Pilots' Pals
Thread Starter
Pilots' Pals
I have a modest collection of Pilots’ Pals calendars from the late 1990s. Despite the fact that they will be seen in some quarters as very non-PC, I want them to go to a good home, perhaps in exchange for a few shillings to a service charity.
Advice on where to offer these would be most welcome.
Old Duffer
Advice on where to offer these would be most welcome.
Old Duffer
Top Answer
23rd May 2023, 16:59
I'm a proud dinosaur. They look great. Lots better than the trash appearing on telly wriggling a great inflated bum at the camera.
I have a modest collection of Pilots’ Pals calendars from the late 1990s. Despite the fact that they will be seen in some quarters as very non-PC, I want them to go to a good home, perhaps in exchange for a few shillings to a service charity.
Advice on where to offer these would be most welcome.
Old Duffer
Advice on where to offer these would be most welcome.
Old Duffer
I also have a selection of Pilots Pals calendars - all bought for me by my father as Christmas presents! All honest fun at the time, but not the sort of thing one owns up to now. I’m in the same boat as you, OD, they’re insulating the loft at the moment.
Do you mean these?
There was somewhat of a kerfuffle, years ago, when at a large annual trade
venue it came to light that some of the models were engaging in various physical activities in exchange for “Coin of the Realm”
There was somewhat of a kerfuffle, years ago, when at a large annual trade
venue it came to light that some of the models were engaging in various physical activities in exchange for “Coin of the Realm”
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If you possess a camera you can of course go along and shoot your own, sadly the next event is sold out, but here is a taster of what you can do.
https://www.timelineevents.org/produ...fighter-planes
or if aviation is just your thing..
https://www.timelineevents.org/section.php/5/1/aviation
https://www.timelineevents.org/secti.../re-enactments
https://www.timelineevents.org/produ...fighter-planes
or if aviation is just your thing..
https://www.timelineevents.org/section.php/5/1/aviation
https://www.timelineevents.org/secti.../re-enactments
At the very least - please scan them for posterity - In all sincerity.
Perhaps they are, rightly (?) ,not PC now but they are still a part of aviation history and social history and should be preserved.
Perhaps they are, rightly (?) ,not PC now but they are still a part of aviation history and social history and should be preserved.
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Perhaps they are, rightly (?) ,not PC now but they are still a part of aviation history and social history and should be preserved
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Thread Starter
Thank you for the suggestions re Pilots’ Pals and I think they will stay in the attic – a nice surprise when my executors flog the bricks and mortar!
On the cover of the 1995 edition was a BofB veteran called Ivor Cosby DFC, who was an Hon Member of the Biggin Hill mess and when Mrs OD and I were first married she had the MQ at 1 Grice Avenue and hence close to said mess. One year she was pinged to host Ivor at the BofB bash and there was a young ‘holding officer’, recently commissioned and who was a bit in awe of Ivor, whom he engaged in conversation most earnestly!
He asked Ivor if he had realised, all those years ago, that he was fighting for the free world, the future of democracy and several other worthy objectives, which I no longer remember. Ivor took him by the shoulder and said: “You don’t understand, sonny, our motives were simply that those of us who survived would ever after be invited to at least one above average cocktail party every summer”, at which point Ivor grabbed another G&T from a passing waiter and staggered off into the crowd!!!
Old Duffer
On the cover of the 1995 edition was a BofB veteran called Ivor Cosby DFC, who was an Hon Member of the Biggin Hill mess and when Mrs OD and I were first married she had the MQ at 1 Grice Avenue and hence close to said mess. One year she was pinged to host Ivor at the BofB bash and there was a young ‘holding officer’, recently commissioned and who was a bit in awe of Ivor, whom he engaged in conversation most earnestly!
He asked Ivor if he had realised, all those years ago, that he was fighting for the free world, the future of democracy and several other worthy objectives, which I no longer remember. Ivor took him by the shoulder and said: “You don’t understand, sonny, our motives were simply that those of us who survived would ever after be invited to at least one above average cocktail party every summer”, at which point Ivor grabbed another G&T from a passing waiter and staggered off into the crowd!!!
Old Duffer
See http://www.bigginhill-history.co.uk/...lsmainpage.htm
Warning - not for snowflakes or woke PITAs!
Warning - not for snowflakes or woke PITAs!
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Gentleman Aviator
Got an autographed one somewhere (all 12 signatures) - from when I was in the Ministry, so about 96-99.
Long story ...........
Long story ...........
Astonishing to think that some of these photos were taken on RAF bases with serving personnel in uniform & on duty. Very different times. And rightly (IMHO) no longer acceptable.
The imagery of Oct 1995 certainly raised some eyebrows not so very long ago.
The imagery of Oct 1995 certainly raised some eyebrows not so very long ago.
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Why all the fuss, shock and horror? They are good looking women, modelling in front of aircraft. They were also pleasant girls. Dear Lord, if it makes you feel better, think of the pictures as art.
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What did lady pilots have in the way of Pals?
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Thread Starter
John Nichol - Post 14, I can't believe that you have not seen the scruffs who inhabit the RAF stations these days - uniforms that are not uniform and don't fit properly anyway.
Apart from the pilot, who is now PNG after a very unpleasant brush with the law, the ladies and gents in Pilots' Pals were delightful additions to the aircraft and their apparel fairly modest (if a little suggestive) compared with many images widely available today.
Sadly, Joe Merchant was hounded out and may no longer be with us but it was all harmless - unless you are of a puritan disposition , which of course is your choice.
Old Duffer
Apart from the pilot, who is now PNG after a very unpleasant brush with the law, the ladies and gents in Pilots' Pals were delightful additions to the aircraft and their apparel fairly modest (if a little suggestive) compared with many images widely available today.
Sadly, Joe Merchant was hounded out and may no longer be with us but it was all harmless - unless you are of a puritan disposition , which of course is your choice.
Old Duffer
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