Nosegunner, you may well look forward to a response, but you probably won't get one until you post something worthwhile and based on facts!:E

If hairy is offensive imagine how insulting the term "baldricks" could be:rolleyes: ....................it's now a banned phrase here in Wilts as apparently us baldrick's did take offence when referred to as such by our lords and masters :E

Can't see what the problem is myself:E

all spelling mistakes are "df" alcohol induced

I prefer 'Below Stairs'. It keeps us Hairy-Arsed Baldricks firmly in our place. In the doghouse along with Beagle's gun dogs.

In fact, for the last 3 years or so, 'Gun Dogs' would be a good description. Unloading Albert in pitch black while the O's nosh doughnuts upstairs on the flight deck. Drinking tea that we have made for you! :}

SPHL,

I would feel positively uncomfortable if it were any other way:E Know ones place is my motto:p

all spelling mistakes are "df" alcohol induced

This view of FJ pilots is not just limited to the other levels within the RAF - Civvies have a go at them as well.....

A lady from a town that used to be blessed with an RAF base shared this joke with me.

Q. What does a Tornado pilot use for contraception?

A. His personality.

I reckon from some of this posts that "Tornado" could be replaced by Fast Jet.

Perhaps pilots get their attitude from the fact that, generally, the best pilots on the various courses get the best postings. I'll let you decide what constitutes 'the best postings'.

I agree with BEagle about the Lightning/Vulcan No 2 battledress - we non-entitled lusted after them. Wasn't there a 'high altitude wear' angle to them?

By the way, at least one recent CAS was an ex-hairy, circa the 80s, but he kept the fact off his CV.

BEagle
I agree in some respects
I wore the 'hairy battledress' for my 1st 7 years and then I spent a glorious 3 year plus in FEAF in KD, where you were noticed as being well into your tour because you had 'hairy kneecaps' and hadn't been wearing "Scotchbright" uniform for a while. New arrivals quickly gained a tan, but they couldn't hide their smooth kneecaps, hence the line from the local Malcolm Club and rugby club song at the time;
"All you moonies please take note, it's a bloody long time before your boat"
And yes!, on my return to UK, I scrounged another No1 which I had converted to "Battledress" style by the stn tailor (allowed in those days) for about 15 quid, as did most other proud aviators - and Boy! didn't we look smart without itching.
Then came the 'V Bomber bus driver jacket' followed by the 'Flashers Mac' , 'the Postmans Shorty' and numerous 'woolly pully's'. lightweight trousers' and eventually CS95 and RN style pullovers etc. etc. Oh! I digress - What next? All green like the Canadians once were? Hairy thought!!!:confused:
By the way - I have an original 'Crombie Long' greatcoat for sale if anyone is interested - smooth and not "Hairy".

Interesting reading in this thread, makes me think that not a lot has changed since I was "in" (although now it sounds as if it's taken more seriously). In those old hoary days I was envious of zobbits because they had brown leather gloves whilst we only had the blue "knitted" type. On those early winter morning parades the wind really cut through our standard issue mits, always envied the leather types and their warm hands. :rolleyes:

Essentially though, it must be remembered that the RAF is the only branch of the forces that sends it's officers into harm's way (what a cute US phrase :hmm: ) instead of the ground blokes. Always thought this was an ace idea - best way to fight a war, sit at home and send in an officer on an air strike. So they can be as arrogant as they like as long as they don't bend my aircraft. :ok:

Hmm,

............and press the right buttons to do the damaging job they are being paid to do. Still, made a good story though!

Remind me, which one got a sore a*se?

isitd

:mad:

I always thought that the terms Zobbit, Rodney and Rupert were intended to be derogatory whereas "Hairy" has a rather nice ring to it.
Some of you out there are a bit too touchy.

E5 :)

Ah, but it is the term 'Ex-Hairy' that is causing fisticuffs at the hofficers mess.

It must be some sort or shaving pre-op prior to the spine removal. :}

Last time I was invited round the back of the Mess for a bit of 1 v 1.....it certainly wasn't fisticuffs!

But did you go:E

all spelling mistakes are "df" alcohol induced

SirPeterHardingsLoveChild
 

Is that how you acquired your nom de plume ?

Oh dear! I am beginning to think the original poster has a point.

I was an airman for nine years, and was selected , that is invited, to go through the commissioning process, something that had previously never entered my head. Throughout that time, I had met many officers, both aircrew and not, and with one notable exception [a Beverly Captain believe it or not! Oh how I laughed when he got bogged down], I gave and received mutual respect. [I can get on with anyone, really]. I had also bludged rides in everything I could because I loved flying, and I thank all of those who had the courage and lack of imagination to allow me control, and I use that word advisedly!

I was eventually interviewed by a Gp Capt with a very distinguished career, and he obviously thought there was a point to my being commissioned. So off I went to the charm school, a nine year airman, with a number of Officer Cadets learning to fly and become officers at the same time. Only one thought he was better [he didn't even come close!], and he was soon pointed in the right direction.

I had to work damn hard to continue up the ranks to Sqn Ldr. Staff courses and such were never my forte,and being suddenly given a task that I knew nothing about was a bit strange at first, but I had nothing but praise for all of those who helped, both aircrew and non-aircrew. I found I could often resolve problems that those who had never served as an airman found to be too hard, or outside their range of knowledge and experience.

I think, nay, I know, that I was a better all round officer than many. I had a better range of jokes aswell. I also never came across the 'chip on the shoulder' types mentioned above. In fact I had a great 25 years or so.:ok:

I would quite happily fly anywhere, anytime with any one of you driving.

Why is it always those that havent made it that bitch about those that have! If you constantly fail to impress through training, well..........

Face facts, FJ guys no matter how much you lot envy them, are great.

Status - good god yes

:cool:

I'd agree Fox 4. But in your case . . . . . . .

Not bad at golf though ;)

Knucklehead (slang) fighter pilot:

“Egotistical, self opinionated, elitist, prone to exaggeration, small penis, below average numeracy- needs analogue watch with Mickey Mouse hands to tell time, speaks quickly although with tendency towards being garrulous, socially ill at ease, depressive personality disorder; ambidextrous - both hands calloused from prolonged self abuse...”.

Flaps62...you didn't go on to Valley after 'Laarparts' did you ?

Thank God that bad apples are so few and far between, however they do tend to get promoted....;)

IIRC the term "zobbit" comes from an Arabic word for the foreman or boss of a work group.

In the pre-PC 60s/70s, "Hairy" was spoken in full as "Hairy-arsed", so nothing to do with the uniform's material . It was a term of respect to denote someone (of whatever rank, including Zobs where applicable) who had great experience, knowledge and maturity.

Why are Bona Mates so called?

well well chinese vic
sure its not chinese flu...as that also is very very serious and mostly irritating, mind you, you do go along way to back up the fact that blue jobs are devoid of all humour well not all of them only you... oh well never mind.
by the way this day an age is it really necessary to resort to such draconian measures as rolling up ones shirt for a touch of queensbury' finest? surely been called hairy is better than a slap in the chops as surely whomever it was you would stand up to would knock seven bells out of the sticks and stones very mature man stood in front of him or maybe laugh and walk on back to his 2o quid two-fers jug of red bull and vodka....maybe maybe not eh.
by the way don't take this to heart as I'm only being sarcastic and not very funny but you can vent some more anger if you like in my direction i like to help the boys in blue out every now and then some come on hairy have a laugh and little.