"Hey, I've got an idea. Why don't we land one of them on a boat?"
I mean there were a lot of British squadrons (or whatever they called them) in existence before 1918. The RFC was started in 1912 and fought most of WWI before becoming the RAF.As my RAF friend said to me: "We just HAD to birth the RAF on April Fool's Day. Couldn't do it a day before or later?"
Also... the 1st Aero Squadron (now the 1st Recon Squadron) had been in operation for over 5 years before the RAF.
The first American in the US military to shoot down an enemy aircraft was from 1st Aero.
The Brits claim they had the first flying squadrons... even before 1st Aero. However, the "aircraft" in those squadrons were balloons. Really? Ballons?? Balloons don't count.
Which the RN later seemed to regret when they sort of took their share back as the Fleet Air Arm.The RAF was formed combining the RFC and the RNAS.
Some decades later...."Hey, I've got an idea. Why don't we land one of them on a boat?"
"Well now you've gone bloody crazy, old chap."
I miss the China Fleet Club…what a hoot that RM Commando mess was epic.My crew where guests of the RN at the China Fleet Club once upon a time, They told us with a straight face that "Only you Yanks are crazy enough to allow Boot-Necks to fly an otherwise valuable aircraft"
I heard a great deal about the China Fleet Club. Was jazzed to visit. But when we were there it was closed. As I recall remodeling or something. Just stood outside utterly disappointed to have missed out on such a slice of history and tradition.I miss the China Fleet Club…what a hoot that RM Commando mess was epic.
Total bummer! Still, a port call to “old” Hong Kong was always a great trip.I heard a great deal about the China Fleet Club. Was jazzed to visit. But when we were there it was closed. As I recall remodeling or something. Just stood outside utterly disappointed to have missed out on such a slice of history and tradition.
I recall one night I pulled duty as a Shore Patrol Officer The briefing the crusty 'ol MA Chief gave was classic. After half scaring to hell all the duty SP guys he ended with, "Don't ever speak to the HK police. When they show up turn around and walk the other way. Do not look back. Forget everything your hear."Total bummer! Still, a port call to “old” Hong Kong was always a great trip.
The only interaction I had with the HK Police was at the airport and it was kind of awkward. The aircrew went through a seperate line for customs (It was an officers wife's club junket) Any way some Cathay Pacific customer service reps got us through customs and take us to an elevator, The doors finally open and there is a squad of HK Police standing there done up in flacks and toting HK's. We just kind of froze up staring at them for what seemed to be a good minute before the customer service girls introduced us. Turns out they where just going off duty.I recall one night I pulled duty as a Shore Patrol Officer The briefing the crusty 'ol MA Chief gave was classic. After half scaring to hell all the duty SP guys he ended with, "Don't ever speak to the HK police. When they show up turn around and walk the other way. Do not look back. Forget everything your hear."