AIRCRAFT RECOGNITION CORRESPONDENCE.

ATC Observer, Volume 3, Issue 8, 2 March 1945, Page 18

AIRCRAFT RECOGNITION CORRESPONDENCE.

(P.O. Box 1322, Christchurch.) S.D. (Opawa, Christchurch): The aircraft on the back of the “Aeroplanes in Detail” is an early Manchester, not a .Lancaster. Both the early Manchester and the early Lancaster, had triple tail units. Letters not answered in this, the final issue, will be replied to by post. * *

The men of the air supply units who deliver goods to emancipated countries, have developed a sort of wry humour toward a many-sided task which calls for so much courage, endurance and precision. In the officers’ mess at a certain base somebody had written up those two lines from Tennyson’s prophetic vision in “Locksley Hall” a hundred years ago: Saw the heavens fill with commerce, argosies of magic sails, Pilots of the purple twilight, dropping down with costly bales.” Somebody had scribbled underneath “And how!”

Duty N.C.O. to reclining erk on piquet duty: “Why aren’t you marching up and down?” “Well, you see, I suddenly realised that I wasn’t getting anywhere,” replied that worthy. * * ❖

The O.C. of an A.T.C. Squadron was very worried over one untidy cadet. Finally he ordered the cadet out and marched him up and down the ranks of the whole Squadron. When the punishment was finally over the cadet turned to the 0.C., saluted, and in a loud clear voice that the whole Squadron could hear, said: “Bad show, the shoddiest Squadron I’ve ever inspected.” * * *

A.R.P. Notice appearing on Wing Notice Board: “If an incendiary bomb comes through the roof, don’t lose your head; put it in a bucket and cover it with sand.” * * * An R.N.Z.A.F. pilot had been forced to bail out, and was picked up in the English Channel. As they hauled him aboard, his rescuers noticed a white swastika on his helmet. “What’s the idea of the white swastika?” they said. The pilot looked at his helmet. “Hell, those blasted German seagulls.” * * , * The M.O. and a young P/O. were talking. P/O.: “Tell me, what is your favourite sport?” M. 0.: “Sleighing.” P/O.: “Ah, but I mean apart from business.” * * * A fussy cadet 1 was spending the week-end on station. When meal-

time came he complained about the stew with which he was served. “Don’t I get any choice of meals in the Air Force,” he growled. “Sure,” said the Duty N.C.O. “Take it or leave it.” * * * The crew of a light bomber had been forced to “ditch” and take to their dinghy. The crew was an Empire one consisting of the famed three, an Englishman, an Irishman and a Scotsman. After they had got safely away from the fast sinking ’plane the Irishman knelt down to pray; the Englishman removed his helmet to ease his head, and the Scotsman dived overboard thought there was going to be a collection. * * *