The RAF in the Falklands turned up at the office looking for some piston rings,
can't remember what the wagon type was. Because they were for a fire tender
they were priority 1, we were all busy so the REME stores chaser, a Sgt, volunteered
to to check the part numbers on the microfiche to make sure they were correct
before we sent the demand by signal to UK. I think it must have been an Immediate
signal. The numbers checked out ok so the OC signed the said signal and this
was duly dispatched to UK for action. Next day, after a specially laid on Hercules
had been laid on from Ascension, probably with extra flights for refueling too,
we got a phone call from the RAF saying that our Red Stars had turned up.
Cpl Storeman duly returned saying that he had "collected the ladders....."
"Um, ladders? What ladders?..."
"The Priority 1 ladders that we demanded yesterday by signal"
Much brow wrinkling and shuffling of paperwork.
"No ladders, give us a look at that part number"
After that the stores chaser wasn't allowed near the fiche again.
Give the RAF their due they got the ladders to fit in the engine.