uniform n.1 a prescribed identifying set of clothes....Collins English Dictionary

I suppose we in the RAF had a basic set of clothes that agreed with the above definition. I mean the 'hairy blue' and its more modern derivatives. But have you heard how this colour and material came to be precribed for us? I make no claim that this tale is gospel but I can't let it disappear from human ken.

The Russian revolutions took place in 1917. In the first one the Czar was deposed. The new government intended to continue Russia's fight against the Central Powers. The army had other ideas. The Bolsehevik revolution took place in October 1917(old calendar) As Lenin said, 'The army has decided the issue of war or peace with it's feet.'

Contracts for the supply of clothing had been placed by the Czar's regime with a mill in Britain for the supply of clothing for a cavalry regiment. So somebody was left with thousands of yards of a greyish-blue woollen material on their hands.

With the creation of the RAF on 1st April 1918 thoughts were directed to the uniform this new service would wear. Light sky blue was a front runner. Common sense prevailed and when the availability of the Czar's cavalry material become known............... The rest is history as they say.

My first hairy blue uniform was issued to me as a B/E at Cosford. It was different to that issued to my comrades. It didn't have eagles on the shoulders. It was of a finer weave and a slightly greyer colour. It may have been previously worn by a small Pole, at Halton. Anyway that was my working blue. My best blue was normal. On elevation to the peerage as a Halton Brat my Flight Commander took exception to my working blue and made me buy another. That took a large chunk out of my 17/6 per week. What an injustice!

Another legacy I brought from Cosford was my groundsheet for wearing if it rained. That's exactly what it was. A rectangular piece of waterproof material secured round the neck with string. You real apprentices had gas capes with a collar and buttons. The only advantage my primtive protection gave was that it was easier to fold for kit inspections. All our bits and pieces, including our Vests PT and Drawers Cellular, had the owner's service number tastefully emblazoned on them in 72 point black ink.

I learnt about variations on the 'uniform' that were much sought after by the streetwise apprentice; like a slashed SD. Many of the senior entry, the 73rd, sported these. The 'trog mac', worn by the senior entry as it slouched to and from the airfield, was also much admired. It was a wonderful day when we were issued with them. The fashion was to have one far too long so it almost reached down to the ground. Of course it was not the done thing to swing one's arms when wearing it. A menacing swaying motion was de rigeur, one that was intended to impress the rooks as we proceeded up Chesnut Parallel past the workshops.

The Venezuelean apprentices had the ultimate in SDs. Göring himself would have been envious of the lofty upswept fronts.

Sometime in 1957 a rumour went around that we would soon be issued with fantastic new uniforms. We would have hats like the Venezueleans with piping round the crown, the colour depending on trade. The piping would be repeated on the jacket lapels and cuffs. The swagger stick would be re-introduced. It would be difficult to tell us apart from officers. Wow! I could hardly wait! When the rather more prosaic beltless T63 arrived it was a real disappointment. Am I right in thinking it had anodised buttons?

On posting to RAF Nicosia in September 1958 we were issued with KD. A extra kitbag was provided to carry it; I still have mine. On arrival in Cyprus we soon saw that no-one liked to wear the shorts as they were issued. Amateur tailoring, or at least rolling them up, showed a better length of leg so that we could lose that white mooniness and quickly become bronzed heroes. When working on the Queens of the Sky, 74 Sqn's Hastings, we wore very short , most times very oily, working shorts, daps and not much else. We also learnt the meaning of gharry, tiffin, gunfire and chatti. Going downtown, security situation permitting, we wore No 6s and Sten guns( or were they Lancaster Mk 5s? Over to you plumbers for an answer). We also had KD rifles and KD greatcoats.( If you know what there were, please use the feedback facility to claim your prize of a picture of Mike Stanley; second prize is two pictures of Mike Stanley)

My next posting overseas was to RAF Selatar in 1966, first to the RAF Malaya Training Centre where local purchase mechanics were recruited and trained. (Not the RMAF!) There was a relaxed atmosphere to having your own KD made in Jalan Kayu as supplies of issue KD had dried up. The result of this benign attiude was that there was a whole rainbow of 'uniform' colours strutting around. Light brown, true khaki, pale yellow, pale pink (popular with radio trades), a wide variation of grey from light to Wehrmacht. One individual wore a subtle shade of light blue; I think the amah may have washed his kit together with his wife's blue knickers.

On remustering to ATech (Supertech) in 1967 in preparation for the arrival of Chinooks to replace the Belvederes of 66 Sqn, I was issued with JGs. Yep! Jungle Greens! And a Stirling SMG. Every thing was JG even the Drawers Celluar, Boots and Towels. There was a bit of a come down for the squadron because Harold Wilson cancelled the Chinooks, and the TSR2, and we were stuck with the Flying Longhouses. But it was the best time I ever had in the RAF. Happy Days!

The Army has its own approach to the meaning of uniform. I did an Ada course at the Royal Military College of Science at Shrivenham in 1986 and was amazed at the kalaidescope of colours in the Mess. The Londonderry Jumper, the woolly-pully, had arrived. There were light green ones, dark green ones, crimson ones, light blue, dark blue, navy blue;all shades of brown. There was grey, lovat, and of course the RAF blue one I was wearing. The range of jumper colours worn by the Army was matched by a dazzling range of colours of trousers and hats, including scarlet examples of both. The only real uniform Army officers wear is they wear at the week-end. It consists of a grimy Barbour jacket, brown corduroy trousers, green Hunter wellies, a rattin' hat and a black Labrador.

I shouldn't be too hard on the Army. In July 1985 I took a party of marching enthusiasts to emulate the forced march of Wellington's infantry Light Brigade across central Spain in 1809. The Army lent us tropical cabbage suits and floppy hats. These were much admired by our marching companions, from the Grupo Operacionces Especiales Numero Uno of the Spanish Army. At the end of the march the inevitable happened. Floppy hats were swopped for Spanish berets. On return to the UK I told the Army QM about this. He said 'Don't worry. I'll write them off'. Compare that generous approach to the RAF's pursuit of me for two years after my retirement in 1987 in their demand that I return a pair of denims I had been issued with in 1969. Probably there's still a F664B somewhere with my name on it.!