21 MAY 1965, Page 13

Ungracious Simile

SIR,—Political Commentary' last week included the words: 'He was rather like one of those officious RAF air-sea rescue helicopters which swoop upon unsuspecting, and perfectly happy, bathers and haul them to safety.' I protest at this ungracious simile. I wonder how many times someone is rescued un- necessarily? How does this number compare with the times the air-sea rescue helicopter is most wel- come? I have been reading the Spectator for twenty years. I have spent the last two years training heli- copter pilots. For once I am glad that very, very few of my students read the Spectator, and I am sending you my first fourpenny one to tell you so.

A. D. PANTON

Officers' Mess, Royal Air Force.Manby.Louth,Lincs.