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Posted on 06/06/2007 9:25:15 AM PDT by DogByte6RER
Lucy pin-ups banned by RAF
ROYAL Air Force chiefs have risked a bust-up with their pilots by forcing them to black out pictures of pin-ups painted on their planes - including Hampshire glamour girl Lucy Pinder.
In the 1940s it was common to see the likes of Rita Hayworth and Jane Russell adorning the fronts of Lancaster bombers and flying fortresses setting off en route to their German targets.
Countless more pictures of anonymous girls were splashed across aircraft, in poses almost as risque as their crews' missions were risky.
Sixty years on, when British airmen fighting the Taliban in Afghanistan decided to bring the practice into the 21st century, one of their first choices was Lucy, from Winchester.
But their plans were shot down before even getting off the ground - by politically correct bosses worried about offending female crew members and Muslim locals.
Senior commanders got hot under the collar when they heard about the paintings, and immediately ordered that any drawings on Harrier jets be blacked-out to silhouettes only.
RAF Strike Command feared that having too much flesh on display ran the risk of putting off female recruits, who could view the images as sexist.
And in a country where many women wear full burkhas, there was also the worry that pictures offending local culture could spark a diplomatic incident.
Concerned that even the outlines were too provocative, they have now ordered the images be removed completely.
Saints fan Lucy is disappointed the troops weren't allowed to have their fun. Last November she visited Afghanistan with pal Michelle Marsh as part of a morale-boosting tour, and even signed one of the planes carrying her picture.
She was shocked to hear of the enforced cover-up, saying she thought the pictures were "harmless fun".
"It's very flattering, and it's nice that they get to do something that takes their minds off things for a while," the 23-year-old told the Daily Echo.
"It's a shame they've got to change them to silhouettes. Rules are rules, but I don't think it's offensive.
"It's just the way it goes these days. They're doing a very hard job out there and we should all appreciate it.
"It's a very serious situation out there and it's a bit of frivolity, but it's just the lads having a bit of fun and light relief.
"Anything that can cheer them up for a bit must be nice."
Last night RAF bosses defended the ban as entirely appropriate, saying in a statement: "The Royal Air Force values and recognises the contribution of service personnel regardless of gender, race, religion, sexual orientation or social background.
"To this end, the RAF promotes working in an environment that is free from harassment and where personnel are respected both for the contribution they can bring to the team and the value and potential they offer as individuals."
9:00am Tuesday 5th June 2007
By Jon Reeve
Luckily for you, you aren’t involved in the killing. Maybe if you were you wouldn’t be so hypersensitive.
Being offended is something for you to deal with in an adult fashion but don’t endorse taking a small pleasure away from those doing the dirty work.
You obviously haven't seen too many army chicks
Or been around some, they're more vulgar than the men!
And isn’t there a line from Apocolypse Now with Kurtz saying “yada.yada..and soldiers are repremanded for writing f*** on their planes” or something to that affect.
These people have way too much time on their hands.
As for the blood spent by those who fought for gained ground or for those who survived relaxing in their barracks or tents, who may want to look at a pin up to remind themselves what they are fighting for and what they have waiting back HOME, well their sensibilities just don't friggin count!!
PC will be our doom!!
Why not let the Muslims paint a picture of their favorite goat, and the women can get their choice of Oprah or Rosie?
It seems as though the Brits (and the U.S.) just love to bend over and take it from their Leftist Overlords on behalf of the Muzzies. (And for any other “Minorities” for that matter).
???
No, not many. I've seen some that were quite buff but otherwise feminine (some guys like that) and some that were more masculine than men. Other than that, I wouldn't want to generalize. I would hope that it isn't like the NYPD where some of the female officers are quite petite.
I salute the Stars and Stripes.
The men who enjoy this nose art put their lives on the line so that you have 1) a right to be offended; 2) the right to say and post that you are offended; and 3) the right to teach your son anything that you please. Perhaps you should ignore the nose art that you do not have to look at and let these guys do a little something to entertain themselves and/or boost their morale.
Just a thought ...
LOL!....it’s Lucy!
I gotta say, as a woman (and a Christian!), I’m not offended. The planes were named and painted up as a morale booster.....maybe a tad risque, but not vulgar.
The Enola Gay was named after the pilot’s mother!
Great story!
You realize that if Eve didn’t take that darn apple this wouldn’t even be an issue for you.
They harm no one except those who are hyper-sensitive. Grow up.
That’s worth fightin’ for.
>>Hey that’s rather tame compared to just about anything you see in SI.<<
No doubt. But some Freepers are at work and some have kids and some just wouldn’t have liked the one I found first. :)
I'm well into my 40s, but I would be tempted to go back into the military just to meet these two!
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