The RAF is 95 years old today

Jimbuna · 04-02-13, 01:03 PM

I notice your still believing the 'official' reason

Oberon · 04-02-13, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimbuna

I notice your still believing the 'official' reason

Steady on old chap, let's not bring the Vulcan civil war to Subsim.

eddie · 04-02-13, 02:18 PM

The other day I was playing a WWII strategy game, and some of the British units, had the term Coy with the name of the unit. I didn't know what that mean't so I looked it up and found that it stands for Company. What I found kind of surprised me though, a British slang term for members of the RAF are called Crabs? Not sure I want to know where that came from,lol

Found the list here-
http://www.milweb.net/features/military_acronyms.php

Oberon · 04-02-13, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eddie

The other day I was playing a WWII strategy game, and some of the British units, had the term Coy with the name of the unit. I didn't know what that mean't so I looked it up and found that it stands for Company. What I found kind of surprised me though, a British slang term for members of the RAF are called Crabs? Not sure I want to know where that came from,lol

Found the list here-
http://www.milweb.net/features/military_acronyms.php

Look up 'Crab fat'

eddie · 04-02-13, 03:15 PM

Haven't found the meaning to Crab Fat, but found this for crabs-

"When asked a question, they shrug their shoulders and shuffle off sideways."

Jimbuna · 04-02-13, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oberon

Steady on old chap, let's not bring the Vulcan civil war to Subsim.

I'm sure I've no idea of your response

vienna · 04-02-13, 04:34 PM

Happy B'day to the RAF; doesn't look a day over 94...

<O>

Jimbuna · 04-02-13, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vienna

Happy B'day to the RAF; doesn't look a day over 94...

<O>

Rgr that

Herr-Berbunch · 04-03-13, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimbuna

I notice your still believing the 'official' reason

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimbuna

I'm sure I've no idea of your response

Nor me of yours Jim.

Official reason for what?

There are a couple of reasons for the Crab Fat name. In taildragging aircraft, of which the RAF spent its formative years in, it's difficult to see where you're going on the ground, so they spent a lot of time when taxiing going from side to side to be able to see where to go. That's one.

The other, just as beleivable but not as pleasant, is that the Fish Heads used to put it about in every port and obviously catch unsavioury diseases. They also used to catch crabs, of which the cure was to lather the affected area with a blue/grey ointment - coincidentally the same colour blue/grey as the RAF uniform. Hence Crab Fat.

The final reason, but I don't believe this one, is that the Navy and the Army have a limited number of sideways paces on the parade square before they turn and march proper. The RAF doesn't. But I've always had it in my head that the maximum sideways paces was six, and I've never wrong.

Beardmoresam · 04-03-13, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Herr-Berbunch

The final reason, but I don't believe this one, is that the Navy and the Army have a limited number of sideways paces on the parade square before they turn and march proper. The RAF doesn't. But I've always had it in my head that the maximum sideways paces was six, and I've never wrong.

I always thought that was the reason.
I couldn't see anything in AP818 that has anything about limits, but I'm not in the RAF or have I ever been so I may be very wrong.

Mork_417 · 04-04-13, 04:06 AM

Happy B'day RAF.

Herr-Berbunch · 04-04-13, 07:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beardmoresam

I always thought that was the reason.
I couldn't see anything in AP818 that has anything about limits, but I'm not in the RAF or have I ever been so I may be very wrong.

Section/page 1-2-87 from the Air Cadet AP I found online.

The next stage in foot drill is moving sideways a given number of paces. The reason this movement is taught is to enable an individual or body of personnel to move sideways a maximum number of five paces in a smart, uniform manner.

Beardmoresam · 04-05-13, 01:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Herr-Berbunch

Section/page 1-2-87 from the Air Cadet AP I found online.

The next stage in foot drill is moving sideways a given number of paces. The reason this movement is taught is to enable an individual or body of personnel to move sideways a maximum number of five paces in a smart, uniform manner.

If I remember right, the cadets for all British forces have more "toned down" drill.
I'll have another look though, so good find!

As for the Vulcan, absolutely love it. Saw her at Eastbourne Airshow.

Jimbuna · 04-04-13, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Herr-Berbunch

Nor me of yours Jim.

Official reason for what?

I was referring to the Vulcan and the reason this is more than likely her last year.

Not to dwell on...the reason I've been given is too easily traceable.

Herr-Berbunch · 04-04-13, 01:51 PM

I'm still in denial.

04-02-13, 01:03 PM	#1
Jimbuna Chief of the Boat Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 250 metres below the surface Posts: 190,615 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 13	I notice your still believing the 'official' reason __________________ Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something. Oh my God, not again!!

04-02-13, 04:34 PM	#7
vienna Navy Seal Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Anywhere but the here & now... Posts: 7,715 Downloads: 85 Uploads: 0	Happy B'day to the RAF; doesn't look a day over 94... <O> __________________ __________________________________________________ __

04-04-13, 04:06 AM	#11
Mork_417 Lieutenant Commander Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: DB-15 Posts: 851 Downloads: 263 Uploads: 0	Happy B'day RAF. __________________ Heading to AM49.(U-553)

04-04-13, 01:51 PM	#15
Herr-Berbunch Kaiser Bill's batman Join Date: May 2010 Location: AN72 Posts: 13,203 Downloads: 76 Uploads: 0	I'm still in denial. __________________

04-02-13, 02:18 PM	#3
eddie Ocean Warrior Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Minnesota Posts: 3,023 Downloads: 99 Uploads: 0	The other day I was playing a WWII strategy game, and some of the British units, had the term Coy with the name of the unit. I didn't know what that mean't so I looked it up and found that it stands for Company. What I found kind of surprised me though, a British slang term for members of the RAF are called Crabs? Not sure I want to know where that came from,lol Found the list here- http://www.milweb.net/features/military_acronyms.php

04-02-13, 03:15 PM	#5
eddie Ocean Warrior Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Minnesota Posts: 3,023 Downloads: 99 Uploads: 0	Haven't found the meaning to Crab Fat, but found this for crabs- "When asked a question, they shrug their shoulders and shuffle off sideways."