Oh God SwitchMonkey - I knew I shouldn't have posted that. I'm never gonna live it down with me mates!!:O

SwitchMonkey
Is that you then on the bike in the Caption Competition ?

Yes, it's the final day of Crufts! Where the competitors are of much better breeding!

YS

Spherically challenged then Yellow Sun :p

First came across the term at Brize. Main bay area.
Heard it used on occasion at Linton (CFS).
Never considered why tho'

Wholigan - may I applaud you for a thoroughly convincing explanation and shame on anyone who doubts the veracity of it. Personally, I have only heard the term when enjoying the delights of CFS at Scampton. On a barely related theme - does anyone know the origin of the term 'beefer'? usually to describe a QHI (but not a QFI - as far as I know)

In all my years the airfield side of the hangars was "Out on the line". Thirty years after handing in the blue suit, even out here in Borneo, it still is. There is also the expression "Airside" that I've only ever heard as a civilian.
We did have a waterfront at Changi, but that was outside the yacht club bar. Seletar had a waterfront too, for launching flying boats or giving Belvederes enough room to climb away without bumping into anything.

Meanwhile the hairy-arse matelots called their not inconsiderable bit of waterfront "Dockside."

Then at Gan, there was more than enough water for everyone, but it was called "Oggin' " - even though they had a Marine Craft pier. Gannites were much given to Oggin' Troggin'. They'd have been much bemused to hear it described as a waterfront.

So, its just a namby-pamby training unit thing... :hmm:

Hey SwitchMonkey - did the guys ever get away to play cricket, or did they have to wait around specifically not flying their one trip a week?

:E

'Beefer' would have to derive from 'B for ... ', wouldn't it?

I thought Beefer derived from Basic Flying Instructor Rotary = BFIR

Or maybe it was B for ... aptitude :ok:

And there was I thinking a beefer was someone of a certain sexual persuasion. I really dont know how else to say that without being non-PC.

I believe the RAF call it water-front as the aircrew there are always dripping.

22/7
It certainly isn't because all the engineering chaps look like Marlon Brando