The Nimrod - 2
This
was an infamous photo of 42Sqn Crew 3 ordered by MOD as a recruiting poster. When MOD saw it the CO was informed
that they had never seen such an ill assortment of old and new style flying suits, T shirts, normal shirts and
hairy chests. And what's more the crew should have formed a line. Frank B (lead dry) and I got left behind when
the photographer said 'go'. The CO interviewed the Captain Tony C and me and gave us a dressing down. As we turned
to leave I suddenly felt the urge to ask the CO for the photo which was on his desk. He nearly exploded then gave
it to me saying that he never wanted to see it again. Years later, I saw it as a poster in an RAF recruiting office.
42Sqn Crew 4 (my lot) were given the task
of selling the Nimrod to the Canadians. Brigadier St John flew with us and we gave him what he called a 'snow job'
(I wonder what he meant). Lead wet George D (5th from left) organised mess staff to serve up a proper 4 course
meal in the galley after the tactical session with proper plates and knives and forks, followed by proper coffee
served in dinky cups. Needless to say, the Canadians didn't buy the Nimrod as they had heard from someone (not
me) that it had lots of hydraulics problems.
The Nimrod Software Team at play (I think).
I don't like the gleam in OC Acoustics Flight's eyes. Kinloss Summer Ball 1985.
Strewth, the RAF News even spelt my name correctly. I had forgotten how simple the Mk1 tacnav position was
compared to the Mk2. The right hand 'student' was air instructor Pete B-B (or B² to his friends) and on the
left, Perry M.