Excellent quality, thanks !

Spent 3 years at Cranwell as a mechanic on the B.F.T.S (Basic Flying Training School) and it was not the worst place to start my RAF Career, the baby pilots were mostly very nice, not pretentious pricks like I had been warned they would be, nope, just basic down to earth guys trying to find their way in to their RAF career, they were very grateful if they missed out a step on startup, especially if it was checking the igniters were working, bit of a red face if they tried to startup and all they got was a wet fart (wet start) out the jet pipe, which didn’t please us groundcrew to much, it was us under the aircraft draining the collector tank, finding a trolley-acc (external power supply on wheels) and rushing to get a dry run done before they could actually get it done right AND still make their slot. Yup, I can honestly say that Cranwell wasn’t the worst posting I had in my 24 years but it was probably the most memorable and formative. 😀👍🇬🇧🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 P.S I was only 3 when this film was made, however, apart from the fact we had the Jet Provost TMk 5a not the Mk 3 (I think it’s a Mk3) shown here, everything is the same, even the refuelling Bowser and the other ground equipment was probably the ones I used. Wow.

Worked here from 1970 to 1977 proudest and best part of my working career!

@maxwellfan55

3 жыл бұрын

Ann, what were things you found best, and how if anything has changed over the years?

@annrobinson6643

3 жыл бұрын

@@maxwellfan55 The officers used to be gentlemen and set an example to younger officers always courteous and well mannered, were grateful for the work we did for them. As the years went on, well anybody that has worked for the forces (in a civilian capacity) knows the story....................

@maxwellfan55

3 жыл бұрын

@@annrobinson6643 Thank you, I'm not sure if you're implying courtesy and so-forth decreased as the RAF contracted, if so that's a shame. I came from a very strict air-force family (schools/married quarters) background from the late 1950's to the 70's, therefore curious. It was always run like a very "tight ship!". Applied to join aircrew in the mid 1970's but declined through eyesight. Thanks for replying.

@annrobinson6643

3 жыл бұрын

@@maxwellfan55 Yes sadly I am I carried on working for the Army (79 to 81) which was OK but then when husband posted in 80's to Germany and the "officers" I worked for left a lot to be desired......... I was brought up really strict too as well as being trained at RAF College Cranwell by Glen Rhodley (Chief Superintendant of Typists) she expected all the civilian girls to act ladylike, never swear or speak back to officers; we were trained to the highest standards and was expected to be turned out like air stewardesses although no uniform for us. I worked in all 3 typing pools as well as individual positions ie flying wing, medical centre, supply etc I really enjoyed working on the Prince of Wales medal parade having been selected to work with a Wing Commander, Flying Officer to put the parade etc all together.......... Brilliant experience.

@maxwellfan55

3 жыл бұрын

@@annrobinson6643 Thank you again for sharing your experiences with the RAF and the army (I too was in Germany - RAF Gutersloh). Of course I am dismayed to learn you experienced a decline in standards within the branches you worked. My father was a career serviceman who joined the RAF during WW2 and did his full term till retirement. One could say he was straight RAF through and through who enjoyed a very successful career reaching W.O. He was a Halton apprentice and skilled engineer who was offered a commission when attached to Bomber Command during the early 60's at Bassingbourn, but declined. I believe he would have felt out of place in their mess, mixing perhaps with ex-public schoolboys. He was more at home with sergeants and flight sergeants. Fortunately all through this time, including many postings abroad (incl. Aden) we lead a secure, very contented life and were taken care of impeccably, given the movements, disciplines and restrictions of this transient kind of life, i.e. always on the move and having constantly to adjust to new places, surroundings! I'm so happy to read of your proud and rewarding working life at Cranwell, it sounds fascinating. I had a few girl(friends) who trained at Pitmans, London as shorthand/typists/PA's during the 1970's, they came from very good backgrounds so I guess the training there was good.

The foreshadowing of drone tech was quite interesting.

3:32 Douglas Bader. One of the best of the best.

@allandavis8201

3 жыл бұрын

Sorry, I have to strongly disagree, Bader was nothing more than egotistical bully, the picture portrayed by historians isn’t accurate at all, and the rumour within the RAF is that he was “accidentally” shot down by his own Sqn.

@gregtaylor6146

2 жыл бұрын

@@allandavis8201 - Absolutely Allan, his batman, who got to know the man better than most was very much less than complementary about him in his memoirs.

@nathansaunders2576

Жыл бұрын

An inspiration to the physically disabled and an inspiration to those with a character the person of average intellect cannot fathom.

All are Slim and perfect people without Gym, what the hell happen with food today

@mikeandtriciajohnson7241

2 жыл бұрын

Not without gym, PT was part of the course, at least 3 hours a week physical training and like any British military establishment, even today, sports feature very strongly as it's all part of the team building principles

1:32 Man just sitting there cigarette in hand not giving a fuck

Grammar school another thing in the day. Turned out lots new officer cadets in all three services. 🙈

Whatever happened to us, now we couldn't defend yorkshire, very sad.....

@gregtaylor6146

2 жыл бұрын

We kept voting for Lib/Lab/Con, instead of a BRITISH political party which put Britain and its natural inhabitants first.

Jolly Good Show.

I hope the alumni retire well. Many American veterans end up homeless in their golden age.

@gregtaylor6146

2 жыл бұрын

I'm surprised at that, I thought that all US Forces pensions were extremely generous.

ha ha 50% from grammar schools....

@gregtaylor6146

2 жыл бұрын

.......... what's your point?

RAF Henlow was far better.

Fajny film