You know it's horsecrock you're shovelling when you need to explain it
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I don’t envy the person facing the dilemma of who to select for the RAF 100 Hero’s: ‘shall I pick the white male who did 80 bombing missions and was awarded a raft of medals for gallantry or go for the female who’s ‘big’ in the LGBT network?’
Clearly the latter more accurately reflects the modern Royal Air Force.
Clearly the latter more accurately reflects the modern Royal Air Force.
Ken
This should be easy. The LGBT rep really should not make the cut unless they/she/he actually do something heroic - ie. put their life in peril for the benefit of others. I see no evidence of this.
So who in modern times would I pick - there will be plenty of good stories, with a positive equality aspect (gender, religion or sexual preference) in the last 20 years of the Operational Honours List. Someone has already mentioned Flt Lt Michelle Goodnan DFC - then there is Flt Lt Laura Nickolson DFC - plus Sgt Rachel Robinson QGM - there are many more I’m sure seeing that female aircrew have been flying for the best part of 30 years. But the 100 needs to be proportionate to the actual make up of the RAF.
Otherwise this is positive discrimination. But branding our best sports people as ‘heroes’ is an insult to our real heroes, those that have put their lives on the line. They are in the modern RAF and you don’t need to look that hard to find them...
Rant over
This should be easy. The LGBT rep really should not make the cut unless they/she/he actually do something heroic - ie. put their life in peril for the benefit of others. I see no evidence of this.
So who in modern times would I pick - there will be plenty of good stories, with a positive equality aspect (gender, religion or sexual preference) in the last 20 years of the Operational Honours List. Someone has already mentioned Flt Lt Michelle Goodnan DFC - then there is Flt Lt Laura Nickolson DFC - plus Sgt Rachel Robinson QGM - there are many more I’m sure seeing that female aircrew have been flying for the best part of 30 years. But the 100 needs to be proportionate to the actual make up of the RAF.
Otherwise this is positive discrimination. But branding our best sports people as ‘heroes’ is an insult to our real heroes, those that have put their lives on the line. They are in the modern RAF and you don’t need to look that hard to find them...
Rant over
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Yeah but, . . again ...both events are fairly south-east centric and, unless your're an invitee to the Air Commodore's tent at RIAT, or pitch-up the previous evening, with the traffic congestion, you won't get within 5 miles of the airfield. . and that's on a normal year, let alone 100 up !
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I don’t envy the person facing the dilemma of who to select for the RAF 100 Hero’s: ‘shall I pick the white male who did 80 bombing missions and was awarded a raft of medals for gallantry or go for the female who’s ‘big’ in the LGBT network?’
Clearly the latter more accurately reflects the modern Royal Air Force.
Clearly the latter more accurately reflects the modern Royal Air Force.
Looking for heroes? How about these? These are some of the Allied bomber crews* who were shot down over occupied Europe during WWII and managed to evade successfully back to the UK.
One of them was shot down on his first trip - but, despite that, he returned to 'Ops' and did 39 more. He's still with us.. but as he says, he no longer buys green bananas!
Bob Barckley (8th row down, far right) was a 22 year old Typhoon pilot - he was the first to destroy a V1 by tipping it over. He's still going strong at 97.. (disregard the comment in the link about V2s!)
Another hero is Bob Frost (top left in the photo below). He was a 19 year old tail gunner in a Wellington. From being shot down over Belgium on his 22nd 'Op', it took him just 3 weeks to cross the frontier into Spain. He's now 95 years old and he'd welcome visitors - so why not drop in if you're in the area!
Ami Court Care Home
198 Dover Rd,
Walmer,
Deal CT14 7NB
Tel: 01304 371126
* Not all Brits.
One of them was shot down on his first trip - but, despite that, he returned to 'Ops' and did 39 more. He's still with us.. but as he says, he no longer buys green bananas!
Bob Barckley (8th row down, far right) was a 22 year old Typhoon pilot - he was the first to destroy a V1 by tipping it over. He's still going strong at 97.. (disregard the comment in the link about V2s!)
Another hero is Bob Frost (top left in the photo below). He was a 19 year old tail gunner in a Wellington. From being shot down over Belgium on his 22nd 'Op', it took him just 3 weeks to cross the frontier into Spain. He's now 95 years old and he'd welcome visitors - so why not drop in if you're in the area!
Ami Court Care Home
198 Dover Rd,
Walmer,
Deal CT14 7NB
Tel: 01304 371126
* Not all Brits.
Last edited by PPRuNeUser0139; 15th Apr 2018 at 07:09. Reason: Added Bob Barckley..
Yes great post, sidevalve. My poor Royal Air Force, what are they doing to you?
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75 years ago 617 Sqn flew on OP Chastise against the dams. 8 aircraft out of 19 lost. Take hard knocks. Give them harder. Screw "branding". Remember the point of it all.
But the 100 needs to be proportionate to the actual make up of the RAF.
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Such a shame that what should have been a memorable milestone in the RAF's history has been diluted by this thoughtless branding exercise. My heart goes out to those who have gone before. That their memory should be degraded by such a childish piece of artwork saddens me greatly and I use the word "artwork" in its loosest sense.
Some top brass heads should roll for this.
If they're not proud of your heritage, I am.
Some top brass heads should roll for this.
If they're not proud of your heritage, I am.
It would seem that Dykes are more important than Dams in this new version of our RAF history. The deliberate denigration of heroes by including the term to describe ,often dubious, modern Wednesday afternoon "achievers".
That's me probably banned , but I really am just up fed up to the back teeth with this pseudo-intellectual irrelevant claptrap from the pony tails, being sucked up to by VSO's waving the cheque books whilst admiring the Emperor's new clothes .
That's me probably banned , but I really am just up fed up to the back teeth with this pseudo-intellectual irrelevant claptrap from the pony tails, being sucked up to by VSO's waving the cheque books whilst admiring the Emperor's new clothes .
Well, I've just taken a look at some of the "100"......I don't want to do anyone down because I don't know the individuals involved, but could somebody please explain to me WTF is going on? I always associate the word "hero" with courage or bravery.....there are quite a few on this forum who should be on that list! Who chose them? Maybe I just need to be enlightened in this "brave" new world of ours! Good grief.....call me old fashioned eh!!
