Len Bowen - More
A very dapper young Pilot Officer Len Bowen at RAF Labuan in August 1965, about to board Beverley XD291 on my first up-country air drop (AD) with a 34 Sqn Bev. Needless to say, the bush jacket & slacks weren't quite so dapper after we'd dispatched 8 x 1 Ton Containers over Long Sumado later that morning! I quickly learnt that while long sleeves and long trousers were mandatory for up-country flying, my best bush jacket kit was better replaced for future ADs by JGs (jungle greens) and a good pair of gloves!
Well the innocence of youth didn't last long! Just nine month later, in May 1966, on an area familiarisation flight in RMAF Allouette III FM1090, tasked to Sepolot and Keningau to give the new Malaysian Sqn pilots experience of up-country Sabah, I was rather better dress and equipped for the task.
Still kept my SD Hat on, though. "One has to maintain some standards, don'tcher know!"
Still kept my SD Hat on, though. "One has to maintain some standards, don'tcher know!"