I was based on 801 Sqd working as a bomb head out crew was very unlucky with the guys we had. One unfortunate day the team was carrying out jettison and release checks on a SHAR. We were embarked on the Ark Royal. The PO in charge was calling from the cockpit and the AEM(WL) was on the ground pressing the buttons when the PO released each station. The AEM in question was some what of a calamity, he had diligently gone to all the stations and removed the cartridges from the pylons. It was unfortunate for the PO that he only did the port side and not the Starboard side.
I still remember walking through the hangar listing to the PO:
PO - “Port outboardâ€
AEM – “OKâ€
PO - “Port inboardâ€
AEM – “OKâ€
Then as I approached the aircraft from behind
PO - “Clear wingâ€
I was then unlucky enough to hear the bang as the 190 Gallon drop tank poured its contents onto the hangar floor. I was also unlucky enough to be in the vicinity and thus linked by association to the whole episode.
The AEM finished with a comment that haunts me to this day:
AEM – “Fl**k Slake aother cock upâ€
I still remember walking through the hangar listing to the PO:
PO - “Port outboardâ€
AEM – “OKâ€
PO - “Port inboardâ€
AEM – “OKâ€
Then as I approached the aircraft from behind
PO - “Clear wingâ€
I was then unlucky enough to hear the bang as the 190 Gallon drop tank poured its contents onto the hangar floor. I was also unlucky enough to be in the vicinity and thus linked by association to the whole episode.
The AEM finished with a comment that haunts me to this day:
AEM – “Fl**k Slake aother cock upâ€