During the late sixties a break-in at Eric Claptons mansion resulted in the disappearance of several guitars. One in particular was of special interest. With a body in the form of a fish, it had been created for Clapton by the dyslexic deaf mute master guitar maker A. Woddysay, after he thought someone had told him ‘Clapton is Cod’.

By the early seventies Interplod had located the missing instruments at the palace of Arabian guitar collector Abdul bin Sikstring al Fenderi. In a joint military/civilian operation headed by Major Toby Boyle-Spudswell, a Bobby on a bicycle escorted by a Chieftain of the Highland Regiment launched a daring raid on Abduls palace at Wadi Yal Kumbak Agin.

In a mission so secret that even those taking part were not aware it was happening, the small contingent,- under the cover of midday when only mad dogs and Englishmen were about,- entered the palace, located the missing instruments and departed, making a clean get-away; though Toby was heard to remark “Bloody sand gets everywhere”, while adjusting his underpants.

To this day mystery still surrounds the policemans bicycle, which official reports state was a regulation Metropolitan Police issue that the Constable took with him as excess baggage. However there are unconfirmed reports that it was in fact obtained at a local bazaar in exchange for two goats and a Donny Osmond LP.

This incident threatened Arab/British relationships but Abdul bin Sikstring got his revenge on the West when his cousins infiltrated the judging panel of the Eurovision song contest and condemned us to a decade of ABBA songs.

I would like to build a diorama of this little known event but I am unsure if the policeman wore his standard uniform. Does the Met have a desert uniform?

Regards Dave

Hi Dave, I did a search on Google about this incident. In recently opened files released by the Home Office it states that the policeman was actually undercover and dressed to blend in. He wore baggy shorts, a string vest, white knee lenght socks, black shoes, and a knotted handkercheif on his head. The cheiftan tank was disguised as a camel and the bicycle had its bell removed to prevent it accidently getting rung and drawing attention to them,
Hope this helps
Martin #:-)

The guitar was painted a pale blue with metalflake pickguards. The neck and head were a slate grey and word had it that the machine heads were blackened, though I think that was after the return. I think they were originally chrome

Thanks Martin, from your description the policeman sounds like yer average British holidaymaker.

Surprised to learn the Chieftain was disguised as a Camel; -surely a Woodbine would be more appropriate?

Regards Dave