Bye Bye 72
 

Top CSE show this evening to celebrate the demise of No 72 Sqn Royal Air Force in the coming days. Many years of quality banter will go with the sqn, but be under no doubt, you will be missed:. .. .Sincerely hope that a Merlin awaits your badge (Airships please take note) as you can shove Eurofighter up your hoop.. .. .Love and kisses. .. .SHFNI Home of the Puma

Top party, people. An honour and a pleasure to have been there and to have worked with the people - aircrew, engineers and admin staff.. .. .PTT

An excellent piece on 72 and 'Walter' on BBC 1 this morning!. .. .Which other air forces fly the same ac for 33 years these days?

Last night was the best night Aldergrove has had for a long time, and well needed as the place has gone through some rough times recently. . .. .The whole camp seemed to be there except for the flying soldiers who organised a diner night - hope it was good boys, one day you might stop cutting off your nose to spite your face and actually join in some of the fun.. .. .72 - you will be sadly missed, a fine Sqn populated by fine men. I have it on good authority that you will return very soon. . .. .Bon voyage on your final sortie around the UK next week. .. .Gentlemen it has been an honour.

The end of a real era for the SH force. I hope to see the number back again soon. I remember the party at the 72nd aniversary - now that was good! By the sounds of it this one was definitly worth going to.

Did anyone rim Day's glass....would he have noticed?. .. .See ya boys..it was nice.

Fine style 72, and a cracking momento for the mess. My forehead and hand will certainly enjoy the soft padding.. .. .Y&B The biggest travesty is that your shower of sh-ite are staying and 72 are being mothballed. Imagine if the decision was to be made this week, think it might be the same?. .. .Sh dude as you know functions are booked a long way in advance. The Maple dinner is an annual function for 665 Sqn held in the 5 Regt WOs and Sgts Mess. It was decided to have it on that date long ago, before the 72 function details were released to the pongos. It is for Officers and SNCO of that Sqn and hardly dented the attendance of the party. As for the train, it is the property of 5 Regt Officers mess silver account and was not on display last night.

JIFFNI. .. .Your last paragraph sums up the AAC approach "anally retentive to the end" and as always taking life and "ones career" too seriously to boot !!!. .. .ENUFF SAID. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="biggrin.gif" />

Farewell 72 it has been an absolute pleasure working with you, drinking with you, flying with you and bantering with you. Safe flying wherever you all end up.. .. .Emerson C: I look forward to the continuing banter with your excellent Sqn over the next few months. I shall of course endeavour to prove you quite wrong over your doubts about my Corps.

I was once physically assaulted by a group of drunkards from 72 in Changi Village for no reason whatsoever. The villains were out East browning their knees on 'Bersatu Padu' and had a strange attitude towards us 'locals' A couple of friends from 2nd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment helped me sort them out, but I've had a sh*t on with 72 ever since. . .. .Good Riddance!!!. .. .**********************************. .Through difficulties to the cinema

Couldn't cope without the Aussies then, Blacksheep? Chill out, it was a long time ago (May - Jul 1970 for all those young people out there). Bersatu Padu was fun, 72 did a good job.

Well thank god 72 and the Wessex have gone. It was always frustrating working with them. The Puma carried more pax further and faster than Walter did. So why then did 72 do a better job than us TigerTigerRahRah mates? And why could they still beat us back to the bar (which they ruled)?. .. .72 it was a pleasure drinking and working with you all (apart from JJ the DJ) - you will be missed by us civvies outside the wire.. .. .Dobbo. .. .PS Did the BIG scotsman make it for the do?. . . . <small>[ 25 March 2002, 20:10: Message edited by: Dunhovrin ]</small>

Saw the ten-ship arrive at Death Banana HQ tonight, just as it was getting dark. Haven't seen a sunset like that in quite a while.. .Wonderful stuff reminiscent of those heady end-of-Empire days when Walter was shiny and new. . .Just for once will someone tell all the inevitable noise complainants to get lost?. . . . <small>[ 25 March 2002, 22:17: Message edited by: Talking Radalt ]</small>

HOG - You aren't one of the tigers that had their CR status taken away last friday are you? You certainly sound like one.. .. .As spec aircrew one doesn't have a career, one has a pastime and great fun it is too.. .. .Talking radalt - I agree, a great sight.

Saw the 10 ship..not bad..more formation work required by No's 3,6,7 and who was that stray <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="biggrin.gif" /> . .. .Banter aside..I ahve worked with the Swift on and off for nearly 30 years..one word..professionals!. .. .Hope the number is not tarnished by some over budget fixed wing thingy! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" />

Gulp, sob: near pile-up just north of Exeter on the M5 Northbound at 1730 yesterday (Monday) as I'm doing 90 and see the 10-ship (with whipper-in) coming the other way doing similar. God, what a coincidence! Couldn't have been more dramatic if it had been arranged. All kinds of memories had to be suppressed in the interests of road safety as I thought about the beast I'd flown in four Marks over 20 years and had some of my more exciting moments.. .. .I'm still upset, but maybe that's the Malt! God Bless, Gracious Lady. Thank's for the memories and for looking after me.

Jiffni. .. .I know you and I know you need help.. .. .PTT

PTT - Are you offering help? Do give me a call.

Dunhovrin...has the big scotsman got out of the nick yet?. .. .The banter between us (72 v 230) was fab. I've still got the piccies of me serving McSweat KittieKat at your inaugural dinner in NI. Did you eat some? I know Donitz (Douglas Bader) Dudman did!

Chaps, great to see you at Odiham and its yet another sad end to a great Sqn.