,
More memories to contemplate. Keep well Mal !!! You may remember the pink hat better than the turtle ! I never fell out of an "ammock" in my life Isaneng. But may have left that impression
I apologise to professional flyers for interrupting any flow on Fast jets etc, in actual fact some of my happiest memories of my time in the RAF concern 56 Squadron in Cyprus and Q-A- VUL !!!
More memories to contemplate. Keep well Mal !!! You may remember the pink hat better than the turtle ! I never fell out of an "ammock" in my life Isaneng. But may have left that impression
I apologise to professional flyers for interrupting any flow on Fast jets etc, in actual fact some of my happiest memories of my time in the RAF concern 56 Squadron in Cyprus and Q-A- VUL !!!
Last edited by smujsmith; 17th Jan 2013 at 20:49.
Ground Engineers (and Mechs and Fitters) were a godsend if you needed a double engine change in the middle of Africa - at Entebbe actually - as seen here with screen-grabs from my cine camera dated April 1960, 53-years ago!.
Chief Tech in charge of the ground crew named Ben Mansley (I think).
Chief Tech in charge of the ground crew named Ben Mansley (I think).
Last edited by Warmtoast; 17th Jan 2013 at 22:23.
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
Problem for many V-force crew chiefs was they were the only non-commissioned crew man. On landing the CC would be just that with the crew providing the semi-skilled labour. On some trips to unsupported bases we used to take two.
Even on supported bases support could be pretty flaky. At Akrotiri (Canberra days) our CC got help from ex-V-force mates in the mess but even so we got involved in removing tail cones, pulling jet pipes to get at fire tec boxes. Made a nonsense of the servicing certificates and I'm fairy not engines.
Once at Offutt, despite it being a supported base, we had a really sooty flown out. Never forget his name. I can just imagining the recruiting sergeant marking his card as he left the office - 'Right, Hammer, ideal for engines.'
Even on supported bases support could be pretty flaky. At Akrotiri (Canberra days) our CC got help from ex-V-force mates in the mess but even so we got involved in removing tail cones, pulling jet pipes to get at fire tec boxes. Made a nonsense of the servicing certificates and I'm fairy not engines.
Once at Offutt, despite it being a supported base, we had a really sooty flown out. Never forget his name. I can just imagining the recruiting sergeant marking his card as he left the office - 'Right, Hammer, ideal for engines.'
The Belfast was probably the best example of an aeroplane that needed a permanent GE on board!
In HeavyLift days, when we were going somewhere really outlandish, we would often take Mike McKeever. He was the most all-round experienced GE I ever flew with; nothing ever fazed him and he always came up with a solution!
In HeavyLift days, when we were going somewhere really outlandish, we would often take Mike McKeever. He was the most all-round experienced GE I ever flew with; nothing ever fazed him and he always came up with a solution!
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Oxfordshire
Age: 54
Posts: 470
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'd suggest that todays crop of GE's on the Tristar and VC10 fleet can hold their heads up with the best.
Nursing very aged fleets, their engineering decisions don't only encompass the possibility that the weep will become a nasty leak before the next landing, but there's also a guy upstairs with limbs missing who REALLY needs to get home tonight...
Nursing very aged fleets, their engineering decisions don't only encompass the possibility that the weep will become a nasty leak before the next landing, but there's also a guy upstairs with limbs missing who REALLY needs to get home tonight...
Join Date: May 2006
Location: west
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
GE's - Many Brilliant Mates
I spent 14 years on C130 then 6 years on VC10 working with GEs.
I have many happy memories of flying with, working with and socialising with true professionals who kept some ageing aircraft flying so that we could do a job.
I will never forget the excitement of Mick Libby finding a cowboy outfit shop in Nashville - the cowboy boots and stetson looked great with his flying suit
I have many happy memories of flying with, working with and socialising with true professionals who kept some ageing aircraft flying so that we could do a job.
I will never forget the excitement of Mick Libby finding a cowboy outfit shop in Nashville - the cowboy boots and stetson looked great with his flying suit
Thread Starter
Ahhhhh,
Mick Libby, now there's a name to conjure with. Great bloke, outlandish personality, and, failed flight engineer no less. But he encapsulated everything a GE could hope to be.
Mick Libby, now there's a name to conjure with. Great bloke, outlandish personality, and, failed flight engineer no less. But he encapsulated everything a GE could hope to be.
I do remember on C130's at the end of a week det to Pau in the 70's, that's in France for those who don't know. The GE wanted to put the aircraft tech for a hydraulic leak from the rudder booster pack, it only leaked when the flaps were extended. The captain said to him "I put the aircraft unserviceable, you're here to fix it, we're going home". Exit GE with tail between his legs, he did try to drop the captain in it when back at base but he got no support! We did, in those days, have a good few GE's with a time lock on their wallet! Where is the three Irish GE's, Paddy, Mac and Ernie. The "is" is intentional, as those in the know will understand!
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: wiltshire
Age: 65
Posts: 230
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Smuj , I have many happy memories of the GE's during my time on Albert, so many potential "red top" scandal headlines if the truth ever came out from those days. I just wonder if your mother ever flew on one of the families day trips we used to do in those happier times?