Thursday 13 October 2016

EE Lightning QRA 1970 11 Squadron

posted by Steve Gyles on FB


 ".. I flew with 11 Sqn 1968 to 1971, then 19 Sqn 1972 to 1974. I thought you might like this picture I took during QRA activity in April 1970. I was scrambled at about 0400 hours against 80 tracks coming round North Cape. I was subsequently joined by other Lightnings, F4s and a few tankers. I intercepted 10 aircraft; Graham Clarke in the Lightning in the photo got 7; and the tanker intercepted 3. AOC 1 Group was not at all happy with his tanker getting so close and from then on they were banned from going within 10 miles. Just for the record, the Russians were celebrating Lenin's centenary...this shot was taken towards the end of a 3.5 hour sortie. I had intercepted that one earlier, but all 3 of us ganged up on him as he was taking us straight home to Leuchars. We sat with him for about 15 minutes, then he slowly rocked his wings and turned away. I guess they got some good pictures as well because we tried various formation positions on him..."