Author Seeking Accurate Information Regarding RAF Terminology
The problem with asking here is that most replies are / will be from those who served in the 70s (at best) and their terminology is woefully out of date. I joined in 1985 (so I’m also out of date, having left 5 years ago) and never did my contemporaries call RAF policemen ‘Snowdrops’. The term we used was ‘Scuffers’ but that might not be correct now.
You'll also see that there are terms that the old’uns don’t like, such as ‘skill fade’ and ‘stood up’. It doesn’t matter if they like them or not, they’re still used, but you’ll have a hard time deciphering that on here.
I'm afraid you’re asking the wrong audience. Unless you want historic stories, as told by an old folks’ home, I’d go elsewhere.
You'll also see that there are terms that the old’uns don’t like, such as ‘skill fade’ and ‘stood up’. It doesn’t matter if they like them or not, they’re still used, but you’ll have a hard time deciphering that on here.
I'm afraid you’re asking the wrong audience. Unless you want historic stories, as told by an old folks’ home, I’d go elsewhere.
Last edited by MG; 15th Feb 2020 at 06:45. Reason: I have more to add!
The problem with asking here is that most replies are / will be from those who served in the 70s (at best) and their terminology is woefully out of date. I joined in 1985 (so I’m also out of date, having left 5 years ago) and never did my contemporaries call RAF policemen ‘Snowdrops’. The term we used was ‘Scuffers’ but that might not be correct now.
You'll also see that there are terms that the old’uns don’t like, such as ‘skill fade’ and ‘stood up’. It doesn’t matter if they like them or not, they’re still used, but you’ll have a hard time deciphering that on here.
I'm afraid you’re asking the wrong audience. Unless you want historic stories, as told by an old folks’ home, I’d go elsewhere.
You'll also see that there are terms that the old’uns don’t like, such as ‘skill fade’ and ‘stood up’. It doesn’t matter if they like them or not, they’re still used, but you’ll have a hard time deciphering that on here.
I'm afraid you’re asking the wrong audience. Unless you want historic stories, as told by an old folks’ home, I’d go elsewhere.
Oh, I almost forgot - the OP should also make frequent mention of "Crabs"......
Jack
The intensive international co-operation in developing the F-35 (particularly between the USMC and RAF/FAA on the B-model) inevitably called for consensus between the type's British and US operators in vital areas of the terminology they use.
Such common parlance (especially for SOPs) would have been essential during the testing and conversion training programmes at Beaufort - and it's quite likely that, in turn, the USMC's 'stand up/stood up/was stood up' etc terms then slipped into use among the new British F-35B pilots and their senior officers.
However (ref the OP's query), whether "former F-35B pilots in the RAF" would reminisce about themselves as 'stood up/down' in their flying careers is debatable, and could be influenced by their previous squadrons and types.
A pal of mine with experience editing stories for aviation periodicals tells me that MoD and RAF press releases have become increasingly mired in such contemporary US parlance. Standardisation (particularly with F-35B) may make this inevitable, but it flies in the face of heritage - an essential part of RAF and FAA esprit de corps.
It remains to be seen how the yet-to-be-formed RAF/FAA squadrons (for the PoW carrier) adopt or eschew American parlance other than what's essential for operational or safety reasons.
Any Fleet Air Arm folks care to comment?
Such common parlance (especially for SOPs) would have been essential during the testing and conversion training programmes at Beaufort - and it's quite likely that, in turn, the USMC's 'stand up/stood up/was stood up' etc terms then slipped into use among the new British F-35B pilots and their senior officers.
However (ref the OP's query), whether "former F-35B pilots in the RAF" would reminisce about themselves as 'stood up/down' in their flying careers is debatable, and could be influenced by their previous squadrons and types.
A pal of mine with experience editing stories for aviation periodicals tells me that MoD and RAF press releases have become increasingly mired in such contemporary US parlance. Standardisation (particularly with F-35B) may make this inevitable, but it flies in the face of heritage - an essential part of RAF and FAA esprit de corps.
It remains to be seen how the yet-to-be-formed RAF/FAA squadrons (for the PoW carrier) adopt or eschew American parlance other than what's essential for operational or safety reasons.
Any Fleet Air Arm folks care to comment?
Last edited by XV490; 16th Feb 2020 at 07:19.
MG is quite right of course, slang / terminology changes very rapidly. What might have been cool banter last month seems dated today. That being the case, and the OP’s story apparently being set in the future ( talking of former F35 pilots), he can pretty much make up the terminology since no one knows what will be cool in the future.
As should be......
Airplane 
Aeroplane
, aircraft, airframe.
Enlisted men. We don't have any.
Mobile Aerial Port System (MAPS). United Kingdom Mobile Air Movements Squadron, as was. (UKMAMS)
alt
Aeroplane, aircraft, airframe.Enlisted men. We don't have any.
Mobile Aerial Port System (MAPS). United Kingdom Mobile Air Movements Squadron, as was. (UKMAMS)
alt
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my favourite....
landing gear.........undercarriage
oh...the RAF don't like the way North Americans use the word momentarily
eg "we will be starting engines momentarily...."
more correctly "we will be starting engines in a moment"
after several years of being berated over this, I tend to agree
landing gear.........undercarriage
oh...the RAF don't like the way North Americans use the word momentarily
eg "we will be starting engines momentarily...."
more correctly "we will be starting engines in a moment"
after several years of being berated over this, I tend to agree
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“Cabbage crate over the briny”.
OK, being sensible, until the OP tells is what he’s actually seeking, it’s all a bit of waste of keyboard ... isn’t it?
OK, being sensible, until the OP tells is what he’s actually seeking, it’s all a bit of waste of keyboard ... isn’t it?
Interesting, since the expression "Scuffers", as well as "Bizzies", has long been used to describe policemen in Liverpool, even earlier than the 1970s, so your own suggestion seems pretty historic. Maybe you served with a lot of Scousers! If the OP wants to use this expression , he should also be aware that Liverpool policewomen are called "Judy Scuffers".
Oh, I almost forgot - the OP should also make frequent mention of "Crabs"......
Jack
Oh, I almost forgot - the OP should also make frequent mention of "Crabs"......
Jack
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How very dare you, I was 20 years old and whilst wearing my boots I had the profile of a 9 iron! As for the ugly comment, utter rubbish as this was negated by the well known Lover's Elixir known as Wobbly.
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Learning has occurred!
