You know you're getting old when......
Gentleman Aviator
Check digit certainly there when one joined AOTS in early '68. During training one was enlisted as an airman, so the number was 802****Q.
When commissioned, it changed (sic) to Q802****.
When commissioned, it changed (sic) to Q802****.
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Wingco Arthur was no longer actively flying then. My instructor was Charlie Parker. CFI was-----Bishop who went in with 3 others in a Piper Caribbean later that year by hitting the trees on take-off.
My late Father, join date 01.04.1957, number L420****.
At that time was there not something about National Service entrants having a different style of number, maybe without a letter? He certainly used to tell me anyone could tell if you were NS or Regular from your number.
At that time was there not something about National Service entrants having a different style of number, maybe without a letter? He certainly used to tell me anyone could tell if you were NS or Regular from your number.
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used to tell me anyone could tell if you were NS or Regular from your number.
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My late Father, join date 01.04.1957, number L420****
Yes there were seperate groups of number depending how you started your service.
National Servicemen had two groups of numbers, one was used for former ATC members and the other for 'ordinary' National Servicemen.
There were two similar groups for Regular's.
There were the well known numbering scheme for Apprentice's and Boy Entrants.
With the latter, most of us could work out the Entry of anyone within +/- 1 Entry, just form his service number.
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Tengah Type, greetings.
I'm know how you feel. I to, did the Singapore run courtesy British Eagle. Two tours at Tengah, 60 /62 on 60 Sqn and 67/69 with the 74th (Wiwols again !). First tour happy days down Bugis and single. Second tour married with kids!! Happy days though on both.
I'm know how you feel. I to, did the Singapore run courtesy British Eagle. Two tours at Tengah, 60 /62 on 60 Sqn and 67/69 with the 74th (Wiwols again !). First tour happy days down Bugis and single. Second tour married with kids!! Happy days though on both.
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The Tengah Troop here seems very numerous! 
ATCO WSRT, 67-70.
British Eagle out, RAF VC-10 home
ATCO WSRT, 67-70.
British Eagle out, RAF VC-10 home
Lightning 5. Greetings to you as well.
I only managed one tour on 45 Sqn between 63-66. But may have tanked you on your second tour.
My last run to the real Bugis Street was in 82, en-route to Hong Kong, where one of the Kaities demonstrated "her" operation to a very bemused WRAF Wing Commander passenger on the trip! The next time in 95 to the new Bugis Street was a great disappointment.
I only managed one tour on 45 Sqn between 63-66. But may have tanked you on your second tour.
My last run to the real Bugis Street was in 82, en-route to Hong Kong, where one of the Kaities demonstrated "her" operation to a very bemused WRAF Wing Commander passenger on the trip! The next time in 95 to the new Bugis Street was a great disappointment.
Happy days at Tengah
Out with British Eagle, back by VC10 which was much less painful apart from the smoke pouring out of the air conditioning vents, forcing a longer stopover at Gan.
My Dad's number was 343*** (1921 vintage)
My Dad's number was 343*** (1921 vintage)
Avoid imitations
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You mean some of you got more than three numbers?
No, I'm not that old....
I did feel quite old when I saw an actual airframe in which I'd done some of my flying training arrive as the station gate guardian. But a whole lot older when they took it away again because it had become too old even to be the gate guardian....
Now they've changed it at least twice more!
But at least I'm still getting airborne.
No, I'm not that old....
I did feel quite old when I saw an actual airframe in which I'd done some of my flying training arrive as the station gate guardian. But a whole lot older when they took it away again because it had become too old even to be the gate guardian....
Now they've changed it at least twice more!
But at least I'm still getting airborne.
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I was called up for NS in Nov '49 and allocated a number 3124*** which I was told indicated I had been in the ATC. As I had volunteered for NS pilot training before actually going to Padgate I must have mentioned the ATC thing at the recruiting office in Ealing. As far as I know nobody had actually confirmed my ATC service. Others had numbers starting 4******. After two years I became Plt Off Bloggs RAFVR with the same number. After a few months I rejoined on a short service commission, retraining the same number. In 1956 I was granted a permanent commission and the number stayed with me until I retired in 1969. In 1976 I joined the RAFVR(T) and still kept that number until they kicked me out kicking and screaming in Dec 1996. Incidentally when I joined BEA my staff number ended in ***75 which I was told indicated a pilot. Don't know if BOAC had a similar system.
Goudie, #165, correct, he was a Regular, but not ex ATC, unless he BS'd about ATC and it wasn't checked.
Do families still have to quote "last three" when going to eg medical centre on camp. In fact, do families still get cared for by medical centre/dentist, or is that another "you know you're old when...?
Do families still have to quote "last three" when going to eg medical centre on camp. In fact, do families still get cared for by medical centre/dentist, or is that another "you know you're old when...?
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white thighs, girdle and suspenders, and
Then someone who should have been publicly hung invented tights...I've lost count of the number of women who are bemused by the male delight at a stockinged leg. As I always tell them, you don't have to understand, just indulge us.
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alwayslookingup
Apologies, my error re. ATC. Former ATC's Nos started... 320 or 350 not too sure which...must be getting old!
Apologies, my error re. ATC. Former ATC's Nos started... 320 or 350 not too sure which...must be getting old!
Last edited by goudie; 26th Mar 2014 at 11:12.
We used to call the white thigh gap between the top of the stocking and the knickers the Giggle Zone