Crewing on HS-748 RAAF/RAN

[wombatair]

Hi Ray,

Request please your advice re clothing worn by crew on HS-748, B707 , on VIP flights. (Won't discuss out of hours dress/undress code - similar to civies I assume .)

I recall tankers and transport with normal flying suit with cap.
I never had the chance to fly on a VIP flight, but have seen lots of pics/video of welcoming scenes in full uniform.

Perhaps we could extend the discussion to C-17, C-130, Airbus Tanker, and Caribou, (C-27) crewing?

Thanks,

Lindsay L

[davecana]

When I was at 32, and post flight tech flying, nothing special was done for VIP. Aircrew wore the usual flying suit, and if there was a techo travelling with them, they would be in CWD's. When the flight tech's were active, I can't remember if anything special was worn, as I wasn't one of them.

[tor lives]

G'day Lindsay,
Well......like the geek that I am, I have a preserved example of every uniform variation I have ever worn, both with the RAAF and Qantas, (these days though I wear a suite ).

RAAF 33SQN (Boeing 707) and 34SQN (BAC 111/HS-748/Falcon 20/Falcon 900) non-VIP operations flying uniform:







RAAF 33SQN (Boeing 707) and 34SQN (BAC 111/HS-748/Falcon 20/Falcon 900) VIP-operations flying uniform:





On all 33SQN and 34SQN VIP operations the vest was unique to the Cabin Crew....as seen below

while all other operating crew would wear their "blues"
Often 33SQN and 34SQN Cabin Crew would be attached to other units for VIP Ops, (including 32SQN, 37SQN, RAN FAA and DoT/CAA F-28 Flying Unit), and when this was the case full VIP uniform as above would be worn.
TOR

[Adam the Akrodude]

Not a geeky thing to do at all Ray. You are very rightly proud of your time in the RAAF and QANTAS (in pretty cool roles I might add) and I bet I can safety say from all of us - we're all proud to know ya!

That's a cool photo with PM PK. You of course are sporting the official Milspec Mk.1 steely eyed look!

[wombatair]

Thanks Ray, and Adam,

Proud of you mate. You must look smart in a suite.
Great service for an Ipswich Boy.
These questions are in relation to a double HS-748 build which I started last night. (Arrived yesterday, dust flying in the "shop" most of the afternoon, glue tonight).
Can I assume that soft peak caps were worn or just head set when the pilots were in their seat?

Lindsay

[tor lives]

Thanks Ray, and Adam,

Can I assume that soft peak caps were worn or just head set when the pilots were in their seat?

Lindsay

G'day again Lindsay,

Here is the contemporary head-dress of that period:







Forage cap or peak cap worn with blues, (individual choice).
Squadron cap only ever worn with flying suite on non-VIP Ops.
No head-dress worn on-board the aircraft with pilots wearing airline-style head-sets, (usually with one ear-piece turned back away from ear so that individual could hear cockpit conversation).
TOR

[hrtpaul]

You must look smart in a suite.

Lindsay

I wouldn't say smart Lindsay

[Tony P]

That's an "eye drops in you tea Mr Keating?" kind of look.

[tor lives]

More like "ya lucky I am letting you on my jet" look. That would have been a nice shot of the 707 had he not been in the way
TOR