View Full Version : RAF on TV?
Bluntend
02-12-2005, 13:55
In recent weeks the BBC has aired two well produced 'fly on the wall' documentaries following HMS Chatham (‘Shipmates’) and the Queen’s Cavalry (imaginatively named ‘The Queen’s Cavalry). Both series show the Navy and the Army to be both professional and able and are, generally speaking, non-sensationalist. Both documentaries have received good press with most of the individuals involved coming off in a positive light. The documentaries also highlighted the problems and issues faced by servicemen and women at all levels. If these two documentaries prove to be a success, the Army and RN will gain not only good PR but also improved public awareness and support for the men and women at the ‘front line’. Therefore, is it about time the RAF invites the media to look at the way we do business?
I think it is fare to say that many of the public do not understand how a RAF Station works. For example, the interaction of a Station and the numerous organisations and agencies that support it and its operations or the issues and challenges faced by the men and women who are stationed there. There certainly seems to be a feeling amongst many people that when the RAF go to war its still a case of 5* hotels thousands of miles from ‘the enemy’. What the public don’t see is an increasing commitment, the roles that airmen and women carry out in theatre, the training burden, manpower cuts, the number of non-combat operations (FBU cover, foot and mouth outbreaks, rescues from floods, blizzards etc) and the personal effect on the individuals involved – friends, family etc. This thread on PPRUNE covers public ignorance to defence related issues in quite a lot of depth:
http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?threadid=111156&perpage=20&pagenumber=1
There is evidence that some members of the Great British Public’ still believe that our food and accommodation are not only of an exceptionally high standard but also free, that we don’t pay tax, we all knock off at 12 on a Friday and get Wednesday afternoons off for sport, all our kit is modern and reliable and our pay is fantastic. Perhaps it is time for a documentary maker and the RAF to work together to set the record straight.
Now, I’m not suggesting that the BBC assign a camera crew to follow a bunch of aircrew from Cranwell to the front line. I think we’ve all grown tired of that view of the RAF. Instead why not look at every other aspect of service life – the airman arriving at Cosford, the WO retiring after 38 years service, an EngO or a CRO and his role in the local community to name a few. Why not look at all the ‘behind the scenes’ work we all do – the charity work, the additional and secondary duties, or even the impact that the loss of an aircraft and its crews has on the whole Station community. What about Remembrance Sunday for example? The potential is there to really demonstrate exactly how professional we are but also the enormity of the challenge we face. As long as its not made by the same team of muppets who have produced the RAF’s recruiting adverts over the last 3 to 4 years, it could really raise the profile of the Service and gain us the public support we rightly deserve.
There is evidence that some members of the Great British Public’ still believe that our food and accommodation are not only of an exceptionally high standard but also free, that we don’t pay tax, we all knock off at 12 on a Friday and get Wednesday afternoons off for sport, all our kit is modern and reliable and our pay is fantastic. Perhaps it is time for a documentary maker and the RAF to work together to set the record straight.
What do you mean “set the record straight” you don’t know you’re born!!!
And be careful what you wish for, those CAV types were made to look as crap as they are.
manwithaplan
02-12-2005, 16:01
I'm sure a programme about the RAF would be very interesting :
Episode 1 : Lyneham and its fleet of non flying Hercules
Episode 2: Brize Norton and the quite spectacular 216 static display squadron
Episode 3 : The big farewell , come and say goodbye as the guys that you have been watching for the last 2 weeks leave the airforce on redundancy
Episode 4 : 90 % of wrafs are kicked out because they are operationally unfit
Hmmmm maybe sticking to the Navy and Army is a better idea.
shoutingwind
02-12-2005, 16:09
i think thats a good idea, they should deffinatly come to lyneham. it'd be nice for people to see the truth and not the dream world they think we live in.
they should come with me to BAS on monday a "a day in the life of a overworked wraf, totally surround by guys once more going unto the desert...." catchy title huh?
The Helpful Stacker
02-12-2005, 16:25
"a day in the life of a overworked wraf, totally surround by guys once more going unto the desert...." catchy title huh?
'WRAF' isn't very PC. Its 'insert rank'(F) nowdays love. But don't you worry your pretty little head, a man will be along in a bit to correct your post for you.
;)
5od correcting her post, that avatars almost as horny as Opz'. Probably means she is as wide as she is tall with a wall eye (didn't she once work in the NAAFI). Also quite like the tag "shoutingwind" very spiritualy/native americany/at one with naturey type thingy, you know Gaia the earth mother, Druids you know? no? oh ok I'll get me coat............. (scuttles off into his hole)
There's more to the RAF than just Lyneham. Bring them to BAE's newest factory, just outside Swaffham, RAF Marham!
Bluntend
02-12-2005, 22:45
There's more to the RAF than just Lyneham...
Budgie, give it a couple of years and it won't even be that :(
Maybe a documentary would do us some good as well as Joe Public. There are plenty of misconceptions about what different trades do and the challenges each trade faces, for example, why do all stackers seem to think that when the techies complain about Lean, their complaints are unfounded? Answer, because most duvet fluffers know nothing about what techies do (and vise versa I might add). Likewise, in SHQ, aside from the Staish, who really knows what goes on in ATC (aside from spending all their time on e-goat bitching at each other)? I for one know little about what goes on in Handbrake House and reserve the right to abuse all Adminers until someone can convince me that they're actually worth their pay. Maybe a documentary could shed some light on the challenges faced my Man Serv's or the day to day workload that overwhelms the Admin Clerks on an all to regular basis - now there's a challenge for the BBC! I know its all a bit tree huggy but maybe if we actually understood a little about what we each do there'd be a little more co-operation between trades or at least a few dispelled myths.
Oh and SLRious, if you're worried about being shown in a bad light, best stay away from the cameras, eh? :D
A CLING NERD SHRON
02-12-2005, 23:10
Bluntend. If you are interested in finding out what other trades do why don't you go and visit the respective sections and ask them. A radical thought I know.
shoutingwind
03-12-2005, 22:00
"WRAF' isn't very PC. Its 'insert rank'(F) nowdays love. But don't you worry your pretty little head, a man will be along in a bit to correct your post for you." stacker i think you'll find that its 'rank (w)' and the only time i'll use that is if i've got a route (so i don't have to share a room)
but still, you guys are so sweet! i'm not as wide as i am tall (5'7" and size 12), but i am blonde and i don't work in the naffi. engines all the way man :)
shoutingwind is from High flight by john magee, and yeah it does have that whole spirtial thing going- thats why i use it. ;)
Inch High PI
04-12-2005, 15:28
but still, you guys are so sweet! i'm not as wide as i am tall (5'7" and size 12), but i am blonde and i don't work in the naffi. engines all the way man :)
Where have you been all my life??? ;)
Fancy going out sometime??
but still, you guys are so sweet! i'm not as wide as i am tall (5'7" and size 12), but i am blonde and i don't work in the naffi. engines all the way man :)
Where have you been all my life??? ;)
Fancy going out sometime??
Fight you for her, you bounder!
shoutingwind
04-12-2005, 19:15
wow! bestill my beating heart- i've never had guys fighting for me before! so how come you'd never notice me around the line then? probably coz i'm always working..... LOL
:cool: hows about a liney death duel? dinner for the winner
Bluntend
04-12-2005, 19:50
See, now there's compelling TV... :D
I'm in for this. Whats it going to be, 3 man enter and 1 man leaves. Big knife in the middle of the room and then the lights go out, wait until the door opens and the winner comes out.
Or are we going to do it liney style......... ;)
sausage2
04-12-2005, 22:30
There is only one way of doing this, and it has to be naked sumo
Billy Whizz
05-12-2005, 08:48
Gonna be a pretty busy room! But not a pretty sight! Is this thread gonna change it's title to "how to raise the popularity of WRAF's!" :confused:
Hah! naked Sumo, are you a panty waister or what. Get into the cage, no holds barred, big knives, chainsaws, broken bottles, ferrets, whatever (sorry scratch ferrets thats just me) I'm ready when you are, if my Mum says it's OK, and anyway my mates a real para and he can beat a bootie any day, he got his wings by doing P coy (oops sorry wrong thread there) Right my mates a liney and he drank a pint of someones puke (oh damn wrong thread again) Right! my mates a loadie and he gets so much money for makeing tea (bugger, I keep getting on the wrong thread, must stop posting I might turn into a moderator!)
Back on thread for a min,
It's been done before. There was a documentory series a few years ago about Lyneham and another about Waddo called "Airbase". Guess what, the Rodneys hi-jacked em both. It was hilarious in the section where I worked every time the film crew came within 200 meters the Officers started combing their hair and putting on makeup!
All the film crew got really was a load of charity stuff ( a naked OC 8 sqn for a calender) and an over dramatised cable engagement. They were salivating for a crash (media gits I hate em) but fortunately they didn't get one, and I would have made sure the radio they left in the section to alert them would have been accidently switched off. They wanted me to arrange a bollicking (false) for a newly arrived LACW and I refused, she would have been labelled for life, the Boss was really P***ed Off that I had blocked it.
As for Tom Mangold and Panorama in 1986 at Waddo, we bent over backwards to help them and guess what, they rammed the bat up side ways and told a load of porkies.
Media, trust me we don't need em.
Inch High PI
05-12-2005, 13:37
wow! bestill my beating heart- i've never had guys fighting for me before! so how come you'd never notice me around the line then? probably coz i'm always working..... LOL
:cool: hows about a liney death duel? dinner for the winner
Pick me and I will treat you to a sit down fish and chip meal!!! And then perhaps we can go back to yours for a coffee!????
So....Is a "Liney Death-Duel" (!) with or without marshalling bats and ear defenders?
Do you get to wave at each other across a Pan? or is it just the quickest run around a mighty torpedo taking the pins and bungs off? (Oh, Forgot the earth lead!)
Billy Whizz
05-12-2005, 14:02
So....Is a "Liney Death-Duel" (!) with or without marshalling bats and ear defenders?
Do you get to wave at each other across a Pan? or is it just the quickest run around a mighty torpedo taking the pins and bungs off? (Oh, Forgot the earth lead!)
If it's speedwalking i've got you all beat!!
Still hold the Lyneham speed walking record! J2 to Bay 25 faster than a Fairy could drive there!!!!!! :D
oldhamboy1967
05-12-2005, 14:31
Does anyone remember Squadron?
It went out in the late 80s, it only survived for one series I think and it was truly horrendous from what I remember. Unlike the humour of Soldier Soldier and the storylines of Red Cap there was no drama, poor scripts and a totally unrealistic depiction of life in the RAF. :rolleyes:
Or, in the very early eighties (or was it the very late seventies? - the mind goes you know)...
Fighter Pilot!
That ended in the hapless sucker actually being made a "Bomber" pilot on Buccaneers.
Still got my own hammers, but I don't have to use 'em much.
Don't remember "Fighter Pilot", but I was a singly in the late 70's early 80's and on the pi55 a lot. I do remember "Squadron", it was a right dogs dinner. A special fast alert Sqn made up of Hercs, Harriers and Helicopters (might have been some gunners as well) who flew all over the world to fight injustice dah dah daaaah!
As to you Inch High, how dare you try and tempt a laydee with Fish and Chips. Everyone of my generation knows it should be Flowers, preferably Red roses, fine wine's, Belgian chocolates and a quiet, intimate little bistro. Yes making love to a woman is like deploying a Rapier fire unit. Recce the area well, taking care that there are no surprises in the undegrowth. Get your equipment ready and lay it out, it works in all weathers so protection isn't required, unless the terrain has been well used by others. Position everything in such a way that you can load your missile quickly. Then lay back and wait for the coming explosion's before you let your rocket fly! Ahhhhhhhh I'm spent!
Hmm... of course the very best docu-drama depicting life in the RAF was
"Get Some In"
mid to late 70's, i think!
SirSaltyHelmet
05-12-2005, 18:28
Get some in...awesome
Classic lines
" Fag for the Corporal"
" My name is Corporal Marsh.. spelt B-A-S-T-A-R-D"
Bring it back!!
Inch High PI
06-12-2005, 13:18
There was an RAF-based comedy on BBC in the late 90's. I use the term comedy lightly as I remember it being pi$h.
I have trawled through google for it but can't find it. Seem to remember It revolved around a Wg Cdr, Flt Lt and an SAC (who insisted on wearing his rank slides upside down, STANDARDS!!!!)
Name of the show is really bugging me, must be a testament as to how $hite it was as even good ol' google can't help.
Stax!! Everyone knows the way to a womens heart is through her stomach!! Especially if you add a wee bit of Rohypnol!!! ;)
*Inch High PI does not condone the use of Rohypnol or any other well known brands*
There was an RAF-based comedy on BBC in the late 90's. I use the term comedy lightly as I remember it being pi$h.
I have trawled through google for it but can't find it. Seem to remember It revolved around a Wg Cdr, Flt Lt and an SAC (who insisted on wearing his rank slides upside down, STANDARDS!!!!)
Name of the show is really bugging me, must be a testament as to how $hite it was as even good ol' google can't help.
Stax!! Everyone knows the way to a womens heart is through her stomach!! Especially if you add a wee bit of Rohypnol!!! ;)
*Inch High PI does not condone the use of Rohypnol or any other well known brands*
Googled it, it was called "All along the Watchtower" it must have been pi5h as I really can't remember it and I had young kids in the early 90's so I often sat watching crap on TV through the night trying to get the bu66ers to sleep!
As to Rohypnol, in my day it was Pernod and Cider, legal and just as lethal!
beerengineer
06-12-2005, 14:06
What about "strike force" then? I was at a certain North Yorkshire station when they filmed it...... Rubbish, pure absolute rubbish!
oldhamboy1967
06-12-2005, 15:27
Ah yes - All along the Watchtower, set in a scopie bunker in scotland wasn't it?
OMG that was so s**t! It wasn't even good comedy, forget the realism!!! :eek:
If we go back to the RAF in WW2, how about Pathfinders? And I'm not showing my age, because I have it on video...
I'm just showing I'm a cabbage... :cool:
Don't remember "Fighter Pilot", but I was a singly in the late 70's early 80's and on the pi55 a lot. I do remember "Squadron", it was a right dogs dinner. A special fast alert Sqn made up of Hercs, Harriers and Helicopters (might have been some gunners as well) who flew all over the world to fight injustice dah dah daaaah!
I was working in ATC at lyneham when they film'd that rubbish -talk about chaos!
What about "strike force" then? I was at a certain North Yorkshire station when they filmed it...... Rubbish, pure absolute rubbish!
Forgot about that one! That had the FS that could do everything, remove seat pins, get a car parked, get some beer, sort out rooms in the officers mess, he was a god. No sign of QA, H&S, NVQ's, etc, lucky bugger (and he had pens in his sleeve pocket on the line!)
Did any one watch "Shipmates" last night. Poor old Devenport, they worked so hard and failed at the end. That 'Tash would get it though! However the reason for me asking is, did you spot the rotund Chief Tech who was supervising the Devenport team in the final, what an advert for the RAF! If anyone knows him he needs to be slabbed, now!
On to the subject at hand "RAF on TV", if they did a "Shipmates" type thing the only way I can see it working, is by filming at several different units. Maybe show an Orifice and an Erk going through recruit training, a Chopper Sqn doing disaster and rescue stuff. A Harrier Sqn OOA in Afghanistan and working with the Matelots and finally A Regt Field Sqn doing FP in Basra. Its the only way I can see to highlight the fact we do make a difference and play an important part in the military.
shoutingwind
07-12-2005, 11:36
stax- write in to the beeb and suggest it! its a good idea
none of you can take me to dinner unless you come and rescue me from the desert. :p and liney death duel with wands (as lightsabers) of course!
Norman the Storeman
07-12-2005, 12:03
Did any one watch "Shipmates" last night. Poor old Devenport, they worked so hard and failed at the end. That 'Tash would get it though!
Stax - Ha, she's nicer than your usual jack & danny you pick! :D
Billy Whizz
07-12-2005, 12:37
none of you can take me to dinner unless you come and rescue me from the desert. :p
Typical female - promises the earth then does a runner before coming up with the goods! :D Enjoy the sand!! :cool:
Inch High PI
07-12-2005, 13:01
I would come and rescue you from the desert, but I can't seem to get a flight from Brize. Been waiting at South Cerney all night!!!!
Stax - Ha, she's nicer than your usual jack & danny you pick! :D
Ha yeah, you got me there Norman, but I was young and dumb back then, now I'm just old and dumb, any young, female interest picks me up and helps me move the old bathchair along. Still shall we start a thread on your past exploits? Hmmmm?
Magnum Magnum PI
14-12-2005, 11:09
Strike Force!
What utter pap!
The RAF does need a decent TV show to get some credibility back!
Maybe even inspire the youth of today to join or at least support us!
But all we get are adverts with guys getting splinters and fly on the way documentaries. Yawn!
But there is a massive danger of it turning out cheesey and $hite!
http://www.bentinck.net/images/strike.gif
Strike Force Yorkshire TV 1995
But all we get are adverts with guys getting splinters and fly on the way documentaries. Yawn!
But there is a massive danger of it turning out cheesey and $hite!
http://www.bentinck.net/images/strike.gif
Strike Force Yorkshire TV 1995
Discovered recently that the advert with the splinter in the finger actually led to an increase in recruitment! However it increased the panty waisted, limp wristed, snot nosed, nappy wearing gits that we are now having to encourage to PVR! The other Ad with the Herc dropping supplies on a beleagured village was withdrawn as being too "scary". Does anyone else see something intrinsically wrong with this!
oldhamboy1967
15-12-2005, 11:43
...But With Wings On was my own personal fave! :rolleyes:
Bluntend
15-12-2005, 11:49
I thought the 'Their Country Needs You' campaign particularly good. Not only did it show off all the 'punchy' and 'exciting' sides to the RAF, but also an idea of the kind of missions we are increasingly involved in.
oldhamboy1967
15-12-2005, 11:57
If we go back to the original purpose of the thread something along the lines of Redcap is what's needed for a fictional programme. Apart from the actual programme the 10 second plugs for the Army in between scenes were excellent.
As for a docusoap I really enjoyed HMS Brilliant when that was on - "Good evening, First Hand speaking..."
Twonston Pickle
15-12-2005, 13:26
Has Soldier Soldier been mentioned already? Despite the poncy gits involved, it actually made the Amry seem a little more human and people could relate to the characters.
I suggest that the RAF do something similar: "Techie, Techie" or "Airman, Airwoman" might be good. Needless to say really but any docu-soap about the RAF should focus on all and not just the 2 wing master race.
SLRious beat me to it but "Get Some In" was really entertaining and unfortunately probably more accurate than later series about the RAF.
Problem is get a camera near an airbase and all the rodneys crawl out from underneath their rocks, I remember when the James Bond film was being made at Odiham all their fopery and self importance, quite sickening. Extras to play the marine grunts ? officers to a man.
The Waco Kid
19-12-2005, 23:07
Me thinks, bringing the Tv people to Lyneham would be the worst thing possible. It would show how incompetent our leaders are, also the world would know that we get money for old rope, lets keep our secrets safe. On the other hand it would prove that those guys on Contiunity Flight really do work and keep Lyneham afloat. He He.:D
Bushy Mills
20-12-2005, 05:27
10 or so years ago the BBC wanted to do a fly on the wall documentary. Unfortunately they wanted to follow a bunch of recruits through Phase 1 training and decided that Cranwell was the place to go. We (the newbies that were going to be going through at the time) were warned about it.
Not exactly sure what happened (you know what the rumour mill is like) but allegedly the Beeb pulled the pin because the RAF wanted editorial control. The Air Staff did not want a 'no holds barred' view of the service as had appeared in a similar one about the Navy earlier that year.
So instead the BBC went off to the Army (thankfully) and filmed some series about a bunch of Army Recruits. No idea what it was called and no idea how it was received.
That may explain why the Beeb have been reluctant in coming back to the Air Force.
Personally I think it was a blessing in disguise. I had already ensured that if they filmed it I would have one of those fuzzy effects as the last thing I wanted was to be recognised on TV.
Oh and Strike Force - Wasn't that the one on the Jag Squadron but they also had navigators - muppets??
So instead the BBC went off to the Army (thankfully) and filmed some series about a bunch of Army Recruits. No idea what it was called and no idea how it was received.
It was called"Gone for a soldier" (an old folk song title) narrated by Billy Bragg and concentrated on a Fusilier Regiment and a bunch of RLC recruits. It was a good series, in fact it ran to a 2nd series, and it showed the Warts and all aspects (guys failing BFT, Drugs tests etc) Also showed the lads and lasses on the pi55 which was an interesting concept!
If anyone is intersted, there is a book of the same name (not the book of the series) which tells how the army came to be (and ultimitely the RAF) over the years from its inception as individual private armies. Read the chapter on Sgts Messes, its very funny and very accuarte, even today!
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