RAF KHORMAKSAR
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I found it rather refreshing they took the time to add the RAF / trooping to the show, they could have simply took the cheaper option and did a shot of people leaving the door of an aircraft, background aircraft noise etc, but no, they put money into generating computer graphics of the VC10, Argosy and Vulcan to give it some realism and authenticity.
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brakedwell writes: By the way, the RMP were stationed in Little Aden in 64/66.
Absolutely right, although their main energies seem to have been taken up by energetically enforcing the 5mph speed limit in camp and making the lives of the soldiers as miserable as possible. Fortunately my unit spent the working days at Falaise Field - as the airstrip was somewhat optimistically known.
Absolutely right, although their main energies seem to have been taken up by energetically enforcing the 5mph speed limit in camp and making the lives of the soldiers as miserable as possible. Fortunately my unit spent the working days at Falaise Field - as the airstrip was somewhat optimistically known.
Brakedwell and Dougie M - do either of you remember the court martial of the Argosy captain I referred to in my post 581? He had been involved in a taxying accident. I attended as officer under instruction and thought the court was pretty harsh. That's when I learned that no matter whose fault it really is, if something goes wrong the captain will always carry the can.
Mind you, when it all goes right it's the captain who picks up the AFC while the rest get a commendation - if they are lucky. I suppose its all fair enough in the end!
Mind you, when it all goes right it's the captain who picks up the AFC while the rest get a commendation - if they are lucky. I suppose its all fair enough in the end!
TT - I am certain there were no Argosy taxying accidents between August 64 and August 66 when I was on 105. However DW, a good friend of mine, demolished the fin of an Argosy with the wing tip of his Beverley and was court martialled then sent home.
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
I dined with an ex-Army guy last night. He spent 6 weeks in Aden, ex-Malaysia, as the incoming battalion was late from UK and they were diverted from their return to UK.
He tells me that there were no "Special Forces" at that time as the only people who knew that term were the Special Forces themselves; it was not a term in general use until later.
I think the public perception of the SAS etc only arose after the Iranian Embassy siege in 1980 though possibly in the later 60s and early 70s as their role in Borneo emerged.
He tells me that there were no "Special Forces" at that time as the only people who knew that term were the Special Forces themselves; it was not a term in general use until later.
I think the public perception of the SAS etc only arose after the Iranian Embassy siege in 1980 though possibly in the later 60s and early 70s as their role in Borneo emerged.
More like the 50's PN. I got to know John Cooper well when he was a major in the Sultan of Oman Armed Forces. He was David Stirling's driver in the original Long Range Desert Group and saw action in Malaya then stormed the Jebel Akhdar with the SAS in 1958. Later he went native in Yemen after we left Aden and passed valuable intelligence back to the powers that be.
I certainly recall a SAS section being dropped off at Riyan in 66/67 by 105 Sqn Argosy, complete with Pink Panther LWB Landrover. One of them was very keen to to a deal with me on the Australian lightweight flying suit some of us had issued and that I was wearing that day.
Brakedwell - thanks for the correction - I remembered it as Argosy on Argosy, but it was 51 years ago. As I said I attended your friend's court martial and thought they were a bit hard on him as there were extenuating circumstances (incorrectly painted lines on the dispersal etc). He wasn't helped by his barrister who didn't know a thing about aircraft and was about as much use as a chocolate teapot! Hope it didnt DW's career.
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The only Court Martial I recall, 66 - 67 was when Dai H****** - H**** discharged his sidearm in the bar and the JAG and his team ran off the end of the runway at Khormaksar. The call of "Superfine - Brake dwell - Full Reverse" not happening on their Brit. Descended into farce when the JAG passed the accused and escort in the hallway and said. "Hello Dai, I haven't seen your father for a while. Is he well?" I also recall dropping off a pinkie and patrol at Salalah. Not in the Protectorate but they started off there.
DW ended up at Lyneham on C130's before leaving the RAF to buy a Travel Agency in Calne. Sadly it went bust in the early seventies. He was a graduate of Sleaford Tech, so taxying accidents would normally accelerate his rise up the greasy pole if some VSO's are anything to by 
The only Court Martial I recall, 66 - 67 was when Dai H****** - H**** discharged his sidearm in the bar and the JAG and his team ran off the end of the runway at Khormaksar. The call of "Superfine - Brake dwell - Full Reverse" not happening on their Brit. Descended into farce when the JAG passed the accused and escort in the hallway and said. "Hello Dai, I haven't seen your father for a while. Is he well?" I also recall dropping off a pinkie and patrol at Salalah. Not in the Protectorate but they started off there.
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Dai H - H - there's a name to remember. I bumped into him somewhere not long after I had retrained as a nav. He only remembered me as a rockape and when I told him what I was doing he merely remarked "Ah, talking ballast now".
Great character, I rather doubt if he would survive long these days.
Great character, I rather doubt if he would survive long these days.
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brakedwell (#616),
Not exactly a "judge", but what was known (in my time) as the "Deputy Judge Advocate" . He was analagous to a Magistrates' Clerk in a Civil Court;
..."They preside over all proceedings in the Service courts, which comprise the Court Martial, the Summary Appeal Court, and the Service Civilian Court. The judges control the practice and procedure, give rulings on legal matters, and sum up the evidence for the jury (known as a "Board"). Defendants are entitled to a defending counsel or solicitor, and their unit may provide an Accused's Assisting Officer if they so wish"... [Wiki]
In minor cases (District Court Martials), IIRC, we just got along with a locally appointed Prosecuting and Defending Officers; only a DJA was there to keep the Court on the rails..
Danny.
Not exactly a "judge", but what was known (in my time) as the "Deputy Judge Advocate" . He was analagous to a Magistrates' Clerk in a Civil Court;
..."They preside over all proceedings in the Service courts, which comprise the Court Martial, the Summary Appeal Court, and the Service Civilian Court. The judges control the practice and procedure, give rulings on legal matters, and sum up the evidence for the jury (known as a "Board"). Defendants are entitled to a defending counsel or solicitor, and their unit may provide an Accused's Assisting Officer if they so wish"... [Wiki]
In minor cases (District Court Martials), IIRC, we just got along with a locally appointed Prosecuting and Defending Officers; only a DJA was there to keep the Court on the rails..
Danny.
The only Court Martial I recall, 66 - 67 was when Dai H****** - H**** discharged his sidearm in the bar and the JAG and his team ran off the end of the runway at Khormaksar. The call of "Superfine - Brake dwell - Full Reverse" not happening on their Brit. Descended into farce when the JAG passed the accused and escort in the hallway and said. "Hello Dai, I haven't seen your father for a while. Is he well?" I also recall dropping off a pinkie and patrol at Salalah. Not in the Protectorate but they started off there.
I was enjoying a cool KEO in the Nicosia OM bar in 1958 when the station MO shot his little toe off, but they didn't court martial him! We had all been issued with Smith and Wesson .38 revolvers and five rounds of ammunition, but due to the numbers involved there were no holsters and belts available. We either stuck our weapons down the front of our trousers like a bunch of pirates or shoved them in a trouser pocket. However SSO's did say bullets had to removed when on the station. The MO didn't and was fingering the revolver in his trouser pocket when he accidentally pulled the trigger. There was a hell of a bang and half of 54F Squadron wet their knickers, according to us truckers!
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