RAF Beards...?

[BEagle]

Surely that's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in his earlier days?

Ahmadinejinda' ?

[jindabyne]

Ahmalinemess more like!

No probs with beards in the Services. But wouldn't advocate Prince Mike as any role model.

[reynoldsno1]

Former kipper fleet members may remember a Welsh Nimrod captain who sported a very impressive beard

In the 70's there were two navs at Kinloss who also had beards - one of them was myself.

[The Oberon]

Part of the February Carnival at Goose Bay was a beard growing competition. 2 airmen and 2 SNCOs allowed to grow a set. They had to be clean shaven 28 days before the event, I can't remember what the prize was but you could probably drink it.

[Pontius Navigator]

Originally Posted by The Oberon

Part of the February Carnival at Goose Bay was a beard growing competition. 2 airmen and 2 SNCOs allowed to grow a set. They had to be clean shaven 28 days before the event, I can't remember what the prize was but you could probably drink it.

Remember Rule 1 - must shave if you leave the Goose.

Rule 2 - get anyone with longer beard detached even for the day

[Tankertrashnav]

Its all to do with partial pressure of O2 required to flash burn the rotten food and other deposits in said facial hair ... I suppose you could say you could have a beard but enforce a degreasing wash of the facial hair before flight.

As a long time beard wearer I am somewhat miffed at the suggestion that my beard contains rotten food and is greasy. I shower every morning (at least) and invariably shampoo my beard and hair (what's left of it). A woman I was talking to once said she didn't like beards as they were "unhygienic". I suggested that if she was like most women she would probably only wash her hair every 3 - 4 days, and so my beard was probably a lot more hygienic than her hair. Didn't go down too well. In any case FAA aircrew on F4s often sported beards and as far as I know they didn't have any problems.

[fergineer]

Had my beard from 83 till 96 in the mob and kept it through civil flying till 04 and still have one today just a lot greyer.

[alwayslookingup]

In the 70s my Father was allowed to grow a beard and his hair before going to Republic of Ireland to visit family. I have some pics of him at the time looking curiously rakish. Hair wasn't very much longer than service length, just enough to not stand out as a British serviceman when in the South. "Modified Grooming Standards" I believe was the provision.

[cats_five]

Originally Posted by Tankertrashnav

<snip>
I suggested that if she was like most women she would probably only wash her hair every 3 - 4 days
<snip>.

A great many women wash their hair every day. The days of having it 'done' once a week and not washing it in-between ended some time in the 80s

[Tankertrashnav]

Check out your local Boots or similar. Shower caps still on the shelves. Mrs TTN has very long hair and washes hers about every 3 days as it takes an age to dry. It's straight, so she hasnt "had it done" (other than cut occasionally) once in the 50 years I've known her - just brushes/combs it herself.

[Pontius Navigator]

Originally Posted by cats_five

A great many women wash their hair every day. The days of having it 'done' once a week and not washing it in-between ended some time in the 80s

digressing from beards, in the late 50s and early 60s, One on, one clean and one in the laundry was the rule. At least showers were available but generally used as needed as there was not enough time/showers for everyone and same with baths.

Like cigarette smoke we must have stunk.

Although we had 3 flying suits, one was for QRA/Flying, one all badged up for 'best' , and one temperate climate suit. It needed Flying Clothing to remove the knife before laundering so that was a rare event too.

Luxury was the post-flight shower and big fluffy towels provided by the Flying Clothing team - not everyone availed themselves of this freebie.

[rolling20]

I remember reading somewhere Pontius, that it wasn’t until the Yanks came over here in WW2 , that we got into the habit of bathing more than once a week. My 8th Army veteran grandfather, often talked with affection of the time he was able to use a mobile Yankee Bath unit in Italy. He never mentioned the facilities that the 8th Army provided however.

[Melchett01]

Originally Posted by Old-Duffer

If male personnel are allowed beards because it would be religious discrimination not to allow them, then it will be sexual discrimination if females weren't allowed beards.

To be honest, when I saw the title of the thread, I did wonder if the OP was being brave and referring to the Urban Dictionary’s definition of a beard!

[Q-SKI]

A long, long time ago in a far away universe, I remember a 33 Sqn pilot with beard.

[CWO Geoff]

A very modern 'major general'?

Recent photo of Prince Henry
The Duke of Kent looks really happy to attend this event. However, I think that he needs to go back to basic officer training to learn how to tie his tie and to salute properly. He should have been airbrushed out of the picture.
What military regulation enables Prince Henry to wear a full beard whilst in RAF uniform?
What are the shoulder titles that he is wearing on that uniform? RAF Regiment?
Why does he wear a sword belt sans sword, scabbard and scabbard slings?
Why does he wear army wings on his ceremonial RAF uniform?

[Pontius Navigator]

Air Commandant RAF Honington.

I remember years ago that Boots Griffiths, at Air Commandant also wore shoulder boards even as he had been a GD/P.

[The Oberon]

The precedent for beards was set in the mid 30s when KGV was MRAF.


I understand that regardless of uniform, the wings worn are the ones belonging to the service in which they were awarded. Army for Prince Harry, RAF for Prince William and RN for Prince Andrew.

[Big Bad Dave]

BEagle

I was on the last Jag Major at Abingdon & I was wondering about the new style of Kimwipe that we got from stores!!

[MPN11]

Originally Posted by Pontius Navigator

Air Commandant RAF Honington.

I remember years ago that Boots Griffiths, at Air Commandant also wore shoulder boards even as he had been a GD/P.

ISTR that Griffiths had been CG RAF Regt.

[teeteringhead]

On Wings (sorry BEags - "The Flying Badge") not beards.

I once had to research the rules on Wings on Uniforms for a specific case - this was about 15-20 years ago so I don't know if still true.

Can't remember the reference either - maybe P1 ceremonial? - but I do recall the answer was as follows:

Army and RAF Wings only may be worn on RAF or Army uniforms. RN Wings may be worn on neither.

RN Wings may be worn on RN or RM uniforms only. Army Wings may be worn on RM uniforms.

Never did get the answer about RAF wings on RM ............

So Harry Sussex's wings are kosher - not so sure about the face fungus though.