Jags etc on M-ways

[forthbridge]

I remember a long while agoe seeing TV footage - and also in either a book or mag, images of RAF aircraft landing and taking off from Motorways - anyone recollect any more?

I've found one image:
http://www.militaryimages.net/photopost ... 42/cat/521

[cstorey]

I don't remember any more M way escapades ( the Jaguar is truly stunning - I shall pass the link on to a former colleague who was a Jaguar man because I feel sure he has never seen it) but I do remember the hilarious footage of the Harrier in the London to Paris air race which took off from a coalyard!! The Black and White Minstrel Show had nothing to compare with it

[TSR2]

If memory serves, The Frence used their Jags from Motorways more regularly. :think:

[Chris Sykes]

dont forget that the sweds make all their front line fighters designed to do this on any roads!

[speedbird591]

The main road from Changi Airport, Singapore into town was designed as an emergency fighter runway, presumably in case the airport is out of action. It's a wide, straight dual carriageway with removal plant pots as a central reservation.

http://googlesightseeing.com/locality/c ... singapore/

Ian

[Garry Russell]

They used to do demos of Jags flying off grass.

Quite a versatile machine.

Garry

[SkippyBing]

Interestingly when I was living out in Singapore briefly I was told they actually had some sort of giant chainsaw on truck type arrangement to just hack all the trees down if they needed to use the Parkway as a runway. Certainly seems quicker than moving a load of pots!

Having seen a number of Jaguars use most of Shawbury's runway and set fire to the grass in their attempt to get airborne before running into the Bristol Channel I'm impressed they found a stretch of motorway clear of obstructions long enough for one to get airborne! Having said that the footage of them doing take off runs across the grass and on and off runways is very impressive.

[forthbridge]

Interesting stuff....

I've not heard the grass takeoff mentioned before!

A bit like the 'operating Harriers from car showrooms' - never seen an image of that - although as Skippy points out, in time of need I don't think that it would take too long to rip down a few lampposts and barriers....

I also recall reading somewhere that a certain percentage of motorway is intentionally built straight to allow for A/C ops - and it explains some strange routes (to get the prevailing winds) that some deviations take. Whether it's true or not is another matter!

[steve p]

I don't remember any more M way escapades ( the Jaguar is truly stunning - I shall pass the link on to a former colleague who was a Jaguar man because I feel sure he has never seen it) but I do remember the hilarious footage of the Harrier in the London to Paris air race which took off from a coalyard!! The Black and White Minstrel Show had nothing to compare with it

Sure you don't mean the London - New York Race? The Harrier departed from a coal yard at Kings Cross and was fed en-route by Victors. The year was 1969 (I think).

Best wishes
Steve P

[edit] Putnams gives Victoria as the start and finish point (while one Harrier flew east-west, another flew west-east).

[Garry Russell]

I can only remember a London-Paris from the coal yard (Battereas???)? :think: .....1969 it was

Garry