Dear All,
Apologies to those who’s first language is not English. This is all about pronunciation – and subsequent meaning(s). I am chucking out some old notes.
There is an oasis in Oman called Firk. It has an airstrip (OOFQ).
At some stage in one the many minor wars that the Brits got themselves involved in in that neck of the woods the Argosy’s from Benson had a detachment there.
There is a Japanese alcoholic drink called sake. Some of this beverage was available in the Mess at Firk (whether legally, or illegally (it being an Islamic country), is not known).
However, my notes make mention of the fact that if one had partaken of this beverage whilst actually detached to Firk one was allowed to buy, and wear, the “Firk Sake” tie!!
Does anyone know if this is true? – or just a good mess tale. If it is true, then does any one have a pic of the tie.
TIA
Resmoroh
By: Arabella-Cox - 26th April 2011 at 18:59
Nizwa was used by Army Air Corps Beavers (& probably single Pins before my time) and an 84sqdn 748 banana-boat tried it but chickened out.
By: Wulfie - 26th April 2011 at 18:03
A Valetta landed at Firq in 1958 and broke its back. It was just pushed off the strip, and not removed until the early 70s. I found a prop lying in the desert just afterwards and had it hung on the wall of our clubhouse nearby. I was working for Wimpey building a Police Training Complex, and the site clubhouse was taken over by them, it was such a good facility. Does anyone know if it’s still there clubhouse and prop)?
We used to see the Skyvans coming and going all the time, there was no road up onto the Jebel Akhdar at the time, so the Skyvans were the only way up, apart from donkey trails.
There was another shorter strip just up the road at Nizwa, right next to the army barracks, one end of which met a two thousand foot high mountain. I was told only Police Turbo-Porters ever used it.
By: WV-903. - 26th April 2011 at 17:49
Made I laugh-Nice one !!!
Thanks for putting this one up R.
In my time out in OMAN with Airworks, I’d heard the name mentioned,but knew little more. I do now. Thanks.
Bill T.,
By: Arabella-Cox - 26th April 2011 at 17:19
precisly- i was aware that posting #1 was a bit of a dream- and in 68-69 the first SOAF skyvans had only just arrived. The tie was raised by RAF chappies on Wessex as far as i remember- I fell about laughing at the thought that Argosy went there. Not being, an ‘in’ person on this site, i nudged it- I’ve gotten threatened for telling the truth!
Thank you
By: Arabella-Cox - 26th April 2011 at 16:58
Firq was the airstrip at the bottom of the Jebel Akhdar and Saiq was the airstrip up on the Jebel Akhdar. The SOAF/RAFO Skyvans used to resupply the army garrison at Saiq.
The supplies were trucked to the strip at Firq and a Skyvan from Seeb would transport it to Saiq. On the ‘Dream Sheet’ in the ‘Van office it would usually be noted as Firq – Saiq X 5. Five was the normal number of flights a van would do per day.
I believe that the pilots who flew these resupply flights earned the tie.
CS
PS
I very much doubt if an Argosy could land at Saiq. If it did it would still be there.
By: Arabella-Cox - 26th April 2011 at 15:00
At the time these were gravel strips n just how short were they.
Did the lumbering argosy really go there in those temperatures?
By: inkworm - 25th April 2011 at 20:05
Had this relayed to me from the family Argosy pilot…
That tale rings a bell so might be true. I had heard of Firk but
never went there.But I did fly over Phuket in Thailand. The three letter code was PHU.
The story goes that a posh voice with British Airways reported that he
was over “Foo Kay”The Frenchman reported: “The Papa ‘otel ooniform”.
The Australian when asked his position put on his best Aussie accent
and replied “F*ck It”
By: PeterVerney - 25th April 2011 at 19:56
Anyone care to sing “Shaibah Blues” ?
By: Arabella-Cox - 25th April 2011 at 19:55
1969-1970
the bit you missed is the arabic 4 in the palm tre hence- 4 F S
By: SOHC750 - 25th April 2011 at 17:45
The name of the airstrip was Firq Saiq, which I believe was considered humorous in it’s own right. Never herd the story regarding the drink sake.
My understanding was that anyone who landed or dropped anything at the strip was entitled to wear the tie:
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April 25, 2011 at 4:08 pm