"I was impressed with the way they got into that Stuka. They just went hop-hop, and in. There's something very European and fundamentally un-English about all that physical exercise; I can't see RAF pilots doing shot-putting, javelin-throwing, press-ups etc before going off into battle."
Well, many a RAf pilot was actually quite a sportsman. Bader for instance, was an athlete par excellence. So, still with his tin legs, he made Stuka life around the British coastline quite impossible, - with the help of many other pilots that wore their own legs, - of course.
I have read so many anecdotes of pilots, and in many cases sports are mentioned. Pilots on standby would (as anyone that knows what being 20 is all about!) not just sit and eat noodles. There would of course be the restriction of the time, outfit and location. So, anything between sitting and intensive Rugby. Does anyone recall a picture of RAF pilots playing Ping-Pong while on standby? Okay, - Ping-Pong, - if you know it, will make you sweat, - without a mae west
BTW, one of the most successful RAF fighter pilots was "Sailor" Malan, - well known to be a robust guy,- as so many others actually. Should I name many of the New-Zealand Pilots that were well known for their physique?
(As well as their scores).
Anyway, if your input was serious, do you seriously think that LW pilots were the only ones looking after themselves?
