Oh you really should go that extra five miles to the factory when you get back - homing Penguins might become the new X'mas sales line.
I like that very much, I might just visit the factory to show them how far they have travelled!
Who knows they might replace homing pigeons!
Hi Roy
Some of the trade groups have joined together and some have completely disappeared, the latest that might go is the chefs as everything in the Mess is going civilian!
I am in what is left of trade group 1 after the massacre of the cut-backs. I trained as an airframe technician (rigger) but due to cut-backs six years ago I was cross-trained to become an engine technician (fitter) too. Most aircraft jobs have become dual trades, aircraft electricians have joined forces with avionic techs, even aircrews are often dual trade!
Back in the UK I work in an aircraft servicing unit at Marham where I conduct the final part of the servicing, the final rebuild, functional testing, and flight testing. In the Falklands I am experiencing 1st Line maintenance for the first time doing Before Flights (B/Fs), turn arounds, and After Flights (A/Fs). I have also spent four years in the bays doing structural repairs on panels, tailerons, rudders, fins and wings.
At my home base in the UK there is a R/C model aircraft club but its in a decline, there are several model boat clubs in the area primarily at Kings Lynn but it is getting the time off to go to the meetings or meet some of the members, because I work in a civilian organised environment where I am contracted to work for BAe for 37.5 hours a week!
In the Falklands we have replaced the Chuff numbers with 'Penguin boards', where your time to do is marked out on a suitable decorated board on the wall and a homemade penguin made from double bond is moved along the board each day. In the VASS office I am approaching the half way point or Ascension Island as our board shows the flight back home!
