Armourers unload concrete headed rockets from trolley. (author)

"Don't worry, they wont go off", says Mike Halpin as he casually stands by a rocket-armed FGA.9 in Kuwait in 1961 (Mike Halpin)

Fred Rawson and Larry Forster prepare to arm a Hunter for the final time, Khormaksar 1963. (author)

Fred and Larry afix rocket to FGA.9 on their last working day at Khormaksar. Note mug of tea simmering on the aircraft wing (author)

Dave Wareing strapping in Pete Loveday at Khormaksar in 1963. (author)

Pete Wotton uses asbestos glove to douse the flames from the Avpin starter. (author)

When an engine failed to light-up at first attempt, fuel left in the tail pipe would often ignite on the subsequent attempt. Khormaksar 1964 (author)

Pete Wotton marshalling Chris Cureton out in FGA.9, XE618. (author)

Jock Harman making safe Hunters returning from the range. (author)

Ginger Rees marshalls a Hunter in assisted by Terry McNally on the steps. (author)

In the heat of a midday sun, Ray Byatt signals Bill Shepherd to apply the brakes on XF421-C, Khormaksar, 1964. (author)

Taff John marshalling 'orphan' 208 Sqn Hunter under the watchfull gaze of Dave Curryer and Les Burridge. (author)

Bob Cailes and Jock Harman change a gunpack in record time as 'Baz', our trusted Arab, collects used links, Khormaksar 1963 (author)

Firedrill. As firemen lay foam, groundcrews begin to move aircraft to safe distance. (author)

Firedrill. Three Hunters are pushed to the back of the pan, out of harms way. Note attendent Sycamore. (author)

8 Squadron 'Camel Corps' formate in line abreast on their new mounts, Khormaksar, 1963. (author)

Squadron armourers in Bahrain, Xmas 1961. (Alan Lowe)

Merv Patterson and Taff Price show what they think of Air Cdre Johnie Johnson's enforcing of the 3" above the knee rule. Khormaksar 1964 (author)

8 Sqn groundcrew wait patiently for the return of their aircraft from an up-country operation (Peter Lewis)

Moonies! Ben Bennett points to new arrivals Vic Cozens and ANOther as Pete Hall (left standing) and others look on, Khormaksar 1962 (Ben Bennett)

Mick Bennett once again at Khormaksar in 1963 with the Squadron mascot (Slops??). (author)

A pride of plumbers outside the line caravan at Khormaksar in 1961 with Alan Lowe, Bob Burton, Colin Moore, and Johnny Crombie (Alan Lowe)

Following warnings of an over-zealous 'snoop' at Bahrain, Ginger Rees takes care while snapping a visiting Vulcan (author)

Dave Barnes about to begin work on one of the squadrons's T.7s at Khormaksar in 1963. (Dave Barnes)

Not that handle, the one over your head! Baz the trusted Arab worker, does not look too happy in the ejector seat, Khormaksar 1963 (Dave Barnes)

Tom Banks and Baz Clake inside the line caravan at Khormaksar in 1962. (Ken Rochester)

'Brum' Robinson and Ray Byatt take a well earned break at Khormaksar in 1963 (Vic Cozens)

The only shield from the sun for the first line team at Khormaksar was this tatty line tent (Vic Cozens)

Vic Cozens prepares to take the weight of the FR.10 nose cone once it is detached as Ray 'moonie' Deacon leaves him to it (Vic Cozens)

Two stalwart engine fitters, Tim Rolt and Tom Banks, use their wizardry to inject some life into the squadron Land Rover, 1963 (Ken Rochester)

Having succeeded in getting the engine started, Tim moves off to give the Rover a thorough 'off-road' test (Ken Rochester)

An official view of Ben Bennett marshalling XE600-G onto its spot on the new concrete pan at Khormaksar in 1960 (Ben Bennett)

XE620-F taxies in following a ten-ship flypast over Khormaksar on 8 March, 1960 (Ronnie Hush)

These three aircraft, XE592, XE609 and XE618, are having the ejection seats removed by crane, a sure sign of an urgent modification, 1963 (Tom Banks)

Interruptions were commonplace on the line but a chat with the C-in-C, Lt General Charles Harrington, a rarity. Here Merv Patterson and .....

..... Ray Deacon have an exchange of views with the C-in-C on the Khormaksar pan. The British withdrew from Aden four years later!

With a Beverley on short finals, two Venoms taxi onto the 8 Sqn pan at Khormaksar, towards the end of the aircraft's tenure in Aden (Bill Horspole)

In may not look like it but Bill Horspole is hard at work in the cockpit of this Venom, Khormaksar, 1959 (Bill Horspole)

Perfectly captured in this 1963 image at Ksar are six groundcrew awaiting the return of their Hunters from an up-country mission (Taff John)

Taken a short while later, these five airmen are resting in front of the Avpin store (Taff John)

The opportunity to fly in a T.7 was offered to airmen approaching tourex and Ray Deacon jumped at the chance to fly in XL613 with Sid Bottom at the controls in February 1964 (author)

Despite being busy for most of their shift, Dave Curryer and Jock (?) find time to join one of the regular card schools in the line tent (Taff John)

Not quite the Three Musketeers but Dave Curryer, Taff John and Tim Rolt could give a pretty good impression if required. Khormaksar, 1963 (Taff John)

Neil Mason removes the cover prior to topping up the Avpin reservoir on an FGA.9 at Khormaksar in 1963 (Taff John)