Read on Twitter
1) Maybe this is committing heresy, but I look back at the RAF in the late 80s and think “yes, it was a bit of a flying club”.
Due to cut backs, we were fortunate if we got a flight a week - unless of course if we were on exercise or the flagged Italian staff car arrived....
Due to cut backs, we were fortunate if we got a flight a week - unless of course if we were on exercise or the flagged Italian staff car arrived....
2) ...to announce the delightful Taceval! The joke of “saunter in at Monday lunchtime and leave work midday Friday” is probably closer to the truth than you think - probably because we couldn’t afford the “petrol”.
We still went into work though...
We still went into work though...
3) ... The inevitable met brief at 07:30 ish (sometimes earlier if someone was mad enough to fly early)
Days were filled with exciting activity. Usually consisted of drinking coffee – lots of coffee – which enabled us to fill the moments talking about.....
Days were filled with exciting activity. Usually consisted of drinking coffee – lots of coffee – which enabled us to fill the moments talking about.....
4) yes you guessed it – flying! Mostly gossip (boy, could aircrew gossip!) and the latest rumours of the day.
Other things were there to occupy the mind of course. If you were unlucky to walk past the boss’s office at the wrong moment,
Other things were there to occupy the mind of course. If you were unlucky to walk past the boss’s office at the wrong moment,
5) ...the rest of the day was taken up with the wad of paperwork thrust in your hands! Still, nothing more exciting than working out flying stats for the month!
Secondary duties could keep you busy. Avoid being the rugby club Secretary and you were on a winner.
Secondary duties could keep you busy. Avoid being the rugby club Secretary and you were on a winner.
6) I took on being ACLO from time to time. It was nice to meet up with air cadets who looked up at the jet in the HAS in awe! Yep, they are all in the HAS because they’re not bloody flying!
Some poor junior officer was given the role presenting aircraft recognition or....
Some poor junior officer was given the role presenting aircraft recognition or....
7) ... something along those lines. Usually a Thursday afternoon when enthusiasm was at its lowest – lots of mirth watching him round up a dozen crew members to sit in the overhead projector presentation of unrecognisable blobs! One poor sod....
8) ... had to present something on Russian tanks! The exciting difference between a T-51 and T-54 tank is a vent on the turret! I always remember thinking that would be useful to know at 500 knots! Thanks!
So when we did get to fly it was wonderful...
So when we did get to fly it was wonderful...
9) That is of course if the jet would work. The GR.1 could be a little temperamental – ending in a walk back to the crew room. The station did a little experiment in July 1988: to launch 48 aircraft in one go. 14 was impressive – I didn’t think they’d get above 8!
Still,
Still,
10) .. I do look back fondly. Dining in nights, summer balls, parties at the weekends and people there to help you if you needed it, and no real threat of doing anything remotely war like!
I don’t think anyone expected to go to war back then.
I don’t think anyone expected to go to war back then.
11) I honestly believe Operation Granby was a bit of a wake up call for those in the ivory tower – that maybe we should be doing things differently.
An interesting point that prior to Telic, we had lost 50 or so Tornados - 7 due to combat. The rest? Accidents unfortunately.
An interesting point that prior to Telic, we had lost 50 or so Tornados - 7 due to combat. The rest? Accidents unfortunately.
12) I escaped the operational role in the mid 90s and went – after the compulsory ground tours – into training. I did enjoy that. By the time students came to Valley they knew roughly what an aeroplane did so less attempts at trying to kill you. We got to fly every day!
13) another side effect was that I stopped feeling as if I was constantly trying to prove myself. I didn’t really realise I was until much later. Airline flying is different - the only thing that counts is being professional, and the ability to do the job....
14) ...No one cares if you are the best or not.
Still, a career in the RAF? Yes I was glad I did. After all, the Queen paid for my Pilots Licence!
Still, a career in the RAF? Yes I was glad I did. After all, the Queen paid for my Pilots Licence!
