Character Close-Up: Tug Carrington of 666

Of all the "other" members of 666. Tug is probably my favorite. His wild, don't-carish ways are so reminiscent of WWI Algy (although his abrasive manner is not). Here's a description of how he crashes his way into Biggles' squadron:

"The vague shape of a Spitfire could just be seen through the rain, side-slipping so steeply that nothing short of a miracle could prevent it from hitting the ground, wing first. The miracle happened. Algy clutched at Biggles' arm as the machine banked vertically ten feet above the turf and came to rest, nose to wind, on the tarmac."

--Spitfire Parade

Hmm. Sounds like something Algy might have done in the old days...

And this is what Carrington looks like:

"A small, hatless, leather-clad figure....His flying jacket was too large, and flapped against thigh boots that were obviously out of proportion to the wearer's size...a slim, nervous-looking youth whose pale face was thin and pinched as though with hunger. His hair was short and crisply curled. It was soaking wet. Rain trickled down his face and formed a dew-drop on the end of his nose. Pale grey eyes regarded the C.O. steadily. Occasionally his jaws moved with a slow, rolling motion."

--Spitfire Parade

And this is how he talks to Biggles:

"Biggles: 'Glad to see you, Carrington. Why are you late?'
Tug: 'I didn't know I was. Your clock is a minute fast.'
.....
Biggles: 'Forgive me for being personal, but are you eating something?'
Tug: 'No, just chewing.'
'Chewing what?'
'Gum.'
'Do you always chew gum when you report to a new station?'
'This is only my second, so I can't say.'
.....
Biggles: 'Christian name?' he asked curtly.
'Tug.'
'I mean your real name.'
'That's it--Tug.'
Biggles looked up. 'This is no time for pleasantries,' he announced crisply. 'What is your proper name?'
'I've told you twice--Tug.'"

--Spitfire Parade

And this is how Algy reacts to the newcomer:

"Algy turned away so that his face could not be seen. He was finding it difficult to retain his composure."

--Spitfire Parade.

Good to see Algy hasn't lost his sense of humor! He's probably remembering all the times he was smart with Biggles  when they were both younger, and how exasperated Biggles used to get with him...

Sadly, Tug seems to lose a lot of his rudeness as time goes on. I guess Biggles did a good job of straightening him out, but it is a pity in a way.