DM: RAF probe drunken Red Arrow airman
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: The Winchester
Posts: 6,322
Umm..well since we are into opinions here’s mine…over the years I’ve:
Shared crewrooms with a couple of individuals who went on to be in the reds.
For a time worked alongside them every day, and for example attended the same met brief, as duty dog sat in ATC visual during some of their work up.
Went to the funeral of one thoroughly thoroughly nice guy and long time friend who was killed during pre-season training with the team.
Then in the civvy world worked with (including doing a type conversion) alongside a couple of ex-reds.
In the basis of the above I’d say there was the odd loud/awkward/PITA individual but generally the 10% rule applied,I certainly wouldn’t subscribe to some of the stereotyping offered by one or two previous posters….
Shared crewrooms with a couple of individuals who went on to be in the reds.
For a time worked alongside them every day, and for example attended the same met brief, as duty dog sat in ATC visual during some of their work up.
Went to the funeral of one thoroughly thoroughly nice guy and long time friend who was killed during pre-season training with the team.
Then in the civvy world worked with (including doing a type conversion) alongside a couple of ex-reds.
In the basis of the above I’d say there was the odd loud/awkward/PITA individual but generally the 10% rule applied,I certainly wouldn’t subscribe to some of the stereotyping offered by one or two previous posters….
Join Date: Apr 2020
Location: Inverness
Posts: 40
Originally Posted by Finningley Boy
Given some of the previous posts I'm far more mortified at my poor grammer on this occasion!
FB
FB
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: pluto
Posts: 192
Having had the pleasure of a ride in the boot when I knew most of them, they were impressively tight and a thoroughly nice bunch. One former's view: most fast jet jockeys would expect to pass one of the easiest OCUs going: it's getting in that's the hard part - make of it what you will.
Avoid imitations
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Wandering the FIR and cyberspace often at highly unsociable times
Posts: 13,723
Originally Posted by blimey
Having had the pleasure of a ride in the boot when I knew most of them, they were impressively tight and a thoroughly nice bunch. One former's view: most fast jet jockeys would expect to pass one of the easiest OCUs going: it's getting in that's the hard part - make of it what you will.
Having been on the display circuit myself for a short time, I fully appreciate how much commitment the team put in. Also, it’s very difficult to keep a home relationship going when you’re seldom home.
Last edited by ShyTorque; 17th May 2022 at 17:25.
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Welwyn Garden City
Age: 61
Posts: 1,600
Originally Posted by Nil_Drift
I almost hesitate, FB, to question whether you may now also be mortified by your poor spelling?
FB
Join Date: Aug 2021
Location: Vet Land
Posts: 1
In days of yore, before cameras on phones becoming widespread, I always found Red Arrow pilots behaved identical to most other pilots across the military. Thoroughly pleasant decent folk on their own or in small groups. Less so in large groups. The Jekyll to Hyde transformation usually happened around three, though it could extend to four under the calming influence of single brevets. That said, weapons of social destruction such as FJ Navs, landaway crews, or recent Staff College graduates could degrade this ratio significantly. As could distance from home….
Join Date: Mar 2022
Location: England
Posts: 9
In the late 1980s I was based at Akrotiri. Like the rest of the station, we supported the RAFAT. As a thank you, the RAFAT offered us a number of backseat rides. These offers were unceremoniously turned down by the troops.
When asked by RAFAT why no one wanted a jolly with the ‘Reds’ the reply was that they did not want to fly in an aircraft that was maintained by the same people they were drinking with until the early hours that morning.
Oh, the joys of sunny dets!
When asked by RAFAT why no one wanted a jolly with the ‘Reds’ the reply was that they did not want to fly in an aircraft that was maintained by the same people they were drinking with until the early hours that morning.
Oh, the joys of sunny dets!
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Still on the beach (but this one's cold).
Posts: 151
Originally Posted by Corporal Clott
What on earth is a single brevet? A single certificate? A single licence? Or a single diploma?
Join Date: Apr 2020
Location: Inverness
Posts: 40
Originally Posted by Bellthorpe
Tell me again what NOTAM is ?
Perhaps the new acronym should be NOTAV?
Join Date: May 2000
Location: UK
Posts: 4,186
Originally Posted by Mach the Knife
“Single Brevet” also known as “Half Winged Halfwit”
Look up “un brevet de scouts” (a scout’s certificate), “un brevet de secouriste” (a first aid certificate), “un brevet de base” (a pilot’s licence), “un brevet en anglais” (an English certificate) or “un brevet d'invention” (an invention certificate (more commonly known as a patent)). Nowhere, apart from in some half-wit’s brain, does it mention badge - never has and never should do!
Last edited by Lima Juliet; 31st May 2022 at 22:11.
