Commando, Winning the Green Beret. (638 Troop + AAC) Series

[scottymac]

Hi Lads,

I have been hanging out to get hold of the seven part documentry that followed 638 Troop and an All Arms Course that was shown on TV some time in the early nineties.

I know Hugh McManners wrote a book that followed the series, the book is relatively easy to get hold off but the TV Series is like rocking horse turd.

If anyone knows where it can be purchased, it would be much appreciated, or if anyone has a copy then I'd love a copy, all at my expense.

If anyone missed it back then, it was a very detailed and accurate portrayal of recruit training. My two sprogs are Booties in the making and I know the series assisted me in my preparations.

Cheers,

Scotty.

[digitalfreefall]

I contacted ITV about this, it is not available to purchase and they will not repeat the series. Shocking really, I asked if it was possible to broadcast the series on one of the digital channels late at night if I got a petition going, again there response was "we dont do requests" At that point I was advised not to call again.

[harry hackedoff]

Wasn`t it on Westward Ho to start with? How you ask these arsewipes often has a bearing on their response.
One of our guys was followed by a news helo as he prepared for a two day canoe race down here. Brills footage for about five minutes. They found out the guy`s address from his race number and sent him the footage with a shitty note saying only for your eyes or we sue your arse.
Polite letter from yours truly backed up with how we are seen down here, amongst the Service Community and how big a bunch uf cnuts will you look when it gets out that you said no, and guess what?
Suddenly there is no probs and the footage is on our website
Don`t ask when it will be shown. Tell`em why they look like w4nkers for not showing it.
Was it Bodie or was it Doyle what done the commentary, btw

[Tam527]

Scotty,
I remember the series very well. Bloody good it was as well.
Martin Shaw- or Doyle - narrated it as I remember.
Looked everywhere on planet for it, even Ebay. No dice.
One of the lads featured was a lad called Jaffa. Asian descent. Broke his leg during training and then gradually built himself back up to win his beret. Another lad completed 17 miles of the 30 miler with a busted ankle as well and they gave him his beret anyway for his utter determination.
Pity the won't re-run the series.

Tam

[harry hackedoff]

What became of Jaffa?
Was he a jaffa

[letsrole]

I remember this series well too, had three episodes on video up until a year or so ago when my mum taped over it with Eastenders! Even though the video was in my room and labeled

I remember the lads doing wet and dry, all looking so happy... and the guy who asked the training team what the point was got a raping. And in the first week of training there was this mental Sgt "if you cant keep your accomodation in here clean how the fu(k are you going to cope in the feild!"

Also on the feild kit inspections; the bits of kit clocked up a few thousand air miles...

[scottymac]

Hey Folks,

Thanks for the responses, looks like it is truly impossible to get hold of. I emailed Hugh McManners earlier today to see if he has a copy, but no reply as yet!!

The guys name was Jafta, I last saw him cycling around Chivenor about 4 years ago, where he seemed happy enough!

I had the bastard series on VHS but I lent it out years ago and can't remeber who to, that'll teach me. I'll get a signature next time.

I'm going to keep trying, someone, somewhere has it.

Cheers,

Scotty.

[MrC]

I have the last few parts of the video, bought it off Ebay when the link was posted on MFAT a few months ago...

I think its parts 3/4/5 of the 5 part series...i'll see if i can find the link.

[MrC]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... %3AIT&rd=1

Thats the link from the one i purchased...says there's 1 Available...


http://feedback.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI ... dback:1:uk

Thats the seller incase you need to email him..it is a copied VHS he sends, so no doubt he'll have more copies, or a master copy.

[scottymac]

Cheers Mr C,

I've emailed the seller, fingers crossed.

Scotty.

[Artist]

Got all the episodes somewhere but as I'm in the process of a divorce and moving house I'm afraid your going to have to wait until the dust has settled here in Deepest Cheshire Scottymac.

Artist

[scottymac]

Cheers Mate,

Hope everything settles down for you.

Scotty.

[harry hackedoff]

How long did Jaffa serve then?
As I remember, some of Martin Shaw`s commentary had me retching.
At the time it was a great PR tool and recruiting wasn`t a problem for ages afterwards.
I did wonder if the Corps had any say as per the commentary though.

They should`ve asked Jimmy $aville to do the gig, he`s far more Corps friendly

[Sisyphus]

I remember this series well too, had three episodes on video up until a year or so ago when my mum taped over it with Eastenders! Even though the video was in my room and labeled

Lesson for the day:

If you want to prevent someone recording over a video remove the tab on the back. If you want to use it again later you can always tape over where the tab used to be.

[daverochePO51923M]

I remember this taking place as being one of the original members of 638 troop before sustaining a knee injury on Baptist run, such a long time ago.