Using Rank on Retirement
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It can go the other way. Tanking a Buc to the gulf in 68 back seater seemed out of touch with calls a bit. After landing changing break chute and refuelling with back seater helping we went to the mess for supper. A mess person said use the staff dining room as VIP has the feeder. Half way through the meal a steward came in and said its bleeding chaos out there they have lost a bloody admiral back seater says o dear thats me.
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And back to the current day, I’ve been invited by a well known pilot union to join a webinar and the two guest speakers are being advertised as ‘Captain’. Neither are currently flying and I just don’t get it!
To the better informed than me can I ask? If I have a command with a small airline then join a bigger one as a FO do I still call myself Captain? Therefore, if I no longer have a job do I still call myself Captain?
Just curious.
To the better informed than me can I ask? If I have a command with a small airline then join a bigger one as a FO do I still call myself Captain? Therefore, if I no longer have a job do I still call myself Captain?
Just curious.
Names for a smile
At Wildenrath in the early sixties two of the ladies in the Officers' Mess were named Trudi Cant and Susie Quinn. We had lots of fun with both. (Well that's my memory of it; any one else there at the time to corroborate?)
Or, the Navy providing SAR at Silverstone, when yet another oldish gent, this one in Sports Jacket, saunters up to the RN Cab and assembled bored aircrew lounging around awaiting any trade. "Afternoon chaps, thought I'd pop over and see how things are." On seeing some quizzical looks from the crew he decided he better explain his interest in their welfare ... "Oh, by the way, I'm FONAC." (Flag Officer Naval Air Command). Several then recognised/believed him - except for one at the front who said, words to the effect of "FONAC? Yer, right mate! And I'm the Queen of Sheba!!! And this is ......". As he turned round to introduce the person next to him as "Donald Duck" (or some such) he saw the look of absolute horror spreading over the faces of the rest of the crew!!!! When being told this story I was laughing so much by the end I never found out how FONAC took it!!!!!! Quite how the "guilty one" thought some posh bloke in the middle of the Silverstone circuit would even think of calling themselves FONAC if they weren't is, shall we say, "a tad short-sighted"!!!!
Last edited by Hot 'n' High; 14th Mar 2021 at 16:17.
The Padre at RAF Hullavington in 1962 spent his spare time tending to the Officers Mess gardens, usually in tatty gardening dress. It was always fun when a new course arrived for the Nav School as there was always sombody who would arrive In their new MG/Morgan, present from Daddy for being commisioned and demand from the "Peasant" where to park his beautiful car. The Padre in full Wing Commander uniform would make a point of sitting at the same table as the new arrival for lunch causing a certain amount of discomfort as well as a valuable lesson in respect for others.
Back in the mists of time (1966/67) the RAF Telephone system relied on a relay of exchanges manned mainly by WRAF. To connect from Marham to Leuchars/Lossie or similar required connections to "Eastern", "Stanbridge","Northern" "Scottish" ( or some such). The call would arrive at the station where the operator would plug a jack plug into the appropriate socket to achieve the connection. Sometimes calls were misdirected.
Most flying squadrons had a dozen phones, one of which was the "Ops" phone. There were no "Ops" rooms, as such, so the phone was in the corner of the crew room manned by a co-pilot or Nav joed for the day.
It was common practice for "Jokers" on the squadron to call the "Ops" number and announce themselves as "AOC", "the Pope", "Station Commander" and other humourous appointments.. The story goes that on a Vulcan squadron that the phone rang for the caller, who was the AOC, to talk to the Station Commander. It was not the first "Spoof" call oi the day so the duty responder said "Why dont you just F--k Off"
It was the real AOC ( Ted Le Bas?) who after being connected to the Station Commander requested the culprit in his office at Bawtry at 0800 the following day.,
The following morning our hero in best uniform, shiny shoes etc is there at the appointed hour. The PSO tells him to wait. AOC arrives and proceeds to his office ignoring the trembling Flying Officer. At 1230 the AOC departs for lunch and the PSO tells the Flying Officer to go to the Mess and grab a quick lunch and the AOC will see him after lunch. At 1400 AOC returns and ignores the quivering jelly of a Flying Officer. Eventually at 1700 the young lad is summoned to the presence to hear his fate. After a few minutes the AOC looks up and says "Why dont you just F--k Off". There were no further recriminations, but people were a bit more carefull on the telephone afterwards.
I suppose in these days it would now be "Bullying" and deserve a multi million compensation.
Back in the mists of time (1966/67) the RAF Telephone system relied on a relay of exchanges manned mainly by WRAF. To connect from Marham to Leuchars/Lossie or similar required connections to "Eastern", "Stanbridge","Northern" "Scottish" ( or some such). The call would arrive at the station where the operator would plug a jack plug into the appropriate socket to achieve the connection. Sometimes calls were misdirected.
Most flying squadrons had a dozen phones, one of which was the "Ops" phone. There were no "Ops" rooms, as such, so the phone was in the corner of the crew room manned by a co-pilot or Nav joed for the day.
It was common practice for "Jokers" on the squadron to call the "Ops" number and announce themselves as "AOC", "the Pope", "Station Commander" and other humourous appointments.. The story goes that on a Vulcan squadron that the phone rang for the caller, who was the AOC, to talk to the Station Commander. It was not the first "Spoof" call oi the day so the duty responder said "Why dont you just F--k Off"
It was the real AOC ( Ted Le Bas?) who after being connected to the Station Commander requested the culprit in his office at Bawtry at 0800 the following day.,
The following morning our hero in best uniform, shiny shoes etc is there at the appointed hour. The PSO tells him to wait. AOC arrives and proceeds to his office ignoring the trembling Flying Officer. At 1230 the AOC departs for lunch and the PSO tells the Flying Officer to go to the Mess and grab a quick lunch and the AOC will see him after lunch. At 1400 AOC returns and ignores the quivering jelly of a Flying Officer. Eventually at 1700 the young lad is summoned to the presence to hear his fate. After a few minutes the AOC looks up and says "Why dont you just F--k Off". There were no further recriminations, but people were a bit more carefull on the telephone afterwards.
I suppose in these days it would now be "Bullying" and deserve a multi million compensation.
And then there was "station farm, duty pig!"
and "Brown, you're through"
and "say again all after Good Morning!"
I fear that this next is not unique, but believe it to be true. I might even have participated.
RAFG had a talking clock to coordinate hacks, The clock, on the phone, was not infallible, and a WAAF deputised in real time on occasion. And occasionally answered back, like a precursor of Alexa. Then again it might never have happened ..............................
Puerile, but fun at the time.
One more confession. S Met O at a certain fighter station in RAFG was not all popular [not unusual, but extreme]. We had a new cleaner girl, not German, but perhaps Turkish? Scarcely a word of English. We taught her the words to greet the Boss each morning, something like "Hello Bill you bloody old bastard!" delivered with a friendly smile and a flick of the duster. She quickly learnt the other weather words like "P1sssing down" and seasonal variants. She lasted longer than the boss.
and "Brown, you're through"
and "say again all after Good Morning!"
I fear that this next is not unique, but believe it to be true. I might even have participated.
RAFG had a talking clock to coordinate hacks, The clock, on the phone, was not infallible, and a WAAF deputised in real time on occasion. And occasionally answered back, like a precursor of Alexa. Then again it might never have happened ..............................
Puerile, but fun at the time.
One more confession. S Met O at a certain fighter station in RAFG was not all popular [not unusual, but extreme]. We had a new cleaner girl, not German, but perhaps Turkish? Scarcely a word of English. We taught her the words to greet the Boss each morning, something like "Hello Bill you bloody old bastard!" delivered with a friendly smile and a flick of the duster. She quickly learnt the other weather words like "P1sssing down" and seasonal variants. She lasted longer than the boss.
Ah yes, phone jokers! At Heaven-in-Devon on 63 Sqn, the late Pete Stone was a master of such antics. His best was when he rang the Stn Cdr, a chap not known for a sense of humour, then rang off after a few rings before the phone could be answered. Then on another nearby phone he did the same thing to the Stn Cdr's wife. Both were now expecting the phone to ring again, so Stoney duly obliged, turning the handset round on one, so that it faced the earpiece of the other, then he listened in to the "What is it?" "I don't know - you rang me" "No I didn't" argument which got progressively more acrimonious! Finally he announced "Well, it must have been someone else then!" and quickly cleared the phones down, leaving the Stn Cdr and his wife to sort themselves out later.
Before dial-a-mate, those old manual exchanges of which TT spoke were in obscure locations such as 'Central' or 'Rothwell Haigh' and were operated by ancient old biddies who would route the call. But would suddenly screech "Are you working??" if you paused for thought during the call! One day on 35 Sqn, one of our number was trying to call somewhere on this archaic system when there was a 'click' and the line went quiet. "Bolleaux!", he muttered, "The f*****g old b***h has cut me off".... Whereupon there was an outraged howl of anger as one of the old dears remonstrated with "YOUNG MAN, THERE IS NO CALL TO USE LANGUAGE LIKE THAT!!"
Before dial-a-mate, those old manual exchanges of which TT spoke were in obscure locations such as 'Central' or 'Rothwell Haigh' and were operated by ancient old biddies who would route the call. But would suddenly screech "Are you working??" if you paused for thought during the call! One day on 35 Sqn, one of our number was trying to call somewhere on this archaic system when there was a 'click' and the line went quiet. "Bolleaux!", he muttered, "The f*****g old b***h has cut me off".... Whereupon there was an outraged howl of anger as one of the old dears remonstrated with "YOUNG MAN, THERE IS NO CALL TO USE LANGUAGE LIKE THAT!!"
Avoid imitations
Join Date: Nov 2000
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Some years ago I had to divert to refuel our company SK76 at Yeovilton, due to changing plans and bad weather. The company uniform was dark blue trousers, white shirt, dark blue tie and a dark blue formal jacket. I had to go to the ops building to pay. I immediately sensed that the atmosphere in there seemed quite tense and formal, quite unlike that of the RAF I was more used to (having served almost twenty years therein).
It wasn't until later I "twigged" that of course walking in wearing what was almost a replica RN uniform with wings and four gold rings on my sleeves must have put them on "Walt Alert". If I'd thought about it at the time should have broken the ice with a bit of banter...never mind, too late!
It wasn't until later I "twigged" that of course walking in wearing what was almost a replica RN uniform with wings and four gold rings on my sleeves must have put them on "Walt Alert". If I'd thought about it at the time should have broken the ice with a bit of banter...never mind, too late!
Avoid imitations
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Regarding Yeoviton, my late Father had a small cottage right on the fence and displaced only few dozen yards from the upwind threshold of the main runway.
As the Sea Harrier came aboard, he was concerned about the beasts transistioning very close to his and surrounding housing. He got through to the Captain and expressed his concerns. I am informed that the ensuing conversation went along thes lines.
"Rest assured Mr.Haraka,that as an RN senior officer with some 3000 hours experience on fast jets I can assure you there is no cause for concern"
" Well as an Ex RAF Senior Technician with now some 20 years industry experience of participation in aircraft accident investigations, I can assure you that there is,"
As the Sea Harrier came aboard, he was concerned about the beasts transistioning very close to his and surrounding housing. He got through to the Captain and expressed his concerns. I am informed that the ensuing conversation went along thes lines.
"Rest assured Mr.Haraka,that as an RN senior officer with some 3000 hours experience on fast jets I can assure you there is no cause for concern"
" Well as an Ex RAF Senior Technician with now some 20 years industry experience of participation in aircraft accident investigations, I can assure you that there is,"
Haraka
Was your late father’s message simply that aircraft can crash?
If he knew that why was he happy to live in such close proximity to an airfield? Especially one with Harriers!
BV
If he knew that why was he happy to live in such close proximity to an airfield? Especially one with Harriers!
BV
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Before dial-a-mate, those old manual exchanges of which TT spoke were in obscure locations such as 'Central' or 'Rothwell Haigh' and were operated by ancient old biddies who would route the call. But would suddenly screech "Are you working??" if you paused for thought during the call!
Join Date: Feb 2006
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Did you see Tipping Point the other night...I know..... nice chap answering questions said to one I should know this having lived in Germany for three years...I thought oh oh ex mil... he then got a US state question and again, oh i lived there for xyz years ( exchange )... and again a question on beetles, he says I should know this as 64 sqn had a beetle on the badge ( Ex Sqn )...pushed by the presenter he tells him he spent 30 odd years in the RAF, 20 years flying........... he then won a mystery prize.. a flight simulator experience... how I laughed and so did he.
When a baby Apprentice, parade uniform was black trousers and black jacket, white shirt and epaulettes and black tie. One Friday I was due to see an old school mate now at Uni and living in digs (an old farm) a couple of miles outside Oxford. Divisions ran on for some reason so, once wrapped up, I decided to high-tail it in rig to beat the Friday rush as best I could. I ditched the jacket and headed on my way - but retained tie on as, technically, I was still in rig.
Pitched up at the farm and had a good weekend - but didn't see much of the other "inmates". Drove back South on Sunday and arrived in the Block to a message (these being pre-mobile/internet days) to call my mate urgently. Wondered what I'd left behind that required an urgent call back but obliged. After my mate had cautiously exchanged a few pleasantries (How was the traffic? etc) he finally came to the real reason - "Look, I've had a request from the rest of the house-mates - that you don't turn up in uniform next time you visit if that's OK with you."
Seems, when they saw me stepping out my car, they assumed I was a uniformed copper in an unmarked car leading a Drugs Bust on the farm and I had cost them a small fortune as they rapidly flushed a stash of incriminating "materials" down the loos! On hearing this, me laughing didn't go down too well - "Look, NO uniform next time!!!! They are not happy bunnies - in fact I think we should give it a while before you next visit!". I never did go back ........ he moved out to a place in town the following year! Prolly just as well........
