Where the hell is Decimomanu

[swordfish fairey]

Whilst going through all my pictures this morning, I found these from 899's detachment to Sardinia October 1985...The 899 one was painted by ....ME.....But I can't remember who painted the Crab ones..

Last picture may cause offence....

[Shar2]

Ha ha! I remember seeing that when I went there in 87 with 899, had a fantastic time, oh and the Deci turtles were actually quite nice. I recognise quite a few of the names on your painting.

[Hawkkeeper]

Sardinia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decimomannu_Air_Base

went there once on a RAF Herc with work, only on the ground for about 2 hours, just enough time to rerole a herc from 30 to 64 seats on my own.

[xvtonker]

Went there on Armament Practice Camp with RAFG Phantoms (1975), Jags (80 & 81) & Tonka's (1990).

All of the visiting RAF squadrons put their own artwork on a wall near the original line office. This was then covered and became the gorund equipment storage aea which resulted in the wall being damaged.

There were rumours that the wall was to be dismantled and re-erected at the RAF museum, but I don't know if this ever happened.

XVTonker

[oggy4624]

I was there 3 times between 88 and 90 with 1F and I remember the wall.

There was a lot if artwork there by the end.

Hendon or cosford would be a great idea, but the det has been gone a long time, so I wouldn't be too hopeful.

Edited May 2, 2012 by oggy4624

[Selwyn]

Decimommanu!

Quote taken from RAFG Harrier force t shirt:

"Decimommanu is not the end of the world - but you can see it from there!"

Ahh.........many happy hours in Smokie Joe's bar across the road.............................!

I of course would NEVER let any alcoholic refreshment pass my lips when on detachment. ("I'm getting really good at this lying thing don't you think?")

Selwyn

Edited April 30, 2012 by Selwyn

[Dave Fleming]

Some nice pics of 899, FRADU and various RAF and NATO units in this book

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Deci-NATOs-Europea...e/dp/0850458862

[oggy4624]

One night, we heard gunshots from the flightline.

Two of the Italian guards had an argument and started shooting at each other.

And the time the lineys mooned the italian 'family' wedding, getting us all confined to base (AFI plates on the car)

This resulted in a go slow (working absolutely by the manuals), and being threatened with mutiny because the sortie rate dropped,Drigh Road , 80' style.

Ramming the italian air force fiat ducato (write off) with our land rover and scratching the paint on the bumper (great ad for Land Rover).

Getting your first Million in any currency!

Driving down the flightline with a camera concealed in a jacket taking piccies of italian fins and whistling coffins, knowing you were in it DEEP if you were caught and standing in the FAP shed with a 300mm lens doing the same (my first F16 aggressor shots)

Going to the USAF club for a burger and having to tell to the yanks where they were (they thought they were off the coast of Israel !!!!!!)

Shopping in a PX for the first time.

Going down to the beach in November in tee shirts while the locals were wearing overcoats.

All in two weeks, not even mentioning the massive can fight with the navy ( they used to operate their own fast jets, before stealing ours and losing them altogether) in the NAAFI, which stopped when Sky showed Life of Brian (UK premier).

Deci Red, and screams of 'It's purple and green ' in the morning

Toilet paper clogging the shower heads after it rained.

I still have my 'where the hell is Decimomannu?' sweatshirt.

You knew you were now in the real air force when you sat down for lunch on your own , and guys that you knew from 4 different units sat with you.

Miss it? absobloodylutely - and I was only 23!

Eventful - yes , just don't ask a 1 Sqn liney about Albacete !

Edited May 2, 2012 by oggy4624

[mhaselden]

Deci Red, and screams of 'It's purple and green ' in the morning

Now that brings back memories...and some memory gaps!!

[Paul J]

Love the Deci-Killer Hawks zap!!!