Don’t forget that the RAF ‘K’ model is pretty unique in the world in that it had the RAF tie down system for cargo. This meant the aircraft was structurally quite different, and it would be very expensive to convert to ‘normal’ spec.
And what a pain it was. If ever there was a case for stringing somebody up in procurement that was it. Having to lie on the freight bay floor with your cheek on often red hot metal just so you can blow sand out of the floor point was (and I have no doubt still is) the bane of many a backenders life. As you were already sweating somewhat your face would look like a fish finger as the sand invariably stuck to it.
And as for that winch. It was rubbish when it was fitted to the Beverley so I am told. Better than the J model option though. HMG opted as a cost saving to not have the standard fit winch which swivelled out of the floor, and resorted to good old Beverley Technology once more!
Back on topic though, It became very prudent to check that the helpful chap who volunteered to do the Probe Pull Off Checks before a planned tanking sortie over the North Atlantic was A) aware that quite a lot of fuel could come out (to be collected in poly bags honest guv) and B) that the co pilots DV window was shut before commencing. Or the Flight Deck Crew could get quite annoyed at the smell of Avtur on a seven hour trip!
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