The famous Sir Charles Kingsford Smith would rarely fly sober - brandy in the coffee in the thermos was the go. But using the thermos to transfer oil from a dead left engine to a live (overheating) right engine, mid-Pacific, made the coffee taste funny after that.

My mother paid 2 quid for a joyride with Charlie, said it was a hoot.

S/L Humphrey Gilbert, CO 65 Squadron was killed 2.5.42, crashing his Spitfire locally.
Interesting to note:
'They took off from Great Sampford, the Debden satellite, having consumed 6-8 bottles each of Benskins Colne Springs beer, according to the licensee of the pub. This info was not revealed until after the Court of Enquiry. The CO tried to borrow a Magister but his flight sergeant, realising that he was in no fit state to fly, told him it was unserviceable. The CO then took a Spitfire.'

Hermes Wardroom bar one evening in '82; the late great Fred halfway down a pint of CSB with his immersion suit arms tied round his waist, when the ships Exec came in and said "Hello Fred, just been flying?" "No, Sir" quoth Fred, "Just going!". With that he downed his pint, pulled his goon suit on and headed for the crewroom.

Swing the lamp!

Mog