Egg banjos bounced by sarnie barmy army
smujsmith, at the superior Oxonian aerodrome, we used to specify our preferred meal for each flight when we did things properly on the RAF's premier tanker squadron. Including on any 3-5 hr trip. Until, that is, the shiny loadmasters became involved when we were dumbed down to the execrable 10101 nonsense, because they couldn't be ar$ed to liaise with the ever-helpful folk at in-flight. So a diet of S1 boxes became the norm on any flight which wasn't a 'route' as they considered an AAR trip to be a 'local'.....
The rattling swine pie was a phenomenon of the early 1980s, now consigned to history!
The rattling swine pie was a phenomenon of the early 1980s, now consigned to history!
Last edited by BEagle; 9th Mar 2014 at 06:54.
Beagle,
Heh heh, I too once believed the bumph that said we could "pre choose" our meals when setting off "en route". Unfortunately we had a chap wearing the acronym SAGE (Senior Aircraft ground Engineer) a Flight Seargeant no less. Whatever we chose for our first route, would suffice for the rest of our time (it was on his computer, and never varied). Hence six years of AA for breakfast and ACC for lunch. It was, after a few months, a pleasure to take "loadies choice" once clear of the establishment in Wiltshire, although, like you I believe that RAF in flight catering tends toward the very best. Its sad that you chaps ended up with butty boxes when tanking, I'm sure they could be as gruelling as some standard routes, probably more so.
Smudge
Heh heh, I too once believed the bumph that said we could "pre choose" our meals when setting off "en route". Unfortunately we had a chap wearing the acronym SAGE (Senior Aircraft ground Engineer) a Flight Seargeant no less. Whatever we chose for our first route, would suffice for the rest of our time (it was on his computer, and never varied). Hence six years of AA for breakfast and ACC for lunch. It was, after a few months, a pleasure to take "loadies choice" once clear of the establishment in Wiltshire, although, like you I believe that RAF in flight catering tends toward the very best. Its sad that you chaps ended up with butty boxes when tanking, I'm sure they could be as gruelling as some standard routes, probably more so.
Smudge
Cunning Artificer
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While I was in the FEAF shooting team we once entertained the CinC Far East Forces to luncheon at Nee Soon Range during the annual inter-services match. He wasn't the least bit bothered about eating Roti Chanai with his fingers, dunking pieces in the communal curry bowl. He declared the food served in the army mess tent was "dire". I rather suspect it was really our ice cold Tiger beer that attracted him, though.
I think the classiest food I ever ate in the Royal Air Force was when "minesweeping" the galleys of our VVIP Andovers at Northolt during after-flight servicing. The smoked salmon, caviar, vol au vents and other expensive VVIP leftovers were all "finger food".
I think the classiest food I ever ate in the Royal Air Force was when "minesweeping" the galleys of our VVIP Andovers at Northolt during after-flight servicing. The smoked salmon, caviar, vol au vents and other expensive VVIP leftovers were all "finger food".
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I only ever got the white box of doom when travelling as pax on 130's, VC10 etc. However new culinary delights were revealed when travelling with the E3's. It was almost palatable.
I saved up my air miles and travelled back from Oz business class last year on SIA. I was chatting to my steward who remembered the RAF being at Changi, in fact his father worked there in some capacity or other. I was telling him about the 130 and 10 and he asked me what the food was like as he set my table for a starter of duck breast and plum dressing with a champagne aperitif. 'Much like this' I said. 'Gosh, you guys were the best' he replied with admiration.
Who was I to etc etc...
I saved up my air miles and travelled back from Oz business class last year on SIA. I was chatting to my steward who remembered the RAF being at Changi, in fact his father worked there in some capacity or other. I was telling him about the 130 and 10 and he asked me what the food was like as he set my table for a starter of duck breast and plum dressing with a champagne aperitif. 'Much like this' I said. 'Gosh, you guys were the best' he replied with admiration.
Who was I to etc etc...
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Being not inclined to examine n pages of jolly dits, I summarise by saying that I believe His Browness has a point. Standards, tradition and discipline at this level has gone to the foxhounds. The Wardroom and Mess, when not actually cleared for action, is a place to eat by civilised standards. if you only want a butty, isn't the place for that the ante room or your local friendly feeder?
My first experience of a none Flag wardroom was Culdrose in '76. In normal conversation, the Air Force was derided for allowing working rig (eg growbags) in their Mess. The Navy only allowed it in the ante room. I was a bit miffed at the time as I was still largely Real Air Force orientated. Years and experience, though, revealed the logic. Let go of one standard and a shed load of others follow it.
OK, I'm old fashioned and it's no longer my concern; but I still care.
My first experience of a none Flag wardroom was Culdrose in '76. In normal conversation, the Air Force was derided for allowing working rig (eg growbags) in their Mess. The Navy only allowed it in the ante room. I was a bit miffed at the time as I was still largely Real Air Force orientated. Years and experience, though, revealed the logic. Let go of one standard and a shed load of others follow it.
OK, I'm old fashioned and it's no longer my concern; but I still care.
Last edited by GOLF_BRAVO_ZULU; 10th Mar 2014 at 00:06. Reason: Crap typing
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GBZ, I became a teacher when I left the mob and one of my headmasters was a stickler for correct uniform. He would pounce on a minor misdemeanour such as having the wrong colour socks. I once asked him why he was so keen about enforcing school uniform policy. 'Because if you win the battle of the socks you don't have to fight the battle of the shirt or shoes' he replied. I learned a lot from that guy.
Beagle - having only flown on the Victor, your tales of the culinary delights available on later tankers fill me with envy.
There was, in fact, provision for hot food on the Victor in the form of a can heater. A can of soup inserted in this device shorly after engine start would, with any luck, be luke warm by the time you reached top of descent after a longish sortie. Thus the device was carried around as a useless (and unused) bit of extra payload for the lifetime of the aircraft!
There was, in fact, provision for hot food on the Victor in the form of a can heater. A can of soup inserted in this device shorly after engine start would, with any luck, be luke warm by the time you reached top of descent after a longish sortie. Thus the device was carried around as a useless (and unused) bit of extra payload for the lifetime of the aircraft!
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Archetypal example of Sun headline quoted by OP. Good to see the sub-editors are still on song.
Also the Major General doesn't have to bother with scolding his chaps about how they write (use of capitals etc) he just needs to refer them to JSP 101 (if it still exists!).
I've just had my lunch, a still warm slice of topside with serious horseradish sandwiched between 2 slices of farmhouse bread and butter (x2)
Rgds SOS
Also the Major General doesn't have to bother with scolding his chaps about how they write (use of capitals etc) he just needs to refer them to JSP 101 (if it still exists!).
I've just had my lunch, a still warm slice of topside with serious horseradish sandwiched between 2 slices of farmhouse bread and butter (x2)
Rgds SOS
Originally Posted by SOSL
...I've just had my lunch, a still warm slice of topside with serious horseradish sandwiched between 2 slices of farmhouse bread and butter (x2)
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JSP 101 does still exist but it's now a "guide", not an instruction. http://www.da.mod.uk/publications/li...une%202010.pdf It can be disregarded as standards are now optional.
GBZ - does that include spelling and punctuation -what will Staff College tutors do with their time.
A few months ago had the bizarre experience of going to a friend's for supper, to find myself sitting opposite my BSC tutor from 1986.
A few months ago had the bizarre experience of going to a friend's for supper, to find myself sitting opposite my BSC tutor from 1986.
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
Did you have the same mount as in the Vulcan?
First attempt, pierce triangular holes on opposite sides of can. Insert can in heater. As it heated soup on the low side, or both middle sides, would leak out.
Second attempt, pierce two triangular holes on same side and ensure these remained top side in the heater which was mounted at an angle. Why did they design it that way?
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As we seem to be in an inflight-catering mode, perhaps I can mention the Type 52 Resistance unit as used in old flying machines which used the Receiver R1155. This unit dropped the aircraft 24v down to 18v for said receiver, while the T1154 used the full 24v whack. It was a circular unit, open at the top with a wire mesh. In the UK it was very handy for warming things like pork pies, but not so much use in the Middle East. We - dare I say it? - ate them with our bare hands, although the commissioned crew members may have had a china plate, knife and fork and pristine linen serviette. In the ME we had the ubiquitous white box with, probably, 2 buttered bread rolls, a piece of fruit perhaps and always a hard-boiled egg. How I loved those eggs; look to the rear out of the astrodome, remove Verey pistol and release the egg through the hole. It flew under the tailplane IIRC and landed somewhere in the sand below. It is rumoured that one of our navs, a reconstituted WW2 veteran with an 'O' brevet, could follow the trails along our routes.
although the commissioned crew members may have had a china plate, knife and fork and pristine linen serviette.
SERVIETTE?
Napkin, old chap, napkin
The good general would be shocked!
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I still cannot look at a chicken drumstick without thinking of the cling film wrapped plastic tasting miniature Biafrian chicken drumsticks the RAF used to stick in the butty boxes of the 70's
In the 1970s when I was regularly chauffeured around the globe by the RAF’s AT force there was little doubt that the preferable way to travel was by 53 Sqn Belfast and in terms of catering they were in a league of their own. When down route the loadies frequently used to bypass in-flight catering and head for the local supermarket/deli returning laden with gastronomic delights which would be served throughout the following flight. My memories of the running buffets that were laid out on the bandstand, can compete favourably with some of the better meals that I have had in up market restaurants.
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When 46 Sqdn re-equipped with Andovers, quite a few flights were down route to Malta etc. We had a Loadie whose last tour had been on the Comet VIP flight at Lynham...his name was Dudley. He would appear on the flight deck with a tray of beautifully arranged sandwiches, sans crusts and decoratively garnished. Everyone was quite hesitant in choosing a delicacy in case it spoiled the array.
