"Main Point" (Archive 19).Main Point Newsletter Archived 3rd March 2009.
Just a Few Smart Alick Tech Log Entries.
Taken from "The Funny Side of Flying" Section: Here are some tech log entries by pilots and the subsequent smart arse replies from their maintenance crews. Maybe there's one you havn't heard before (many times)?
Do you have any of your own funny stories and would like to share a laugh with us?
NOTE: (P) represents the Pilot's entry
(E) is the Engineer's entry
(P) Left inside main tyre almost needs replacement.
(E) Almost replaced left inside main tyre.
(P) No. 2 propeller seeping prop fluid.
(E) No. 2 propeller seepage normal.
(P) No. 1, No. 3, and No. 4 propellers lack normal seepage.
(P) Something loose in cockpit.
(E) Something tightened in cockpit.
(P) Test flight OK, except autoland very rough.
(E) Autoland not installed on this aircraft.
(P) DME volume unbelievably loud.
(E) Volume set to more believable level.
(P) Evidence of leak on right main landing gear.
(E) Evidence removed.
(P) Dead bugs on windshield.
(E) Live bugs on order.
(P) Autopilot in altitude hold mode produces a 200 fpm descent.
(E) Cannot reproduce problems on ground.
(P) Friction locks cause throttle levers to stick.
(E) That's what they're there for.
(P) Number three engine missing.
(E) Engine found on right wing after brief search.
(P) IFF inoperative.
(E) IFF always inoperative in OFF mode.
(P) Aircraft handles funny.
(E) Aircraft warned to straighten up, "fly right," and be serious.
(P) Target Radar hums.
(E) Reprogrammed Target Radar with the words.
(P) Autopilot tends to drop a wing when fuel imbalance reaches 500lbs.
(E) Flight manual limits maximum fuel imbalance to 300lbs.
(P) No. 2 ADF needle runs wild.
(E) Caught and tamed No. 2 ADF needle.
(P) Pilot's clock inop.
(E) Wound pilots clock.
(P) - Suspected crack in windscreen.
(E) - Suspect you're right.
(P) - Mouse in cockpit.
(E) - Cat installed.
(P) - Ghostly creaking from airstairs
(E) - Airstairs lubricated and exorcised.
Now it's your turn to cheer us up!
Slim Hodson: fame at Last!
A first for Slim as described in a recent email from himself:
"When we fell in for the 74 parade our leader Tony Merry got the sizing back to front , hence I was on the end instead of the middle of the flight.
We turned left to march on, so I was right marker for the first time in my life.
"Many photos were taken of the flight but not one of me. however I think Jenny, Kit's partner, took a photo of Pete Chappelle getting his document and I am covered in the background. By the wizard of paint, John Cowley has brought me back in the picture as proof of my fame.
"Hope that makes sense?
Regards.
slim."
Tony Merry Replies!
"The comment by Slim Hodson about being right marker on our Golden Graduation parade caught my eye. I had hit on Bas McLennan, our shortest member(??) as left marker when calling "Shortest on the left fall in", It was therefore by chance that Slim who is perhaps the second shortest should end up on the right.
"Calling for shortest rather than shortest on the left was a deliberate ploy!
Tony."
[Editor] Did anyone else not notice?
A Plea from John Cowley.
John sent me an email with a number of queries about missing 74th Entry personnel.
He suggests we ask our members for any information regarding those names i.e. Paddy McCann, Salvadorie, Paddy Prince, Bill Hole, Gareth Rees, Ralph Wallis, Mike Nicholson, Ted Clasby and Jim Scovell.
"I assume that they all took discharge of some sort.
"I thinks Salvadorie did, but not sure about the others and it worries me because I knew some of them quite well."
Any Early Photographs of the 74th Entry Please?
John asks further for information and photographs of the early days of the Entry.
"Could we also ask for more of those 1953 1 Wing room photo's, with as many names as possible, because I see them as the original members, the best starting point we can get. I'm particularly interested in the Engines lads and Block 11, rooms 1 and 2 (room 3 still requires names, and room 4 is completed)."
Feedback from the Javelin Section.
We often get email from visitors to the 74th Website. This one concerns information to add to the Javelin pages in the Aircraft Section. It was kindly contributed by Alan Mudge. 86th. Entry. Armourer with 31 years service.
"Served on the Javelin Instrument Rating Flight and 228 OCU at Leuchars, followed by 64 Sqn. (twice) and 60 Sqn. at RAF Tengah, all between July 1964 and July 1967. As a professional linie, well remember the engine bay fires on start-up, the sheer size of the thing when it was bearing down on you during marshalling, especially on the OCU with a novice pilot at the controls.
Definitely an armourers aircraft.
"OCs - 228 OCU. Sqn. Ldr. George Henry Beaton, who claimed the silver Jav. as his own with GHB on the tailplane.
64 Sqn. Wg. Cdr. Peter Smith followed by Wg. Cdr. Basil de Jongh.
60 Sqn. Wg. Cdr. Dusty Miller.
"Boss Armourer - 228 OCU. C/T Ted Plusa.
64 Sqn. C/T Bill Boyd.
"Line Chiefie both on the OCU and later 64 Sqn. C/T "Bowser" Brittain. A ferocious dumpling of a man, but with a heart of gold.
I had a groundcrew air experience flight in the old Flying Flat Iron while on 64 Sqn. No. 4 in a four-ship formation bimbling around Singapore and South Malaya. Wonderful. Did three tours in FEAF - even more wonderful.
(Alan Mudge. 86th. Entry. Armourer. 31 years service.)
Now living happily with the Wee Haggis in wrinkly retirement in Norfolk. Enjoying fine wine, real ale and some of the best pub grub on the planet.
Any Comments?
[Editor] Please send me any replies, news items or stories that may be of interest to members of the 74th Entry Association or any other visitors to the 74th Entry Website.