TOP GUN : Inside the RAF (where did it go?)
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You want to try 2 days in a Puma, Odiham to Copenhagen with life ex rotor blades requiring you land, shut down and check the bims every hour, we landed at places I had never heard of and haven't since.
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They are part of the head tracking system that enables some information to be projected onto the helmet visor. ie HUD presentation even if you are looking over your shoulder. Helmets without the bumps are just helmets!
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Airframes were are Riggers because WW1 aircraft used wire bracing and control rods which needed adjusting. The name might have came from the Royal Navy, as in setting up a ships rigging?
I was told Armourers are called Plumbers because the defensive guns on Lancaster and Halifax were water cooled. The gun turrets were hydraulically powered. Could be wrong though?
Airframes were are Riggers because WW1 aircraft used wire bracing and control rods which needed adjusting. The name might have came from the Royal Navy, as in setting up a ships rigging?
Airframes were are Riggers because WW1 aircraft used wire bracing and control rods which needed adjusting. The name might have came from the Royal Navy, as in setting up a ships rigging?
Scruffy
Probably no one cares these days.
But what a lot of scruffy Ground crew. I know things have changed since I left and beards are allowed. But if you have to have a beard, at least groom it. I think it shows complete lack of discipline, which is evident in the programme too.
BTW: We need more TYPHOONS and why is the F35 order on go slow?
But what a lot of scruffy Ground crew. I know things have changed since I left and beards are allowed. But if you have to have a beard, at least groom it. I think it shows complete lack of discipline, which is evident in the programme too.
BTW: We need more TYPHOONS and why is the F35 order on go slow?
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Do people not read the links posted, the answer is here reference Plumbers. Posted by Not a Boffin
https://rcaf.museum/history/airmen/t...-a-gun-plumber
https://rcaf.museum/history/airmen/t...-a-gun-plumber
Thought police antagonist
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Probably no one cares these days.
But what a lot of scruffy Ground crew. I know things have changed since I left and beards are allowed. But if you have to have a beard, at least groom it. I think it shows complete lack of discipline, which is evident in the programme too.
BTW: We need more TYPHOONS and why is the F35 order on go slow?
But what a lot of scruffy Ground crew. I know things have changed since I left and beards are allowed. But if you have to have a beard, at least groom it. I think it shows complete lack of discipline, which is evident in the programme too.
BTW: We need more TYPHOONS and why is the F35 order on go slow?
But, about the last bit.
Having watched both programmes, thus far I've not seen any aspect that could meet your "complete lack of discipline " comment...feel free to exemplify what you consider to be such.
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Not sure when your time was, but, clearly you never encountered M.U engineers whose dress code was (very) loosely associated with the rest of the RAF...apart from one Sgt who actually pressed his denims. You may also be amazed to learn, that, maintaining aircraft tends to get a bit messy and dirty, hence there's no reason to try and emulate the Guards and their ceremonial dress / parades.
But, about the last bit.
Having watched both programmes, thus far I've not seen any aspect that could meet your "complete lack of discipline " comment...feel free to exemplify what you consider to be such.
But, about the last bit.
Having watched both programmes, thus far I've not seen any aspect that could meet your "complete lack of discipline " comment...feel free to exemplify what you consider to be such.
My instant thought was bull****, keeping warm / cool and dry were more important than how your kit looked and what you wore, scarves, wooley hats and aquired bits and bobs were the norm, has he ever been out on a line?
Spend 12 hours crawling around an engine at night fixing it on an open apron in the middle of winter and a nice crease in your trousers and shiny shoes are the last thing you have on your mind, try shining a pair of shoes that have had engine oils, skydrol and a myriad of other fluids spilt on them. VC10 cabin compressor oil levels come to mind..
You often had parts of the RAF that were working against you, the storeman who wouldn't change my DMS boots that the soles were almost smooth on and slippy, they are dangerous when working on aircraft... You have safety boots for that comes the reply... so you expect me to change my boots out in the field everytime I need to work on a Puma top deck? It took my bosses interjection to get those changed.
Refusing to issue cold weather clothing, so we end up in Canada changing an engine out on an apron in mid winter wearing standard nylon cold weather kit.
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And when you try and tell the kids of today .......
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Aahh, presumably the green nylon stuff we were issued as Linies in the 70s. It was made from a fabric specially developed at Porton Down, tailored by the usual suspects and marketed as anti-goretex. Completely impermeable to sweat, yet still allowed the cold and rain to penetrate unhindered.
And when you try and tell the kids of today .......
And when you try and tell the kids of today .......
Probably no one cares these days.
But what a lot of scruffy Ground crew. I know things have changed since I left and beards are allowed. But if you have to have a beard, at least groom it. I think it shows complete lack of discipline, which is evident in the programme too.
BTW: We need more TYPHOONS and why is the F35 order on go slow?
But what a lot of scruffy Ground crew. I know things have changed since I left and beards are allowed. But if you have to have a beard, at least groom it. I think it shows complete lack of discipline, which is evident in the programme too.
BTW: We need more TYPHOONS and why is the F35 order on go slow?
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and trimming an aircraft because they used string doped to the trailing edge and trimmed to balance them...
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The plumbing was for waggling, not cooling. Some turrets hydraulics, some electric. Very few had manual waggle and shoot.