Hazardous Ops (1989)

With the sad passing of Windsor Davies, I thought it appropriate to share one of his lesser-known works. This RAF training film has Windsor, in full Army Sergeant-Major persona, telling his Air Force counterparts how (not) to behave in an around a Hardened Aircraft Shelter, or HAS - concrete successors to hangars, ostensibly bomb-, bullet- and rocket-proof, but equally vulnerable and dangerous to the fallible bags of mostly water that work in and around them. Oh, and nowadays we also have things like guided weapons that would find the holes in these things and make bigger holes.
The film points out very serious hazards in a humorous way, but isn't afraid to turn on the gravitas when necessary, and Windsor never breaks stride.
Also interesting (and maybe a little poignant) to note this was made almost exactly 30 years ago.

[@nicholasdickens2801]

Rest in Peace Windsor Davies. A true gentleman.

[@mikeainsworth4504]

Within 2 years of Windsor Davies making this film the Soviet empire had collapsed and the Cold War was won. Coincidence? I think not!

[@lloyd9710]

Mike Ainsworth he went over and briefed em up

[@Sierra-87]

I'm sorry to disappoint you - but, it wasn't "won". It just ended.. The U.S. and Russia has practically been at it, in a more subtle way, ever since the collapse of the USSR :( :)

[@TezKingboom]

@@Sierra-87hey been at it the same way they was at it back then so nothings changed

[@michelguevara151]

They saw this training film and took fright 😎

[@Thelastminstrel]

@@Sierra-87 No, it was WON by the West largely due to - get out your smelling salts lefties - Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher, who pushed the USSR until it broke under the dead weight of socialist fantasy. Tom Clancy dedicated his book EXECUTIVE ORDERS to; "Ronald Wilson Reagan - the man who won the war."

[@helbent4]

This guy is mesmerising. I am not British nor was I in the military, yet because of him I stayed to watch the entire video because I too wanted to prevent accidents in any Hardened Aircraft Shelter I might find myself manning.

[@ste887]

surely you mean 'prevent them there haccidents occurring like a good lovely boy'

[@Masada1911]

You should check out it aint half hot mum. He plays this character on that show.

[@Strontyum]

Haircraft. Your spelling is hatrocious, lovely boy!

[@ashleystyles6888]

Haha

[@CanadaMatt]

@@Strontyum Hairyplane, if you please.

[@newuk26]

Amazing. An RAF Health and Safety from 1989 is more funny than any modern comedy!

[@mackenzie77777]

About a thousand times more funny.

[@sebbers]

My warrant officer showed this to me when we were doing simulator work up at Lossiemouth for air cadets, we were just watching it and chilling, I'm fairly new to air cadets, joined in September. That warrant officer took me everywhere, air experience, shooting. Everything. Sadly he passed away last week unexpectedly. The man was a true legend, but only in his mid 50's. RIP

[@jamesnicholson3658]

I lost my Marine Cadet Sgt. a few months ago, my deepest commiserations.

[@NiSiochainGanSaoirse]

the man is a legend. my lads a Signaller with 21sigs in York, and he loves Windsor Davies videos!

[@afrocentricalbion]

Odd to think I sat here watching an RAF health and safety film to the end and I have no armed forces experience/background. It's credit to Windsor Davies that I actually enjoyed every minute of it.

[@TheFatNumpty]

This was a genius idea putting Windsor in a training film, so often these are boring and bland experiences leading people to switch off and not learn the intended subject. This however was the opposite, easily entertaining enough to keep everyone engaged.

[@logos5487]

Did you ever have the 'fun' of doctor FOD?

[@mariaefelices6543]

I serviced his rover car in the 80s what a kind gentleman he was ,class human , talked to him mainly about the car ,but great ,made my day lovely boy !! R.I.P WINDSOR XXXXXXXXX💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜😞

[@garylawless3608]

R.I.P. Windsor Davies. Hope you are conducting parade with some ‘lovely boys’ wherever you are.

[@MrBryndog]

I was stationed at Marham from 90-93 just after this film was made, we used the same HAS on one exercise in particular. We were bored out of our minds doing the hurry up and wait thing, so one of the lads climbed into the cockpit of the training Tornado and began doing skits about the rodneys.. One of the other lads turned on the extractor fans, that wound up slowly at first and building quickly, sounding a bit like the engines winding up. He literally leapt out of the cockpit in a oner and landed with his hands in his pockets doing the wasn't me walk... We fell about the place and it made something proper mundane and tiresome a bit more entertaining. Nice to see Windsor doing his thing and reminding me of funny times.

[@Arborist5851]

The only man allowed to wear headdress on an active Airfield.

[@phant0]

I ain't the one who will tell him to take it off. Are you?

[@ianwatkins9602]

Windsor could wear what he wants🤣🤣🤣

[@Marie579]

From 1980 to 1996 I served as a airframe tech and I have never seen this, absolutely brilliant. I’d forgotten memories of Tacivals thank god!

[@ConalOBroin]

Even in a training film, he's still the best.

[@josephmarkey9096]

38 years I've loved the Tornado. Obsessed with every detail and I never knew it had to be winched back into it's HAS!

[@hannosolo]

Winched in the newer has. The older style has in Germany we preferred a tractor push-back because the winches were not really designed for the heavier Tonka. Hope that’s another little detail for you 😊

[@magna4100]

I knew, and I'm mentally retarded.

[@gareth2467]

@@hannosolo We used to winch the Tornados back into the HAS at Bruggen & LBH

[@hannosolo]

@@gareth2467 I was LBH XV and it was push-back only. I questioned it when I arrived there, because always used winch on 617 new hazes, and informed the reason given.

[@martinpearce4604]

Push backs were a lot quicker if your tractor driver knew what he was doing. Much preferred "HOT" push backs especially on TACEVAL when every minute counted

[@DrumsTheWord]

This is what makes our country great....a cliche, I know...but just look at it. What a wonderful production for our RAF!

[@RiflemanMoore]

"THIS ONE'S FOR YOU BLODWYN" is my new favourite Windsor Davies quote.

[@imgonelol169]

I didn’t expect to see you here

[@johnraines4825]

Windsor Davies was hysterical. Always did a great job. Love this series. Wish I could get it on Region One dvd.

[@Stun-69]

Whoever thought this up was a genius, using a legend such as Windsor Davies. It ain’t half hot mum wouldn’t have been the same without him, great series which I have on dvd. RIP lovely boy.

[@12G_Pyro]

Ah the good old HAS, perfect for a spot of hiding from the raging FS or a bit of kip. Remember on 14Sqn in Lossiemouth around 2008 when the RAF got issued the Hilux fleet, someone packed up in a yellow zone in the early hours and didn't check before opening the doors. Lad couldn't find the Hilux so walked back to ops. Later that morning someone found the Hilux, bent like a horse shoe around the HAS door frame and the concrete blast wall! Cant remember ever seeing that lad again on sqn!

[@davetaylor2088]

One of our family friends used to call me a "nasty little man", one of my favourite memories, I loved this, thank you very much indeed.

[@tonyhaynes9080]

Brilliant. I always maintained that you could make something amusing but still get the point across without boring the pants off people.

[@TheophilusPWildbeest]

Loved the mis-speak in this, Royal Hair Force and Hairy-planes and best of all at the end "Shut up, you is inedible". Thanks for posting.

[@MonkPetite]

Those hairoplanes can be hairable dangerous.

[@pentuprager6225]

Nothing "mis-spoken" at all.

[@pentuprager6225]

@@MonkPetite couldnt even get it right first time you nancy boy. Delete it a do it again. MOVE JASEL MOVE JASEL MOVE JASEL!!!!!!!

[@Rick-ve5lx]

Fuel boozers and GPOs

[@carlbirtles4518]

Although he was Welsh, Welsh people don't speak like that, do they?

[@carabus0354]

Rest in Peace Windsor Davies, you are missed as a hero of mine. Loved this video as I kid my Dad took me into one of these hangars and sat me in a Jaguar, one of my fondest memories of his time and my Mom's in the "Royal Hair Force".

[@andyprada2767]

Blimey, as they say. The editor on this production, Mike Crane, was an old colleague of mine at SSVC, (Services Sound and Vision Corporation) back in the eighties up to the noughties.(I should say I was a colleague of Mike as he was rightfully senior to me in all respects.) I have nothing but the fondest memories of working with him and many other creatives up at the Chalfont Studios. BTW It still exists today and after 35 years I still work for them!

[@mollyfilms]

I would love to know what the budget was for this? I also worked in this sector back in the day (camera) and went on to Broadcast for my sins. Now out and retired, but I loved the laid back shoots of corporate work. Didn’t feel like work at all but a good jolly somewhere interesting mainly.

[@corjp]

Marvelous , outstanding, Thank you SgtMjr Williams for all you services,, You were a true jewel to the crown!

[@Q3ToPBuZz]

Absolute genius. Grew up watching Windsor Davies. So sad to hear of his passing.

[@unclefranko2452]

LOVELY BOY , LOVELY BOY , SHOLDERS BOY ,SHOW EM OFF SHOW EM OFF . Absolutely brilliant video, loved every minute RIP windsor .😊

[@SiCrewe]

Good on him for filming the entire thing on site, rather than just doing a couple of bits to camera and then the rest of it being a voice-over from a studio.

[@ToonandBBfan]

Love his Sergeant-Mjaor persona

[@DavBlc7]

RIP Windsor Davies Sad to see him go but rest well.

[@CanadaMatt]

Just imagine Windsor Davies arriving in Heaven, surrounded by golden harps, fluffy clouds and angels with wings. Oh, the poofery!

[@fettlerjohn3419]

Good call that made me laugh 👍🏼

[@gilanbarona9814]

Company, present arms!!! To our honoured comrade Windsor Davies, you have our undying affection.

[@raymondhamill270]

SQUAD! ATTENTION!

[@philipmarchant5608]

Superb, what a bloke Windsor Davies was RIP. Brilliant

[@cambs0181]

Covid, Brexit, potential recession, low interest rates etc. I feel that many problems in the UK at present could be resolved by Windsor Davies dressed as a Warrant Officer.

[@kayley-sarahmcauley1807]

He would make all snowflakes cry... by telling them to shuddup and then calling them rude names

[@ant2312]

yeah the whinging remainers@@kayley-sarahmcauley1807

[@tommyatkins2527]

He'd sort out putin too

[@kilm2232]

Ah the good old days when the military was never really sure how to communicate messages to their troops, especially those around safety. We had the cartoons, the actors, the comedic style films, the very serious films, but we never quite hit the nail on the head.

[@miklmiklmtrcycl6009]

Oh goodness. As a Canadian I only just discovered mr. Davies last fall on KZbin. Sounds like he had a bloody good time in his golden years in the south of France. Thank you for all the fine entertainment sir!

[@_Matsimus_]

This made my day! Our British version of Gunny Love this! Thanks for uploading. I have this also but cant upload anything that isn't "mine" anymore....

[@jockmcscottish7569]

Guys a legend. He must have had some service under his belt

[@flashstudiosguy]

I think, in my infinite wisdom, that I will show this to my Air Cadet Squadron when I go on duty tonight

[@suecharnock9369]

please post the response!

[@davidhunter553]

Wow. So so sad 😔 that an iconic comedian has left us. I served 14 years with the Royal Regiment of Artillery and I know 100,s of WO2,s that wanted a voice like his. Trust me, many tried 😂😂. I also find it sad that, that kind of comedy is long gone. Too much pc nowadays. I would LOVE for more of this kind of comedy genre.

[@birddog9708]

David Hunter I drilled a troop at catterick. The colonel sent a scimitar round to tell me to quite it down because he couldn't hear people on his phone. So much for hard shelters lol

[@drewlawrence696]

Victors....must have been RAF Marham. Love Windosr Davies comic timing, spot on...he will be greatly missed.

[@John-pn4rt]

indeed, the coordinates of the HAS shown at 4:35 place it firmly at Marham!

[@davidscoltock3970]

I worked for NAAFI at Marham, remember going up to the squadrons in the old wagon.

[@AlanEvans789]

@@davidscoltock3970 Plus you could win dinner for two in Swaffham. I was over at Neatishead from 85 to 92 as a radar tech.

[@EEWW2006]

The MAR stencilled on the GSE is a giveaway too

[@Muckhauler]

Yup, filmed at 27sqn HAS - RAF Marham, I was stationed there in ‘89 when this was filmed, recognised one or two of the ground crew faces but never knew Windsor had visited at the time to film! Brought back a few memories!!

[@Dan.Chaytor]

RIP Windsor Davies. A lovely man instructing the lovely boys of the Royal Hair Force how stay safe. Stand at ease Sgt Major. I’ll shout you a pint in the upstairs NAAFI. Dismissed.

[@MrBigj1970]

glad i met him when i did i asked him for an autograph he so polite and signed his name even got a shopkeeper to take a photo of us together

[@babychickenstudios]

My late dad met him in the late 70s..Windsor went to a pub in Beaumaris where my late grandad worked and my dad came in and Windsor asked my dad if he would like a drink with him! So Windsor, my dad and my grandad all had a drink together 😊

[@haydoncooper3744]

I could imagine the faces of the 5th floor if they were to see this today.Windsor does this this in the best way possible.I’m pretty sure those who have watched this will have remembered it and still do this day.

[@hoofie2002]

Cheers mate - RIP a good man by all accounts.

[@danielpalmersofficial]

Rest in peace Windsor, you will be missed. ✌️😇

[@stevethompson1421]

His Sgt Major was a superb, comic creation. A pity it wasn't utilized more, elsewhere.

[@ChrisHopkinsBass]

He used the voice brilliant as the Sgt Major Zeroid in Gerry Anderson’s Terrahawks in the 80s

[@daddybob6096]

From New Zealand. Rest In Peace Windsor Davies, thankyou for your service Sir.

[@bnipmnaa]

ffs man, knock it off with that gushing yank shit.

[@skylongskylong1982]

I used you to play one of those dubious types during TACAVALS tip toe into airbases, and chalking Blown Up on aircraft. I always found when lurking around , that RAF Marham, seemed to be more tatty than RAF Honnington, and could never figure out why they removed jets from Honnington and not Marham. Mind you RAF Police dogs at Marham were good, they picked up my scent 400 metres away !

[@petyrkowalski9887]

A very heffective film about hairyplanes in the hair force.

[@e-remes7029]

"Dinner for two in Swaffam" 😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂

[@RC-oi1gg]

Royal Hairy Force! Brilliant

[@beertruk2429]

The Battery Sergeant Major would have been right at home in the Australian Army. RIP Sir!

[@daniellyne1]

We have lost a one of our favourite actors they don't make Em like this anymore

[@moelview]

RIP Battery Sergeant Windsor Davies. Now you is dimissed Lovely Boy!

[@pauldrive7243]

Thank you Windsor Davies was a brilliant actor! It aint half hot mum introduced me to him and I loved him in Never the twain!.

[@andrewjohnston4127]

Look for carry on England, he is in full on Sgt major mode 😂

[@pauldrive7243]

@@andrewjohnston4127 Yeah I forgot about that

[@markmuldoon805]

Humor always adds to the memory retention of an audience.

[@rudiruttger]

It's impossible not to crack a grin at least once.

[@HaydnMillerUK]

I went to this exact airbase which is now a museum, and saw in the large hanger with all the planes I saw a tv playing this video!

[@BigKelvPark]

And to thing 4 years after this was made, I did my first solo man A see off as an LAC in has 67. Now long flattened. Superb quality transfer of the film, I only ever saw it as a poor quality SSVC VHS transfer.

[@Elementa2006]

You know, I can totally see the Sargeant Major somehow still living and active in the 1980s. (possibly too dedicated or stubborn to let old age catch up to him)

[@lewissmith3896]

Me too.

[@GWLAD]

Loved Windsor Davies RIP 🪦🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧

[@josephmarkey9096]

"These ere Tornah-does" 🤣

[@bikechainmic]

A wonderfull man, still missed. A truely unforgettable safety film.

[@thefrecklepuny]

''Bomb bullet and rocket-proof''. What is interesting and somewhat ironic is that just 2 years later, the very same Tornados along with Buccaneers were punching holes in Iraqi hardened aircraft shelters with 1,000lb Paveway LGB's.

[@the.parks.of.no.return]

Psychological proof.

[@mucusmembrane1444]

LGBS? So the they can be beat by a bunch of poofs?

[@eddievhfan1984]

@@mucusmembrane1444 LOL In any other context, this would be so wrong. But context is everything.

[@fatimaali7539]

Windsor Davies was an amazing actor he had a great talent for making ppl laugh RIP sant major

[@jayzkz]

i really miss him, he was so funny. God rest him

[@haydoncooper3744]

Wise words from the great Windsor Davies.The guy is a Legend.

[@dannywestern831]

At ease lovely boy.. 😔r.i.p Windsor 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🇬🇧

[@jbss7382]

+Justin Palmer, Thank you so much for posting this. It's terribly sad a comic genius has departed to the stage in the sky. I know RAF Marham, having spent 9 years there in total with The Royal Engineers and The Royal Air Force. I'm sure he'll be whipping them into shape up there! MOVE YA 'SELF!!! Left right left right!😆😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 Jonathan Seth-Smith

[@EEWW2006]

Nice little day out at Marham for Windsor there. Thanks for the memories of the TACEVAL's. I won't be sleeping tonight...

[@jonmartin_again]

First few minutes and I’m hooked. Thanks for posting this.

[@Starfield6824]

Rest In Peace Sir. May God look after you in Heaven and remembered Forever

[@tomhaskett5161]

What a wonderful gem! Thanks for posting.

[@4002corbe]

A bit of Light Div at the end gotta love that …

[@ashleystyles6888]

Brilliant upload. And having served from 1987-88, 1988-1994, and 2003-2009 this is a real treat in having not seen it before. I'm assuming this was filmed at RAF bruggen, Germany in the late 80s......

[@pweiss1883]

Bow to him and thankies for having posted it... admittedly a peculiar piece of history - nevertheless an important lesson to the ever-at-their-smartphone-looking generation...

[@davidkelly5145]

Brilliant. What memories

[@roberta.5593]

😂 Windsor Davies …. Great 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻 … unforgettable!!!

[@seanhall]

Thanks for uploading, really enjoyed it.

[@user-bu8uk2yu8y]

I met Windsor Davis a few times during the filming of this at RAF Marham. 1988.

[@DocterGeko]

Oh dear, how sad, we do mind. RIP Windsor.

[@kevincudbertson5640]

Love it! Thanks for posting....

[@jjsmallpiece9234]

They weren't proper RAF lineys - much too slim and fit. Nice to see the standard WAAF large rear end, towards the end of the film. All WAAFs were built for comfort.

[@Casshern1456]

Nowadays what's on our television sets are minor in comparison to 80's our heritage was dwarfed by them so called international affairs. Thank you Mr Palmer for digging out this treasure.

[@Mr71paul71]

I expect it was the 3 Nancy boys who gave this video the thumbs down

[@spike7269]

this one likes it

[@lordofbore]

Up to 6 now ,what a blatent display of poofery !!

[@05017351]

6 Nancy boys now. The first 3 must have shown this to their partners!

[@simplyphil.photography164]

SHUT UP!! You Pofferter

[@simplyphil.photography164]

My Rasman would have been in his element watching this, they must have gone to the same school !! On the double, that includes you Smith. @Jonah Mansel

[@mrcockney-nutjob3832]

Really enjoyed this, thank you.

[@schweinhund227]

Thank you for sharing this! RiP Windsor Davies

[@motormouser]

What a brilliant video,thanks for posting.

[@peterhall728]

What an absolute Star WD was. Full of Welsh character. I fondly remember watching these training vids on my annual GDT ( Ground Defence Training) courses which included the range and the CS chamber. I especially love the 80's sound track to them.That synthesiser sound that they all had just brings me right back to being an 'Erk.

[@enra72]

I forgot how funny he was ..RIP..

[@johnmartin-qw8xi]

Remember that video. Got it as part on my working on a has site training on my first posting to a Tonka Squadron..

[@AnotherSale]

Fantastic Upload

[@EasyTiger700]

A great film by “Thee Royal Hair Farce”. “Lally boys”.

[@colintraveller]

Am sure he said Thee Royal Airey Force ""

[@birddog9708]

I think the hair rope lane is a bit like the hard shoulder on an heirs trip.

[@scopex2749]

I served in the RAF from 1976 - 86 and was never shown this film or knew about it? SHOULDERS BACK lovely boy! Great to see the old Victors and Tornados!

[@mattwilcock8967]

Thanks mate, good share

[@angusmcangus7914]

This whizzes me back 35 years.

[@markanthony4655]

Love it The Royal Hair Force and Hairy planes. Made me chuckle, as I am ex-RAF.

[@timwaywell]

I always liked Windsor Davies performances RIP Mr Davies

[@reneeverlaan3056]

a screwdriver gets sucked into a jet engine...... ...oh dear how sad never mind...

[@andrewdrabble8939]

Brilliant. Just brilliant R.I.P Windsor Davies