Radschool Association Newsletter

Radschool Association Newsletter - Vol 8

28 Feb 2001

Page 9

John Harris continues his memories from 1967 when he and others were sent to the US to learn about the F111.

After Vegas, Roy Dash and I were off to Keesler Air Force base at Biloxi in Mississippi. Roy by air while I hitchhiked. I had some very exciting moments too numerous to describe. After being rolled by four or five border natives in a bar on the Mexican border I managed to hitch rides to New Orleans and survive on the four dollars of change that I had remaining. I arrived in New Orleans at the start of Mardi Gras, known as the biggest free party on earth, and which is really something else and I was able to share the only room available with two visitors from South Africa. Fortunately the banks were still open the day I arrived and I was able to convince the manager to cash a cheque for $100 drawn on the Washington DC Bank account that the RAAF had opened on my behalf. The Mardi Gras was just too exciting to leave so I stayed a few more days and then reported to Biloxi, eighty miles away, just two days AWOL. Luckily for me, I was able to con the young Lieutenant in charge of the foreign training office into believing that there had been other errors in training dates like the one in Clovis and that I didn't mind joining my original class with Roy and I would dedicate myself to catching up by working through lunch breaks etc. (Believe anything-the Yanks… … )

The New Orleans Mardi Gras in full flight.

This Biloxi Training was for Micro Modular repair and dealt mostly with soldering (the Yanks pronounced it soddering) using a jeweller's magnifying glass and different types of soldering irons and tiny chips on circuit boards. Many years later, I used this knowledge to train Xerox technicians, who worked for me, to properly repair circuit boards which saved our company thousands or dollars. I was surprised how little most technicians know about soldering. Biloxi had a significant number of night clubs and bars that were OFF LIMITS TO MILITARY with large signs posted above the doors. MP's were busy checking these clubs every night to arrest violators and to stop fights with civilians.

When we reported to Kelly AFB in San Antonio for depot overhaul experience, I heard one of the clerks mention to another that there was little accommodation left for foreign students. I saw the chance to live off base and enjoy the $27 a day allowance, but I had to convince Roy of the benefits. Roy was very cautious by nature and worried about finding a place to live and transportation. I promised to buy a car that weekend and that I would pay for any taxi fares needed to get to and from work. When I tossed in that I’d also do the shopping and the cooking he gave in and we set up house. Then I had to obtain the necessary chit stating that there was a shortage of military quarters from the training office. We were able to find an inexpensive flat near the base and I bought a Studebaker that turned out to be very reliable old bus for the 5 months that I had it. After 5 months of off-base allowance and my normal pay, which finally caught up with me in the 11th week, I had saved more than I had accumulated during my entire marriage.

This replica of 'The Alamo' was built not far from San Antonio for the 1950's John Wayne film. The area is now a popular tourist destination and is known as the 'Badlands'.

At Kelly AFB I joined a softball team as the only Anglo (white man) in the team. I had wanted to play baseball, but locals explained that if I had never played before I wouldn't get into a team and that I should start with softball. The only person in the team who spoke English to me was the captain/coach who worked near us at Kelly. I attended practice only once before playing my first game. Since I had come from contact sports like Rugby League and Union plus a bit of Aussie Rules, I made a quick decision in the heat of the game to flatten the short-stop who was standing in my path between bases. I had no sooner knocked him over than I was surrounded by 30 or 40 Mexicans screaming in Spanish. My captain came to my rescue and after a heated debate in Spanish I was discharged from the game without injury. Since the other team members had been so unfriendly to their new gringo (me) I was able to win several large bets on ten pin bowling a couple of weeks later. They still think that Australians learn new games quickly but I didn't tell them that I had played competitively in an Ipswich Bowling League for a couple of years.

Ron Johnston (UK) sent us the following, and swears it appeared in a Pommy newspaper…….

Socialism: You have two cows and give one to your neighbour.

Communism: You have two cows, the Gov’t takes both and sells you the milk.

Fascism: You have two cows, the Gov’t takes both and shoots you.

European Union: A Brussels directive doesn’t allow ownership of cows with udders not conforming to size.

New Labour (British): You have two cows, the Gov’t takes both, shoots one, milks the other and throws the milk away in accordance with EU directives.

Capitalism: You have two cows, you sell one and buy a bull.

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