RockNet, the Headquarters of the RAF Regiment Network

Ginge,

You've a better bloody memory than me, now you mention it, there was a broken carry handle, can't remember who, but as you said he carried it off in style. I do remember that the one I'm on about just dropped his gat. I only enjoyed QCS for the female attention you got working away most weekends in the summer.

I've a few good photos of the 16 man squad in battle dress before leaving.

Gus

Gus:

Post up the pictures in the Rock's Rest if you like, (to preserve the vanity of the others in the pictures).

I remember the RT event so well because it was one of the best bollockings that ever had to be withdrawn when the carrying handle was produced that I have ever seen...

There's a thread or part of a thread somewhere here that discusses the whole incident.

this might be of use

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ROYAL-TOURNAMENT- ... 240%3A1318

Thanks but I've already been informed that this tape skips the opening of the 1983 RT... The very bit I want...

Doh!!

Help?

With reference to the tape of the 1983 Royal Tournament has anyone any idea if it is only the massed bands as usual or does it include QCS & 2 Sqn as well. It would save me a fortune by not going to the BBC. Ginge if you do have the BBC address in Scotland, can you let me know what is is as I've lost the detail.

Gus

Gus:

I'd be happy to split the cost with you and then we can share the copy from the Beeb. The address is at home... I tried the email route asking what the process was and the ignorant pricks don't seem to respond to said.

The carrying handle thing was at edinburgh in 1982. a right div lad as it goes. GH. consumate professional. I remember that the scottish band earmarked to accompany the display could not play to the cadence we needed and rehearsals were dire. the decision was made to march onto the esplanade accompanied and the music would cut as the about turn to come back down commenced. At that time the re would have naturally been a set of drill movements, one being the trail. I remember the clatter in the now completely silent arena and spent the rest of the display wondering who the fuck it was. Old GH was in tatters at the end and the flt lt who had (allegedly) summoned RMP's to see to it that his detention was imminent by the time the display was over was not to have his pound of flesh. he had retained the carrying handle throughout and as such can be completely absolved from blame. There was an announcement over the PA that the lad in question had smashed his rifle in the display due to ' sheer atack' and a round of applause ensued (as memory serves).
the 83 incident at Earls court was (in my opinion) possibly more driven by zeal than error and in that instant the drill movement 'ground arms from the recover' was born. I had seen some people practising letting go with both hands when coming back to the shoulder rather than retaining the small of the butt. whether that happened in this instance is anyones guess. I recall a brief incident shortly after march off.
I would like a dvd of that show too, it was a good tour as I recall. at £145 though they can sing for it. I am surprised that there isnt a firm knocking them out at a tenth of that along with all the airshow bumpf and massed bands stuff that can be got.

We're up to 3 people that are looking to get the DVD now... That cuts the cost a bit... If we can get to 5 or more then it becomes quite affordable... ;-)

Write to the QCS Adj and explain what you're after. As a matter of course, the Sqn ALWAYS got a tape of any shows that went out on TV. The excuse was that we needed them for training purposes but they were headed for archives.

Every so often, the best of these would be sent to the Air Historical Branch: so, somewhere, there SHOULD be a copy of that show.

If the standard of QCS Adj is up to par, he'll not have a scooby (remember, the tape will be older than he is!!) - but he should at least offer best guidance on how to track it down, as you are now a 'orrible civvy............and we can't be upsetting them now, can we?