TOP GUN : Inside the RAF (where did it go?)

[Ninthace]

I imagine the areas where the name is likely to be on a ship are pretty much at a uniform temperature, especially when compared to the flare from vents and funnels/exhausts.

[SATCOS WHIPPING BOY]

There are a few RN Officers on attachment to RAF Sqns. Quite a few end up "jumping ship" when they see how things are likely to pan out career-wise in the Navy compared to life in the RAF. The more astute of you will have noticed that the young RN officer was sporting an extra half gold-stripe on his tabs. (Congrats)

[Ninthace]

Nowt wrong with jumping ship. I jumped from submarines, a much bigger step.

[MightyGem]

Couldn't you do it with an IR camera,

Unfortunately not. Water droplets are usually smaller than 100 microns, which is small, but still much larger than the span of an infrared or visible-light wave, so neither infrared light nor visible light can pass easily through clouds.

[SATCOS WHIPPING BOY]

Originally Posted by Ninthace

Nowt wrong with jumping ship. I jumped from submarines, a much bigger step.

...and we all know of one pilot who attempted to join was almost forced to join the submariner branch with the aid of some errant red-gear.