Well i'm a civvy, but i've built a team of volunteer engineers from several trades, and two of the team are Halton trained sooties, one is still current with the outfit at Cranwell.

Some might challenge the Halton training programmes and don't bemoan their demise, but one thing is for certain, those guys can fix virtually anything, and if it can't be fixed, they will and do, build a new part from raw materials. Literally.
Daunting bench work and a complete contempt for anything that's not perfect are something to stand and stare at in awe.

Perhaps we wont ever be faced with a situation in which raw engineering skills rather than 'fitting skills' are needed again, but from what i see on these pages, when the chips are down i know who i would want around.....

You know you have become a ...................................................

When you look at a recruting advert containing a picture of a helicopter cockpit.The left hand seat has a Wg Cdr and the right hand has a Sqn Ldr. Every picture tells a story.

That's very much what Messrs A V Roe and Co, then HSA, expected of airframe fitters in the '50s and 60's. When my dad was moved to instructing in the Apprentice Training School (Woodford) in '68, that's what they were still teaching.

...when there's f-all you can do about even a minor conflict brewing on your own continent.

...and 2* approval is required for train travel from High Wycombe to London...

Oh, come on Whenurhappy, that's fifth rate at least - this is a third rate thread ;)

...2nd Class, of course...


...Does that count as 3rd Rate?

I say old boy, it's Standard Class now !!!!!!!!!!!!! there is a code don't you know


O-D

Well, I wouldn't know. I never travel by train for work these days....sadly, it's the bus!

But, really, is that the best use of a 2*'s time to approve 3/6- tickets?

Mind, at HM Embassies & High Commissions, all 'entertainment' expenditure of GBP25 requires Deputy Head of Mission's approval.