i News: "'You’re Only Ever 15 minutes Away From Launching A Missile': What It Was Like To Be A Cold War Submariner"

[Joint_Force_Harrier]

Sorry I misread the title, I thought it said you get your Black Dolphins 15 minutes after arriving at Raleigh

 

[Taztiff]

Anyway, this is what happens when they use the Drill Firing Handle - it gives all the right noises but doesn't actually go to a target.

Bit like a giant SeaCat.

View attachment 54884

Nah, Seacat was never that manoeuvrable.

 

[Chris P]

Correct, it was nomex up until they brought cotton back in, before that it was man made fibres and because they were cheaper than cotton GS got them, all tickety boo until the Falklands.

Could never understand why the uniform was changed for man made fibres, it was always drummed into us that man made fibres would melt into your skin if there was a fire and therefore not good, and then pusser brings in man made stuff, I geuss after the Falklands the truth was forcebly rammed home, Bean Counters taking over??!!

 

[WreckerL]

Could never understand why the uniform was changed for man made fibres, it was always drummed into us that man made fibres would melt into your skin if there was a fire and therefore not good, and then pusser brings in man made stuff, I geuss after the Falklands the truth was forcebly rammed home, Bean Counters taking over??!!

I was told that the "melt on your skin" 8's were brought in for submariners only as it was quick drying, easy clean stuff and was so good (and cheap) that it was adopted fleet wide. Whether that's true or not I don't know but it has a ring of authenticity about it.

 

[fishhead]

I was told that the "melt on your skin" 8's were brought in for submariners only as it was quick drying, easy clean stuff and was so good (and cheap) that it was adopted fleet wide. Whether that's true or not I don't know but it has a ring of authenticity about it.

I can remember when I was issued with it in the early 70s and the reasons given at the time were those you have outlined. I think the Nuc. boats were the first to get it.

 

[Sumo]

Correct, it was nomex up until they brought cotton back in, before that it was man made fibres and because they were cheaper than cotton GS got them, all tickety boo until the Falklands.

Apparently the stuff racing car drivers use to wear?

 

[WreckerL]

Apparently the stuff racing car drivers use to wear?

So the story went.

 

[Sumo]

So the story went.

probably why they didn't fit