Fighter Pilots and Pistols
Just wondering why he'd be carrying a loaded pistol? One would assume that would be reserved for those on Ops or at least flying in harms way???
I used to carry a very neat little Colt .38 Auto under my flying suit in Norn Iron but later graduated to a .357 Magnum with a 4" barrel, which fitted the Service shoulder holster perfectly. Only drawback was the 6-shot breech but it did drill very neat holes at a considerable distance.
Both had to go many years ago (along with the .22 Browning target pistol) - after a very noisy afternoon on the range!
Ah, cordite!
Both had to go many years ago (along with the .22 Browning target pistol) - after a very noisy afternoon on the range!
Ah, cordite!
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I used to carry a very neat little Colt .38 Auto under my flying suit in Norn Iron but later graduated to a .357 Magnum with a 4" barrel, which fitted the Service shoulder holster perfectly. Only drawback was the 6-shot breech but it did drill very neat holes at a considerable distance.
Both had to go many years ago (along with the .22 Browning target pistol) - after a very noisy afternoon on the range!
Ah, cordite!
Both had to go many years ago (along with the .22 Browning target pistol) - after a very noisy afternoon on the range!
Ah, cordite!
Don’t get me started on the 5 target pistols (FAS and Webley) we also had to turn in on that fateful day ... along with several thousands of rounds of assorted calibres!
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Not Fighter pilots but Bomber crews.
Mid '70's. RAF Finningley. The V Force disperse.
6FTS briefing room closed off for the elite crews to discuss whatever.
Elite crews disperse to await 'The Bomber Controller's Whim'.
Young SAC sent in to tidy up after the 'Elite'.
Recovers 8 pistols and holsters.
Enter a very young Acting Pilot Officer (gash shag on Squadron) "Any of you chaps found a gun?".
How we laughed.
Mid '70's. RAF Finningley. The V Force disperse.
6FTS briefing room closed off for the elite crews to discuss whatever.
Elite crews disperse to await 'The Bomber Controller's Whim'.
Young SAC sent in to tidy up after the 'Elite'.
Recovers 8 pistols and holsters.
Enter a very young Acting Pilot Officer (gash shag on Squadron) "Any of you chaps found a gun?".
How we laughed.
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I recall some trouble with the odd Communist Terror attack and of all things gangsters robbing banks and supermarkets in Belgium in 1986.
At the NATO HQ we were not to bothered , but a German Colonel ramped up his personnel security by having a pistol in his belt. And promptly shot his buttock.
Many cruel jokes was made as he humped down the long hallway on his crutches. It heeled up nicely according to his secretary!?
One of the few to draw blood in the cold war.
At the NATO HQ we were not to bothered , but a German Colonel ramped up his personnel security by having a pistol in his belt. And promptly shot his buttock.
Many cruel jokes was made as he humped down the long hallway on his crutches. It heeled up nicely according to his secretary!?
One of the few to draw blood in the cold war.
Don’t get me started on the 5 target pistols (FAS and Webley) we also had to turn in on that fateful day .
Most of my friends reckon the noisy day will be when the guvmint comes to take them.
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Just wondering why he'd be carrying a loaded pistol? One would assume that would be reserved for those on Ops or at least flying in harms way???
We would do a hat off, no tea interview, perhaps they are stricter enforcers of discipline
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Magnum paaah, u want one of these, try forwarding to 3.50, I think she fires it 
Size does matter!
I woud rather see her Thirty-Eights!
I woud rather see her Thirty-Eights!
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I haven't seen any farm girls quite like her - and I live in the deep sticks surrounded by farms!
Back to the mundane, never being issued with a shoulder holster I found a pistol difficult to stow. It usually ended up in a remotely sited locker amid the survival gear. Certainly not readily accessible.
Back to the mundane, never being issued with a shoulder holster I found a pistol difficult to stow. It usually ended up in a remotely sited locker amid the survival gear. Certainly not readily accessible.
Gentleman Aviator
Mogwi
Would that be the one that dropped out of your suit pocket at a dinner party IIRC?? 
You may also recall a then contemporary of ours on 72 who had an ND - not career limiting as he finished up with many stars.....
I used to carry a very neat little Colt .38 Auto under my flying suit in Norn Iron
You may also recall a then contemporary of ours on 72 who had an ND - not career limiting as he finished up with many stars.....
'Twas indeed that very nasty "clunk" moment in the mess at Aldergrove, when I bent down to pick up a lady's hanky. Luckily the little weapon had a but safety (am I allowed to say that?) and was perfectly quiescent. The lady in question was an RUC officer and was also packing, so no probs! MOD plod gave a bit of heat until I showed the "personal protection on active service" chit on my FAC.
I did add a Velcro mod to the holster after that though!
Happy times!
mog
I did add a Velcro mod to the holster after that though!
Happy times!
mog
"Picking up a Lady'sHanky".....care to explain that in plain language for those of us unacquainted with every nuance of British Vernacular Idioms and slang?
Is that a polite way of saying you were peeking up skirt between courses?
Is that a polite way of saying you were peeking up skirt between courses?
peeping, probably.
peeping, probably.
On one Mineval at pre-pongo Wattisham, the supposition was that there'd probably be a bolthole needed overnight. So those of us who'd been on day flying were told to take our SLPs home with us....
No-one in their right mind leaves their weapon unguarded, so it was just as well that I delayed my shopping trip to Stowmarket until the 'war' was over!