PESTIFEROUS PUTIN

"Russian bombers in the skies over Bournemouth: RAF jets scramble to intercept intruders

• Typhoon jets flew alongside the long-range bombers over the Channel
• Experts say Russians may have been probing weaknesses in UK defence
• Bombers were in international airspace, but deviated from a stand route

British war planes were yesterday scrambled to intercept two Russian bombers capable of carrying nuclear missiles as they flew south of Bournemouth.

Typhoon jets on high alert were dispatched from two RAF bases and flew alongside the long-range Russian Bear aircraft until they were out of the region.

Last night experts said Vladimir Putin’s move to send planes capable of carrying cruise missiles so close to British shores could be seen as an act of aggression.



Off you go: A Russian Bear is escorted by an RAF jet during an alert in September. (File picture)

They said the manoeuvre in the English Channel could have been designed to ‘probe the RAF speed of reaction’ – raising fears that the Russians were looking for weaknesses in the British fighter force.

Within seconds of the bombers deviating from their usual flight path, the British quick reaction alert (QRA) jets were scrambled.

A defence source said the RAF always ‘maintains the highest level of readiness’, just as in the days of Battle of Britain.
The Typhoons were dispatched from RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland and RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire. They were so close to the Russian planes – roughly 1,000ft away – that they could signal to the pilots.

A QRA is launched to intercept aircraft that cannot be identified by any other means. In this case, the Russians would either not have filed a flight plan, not transmitted a recognisable surveillance radar code, or failed to talk to air traffic control.

Elizabeth Quintana, of defence think-tank the Royal United Services Institute, said: ‘This case is very unusual. Normally Russian Bears come past Norway and down the North Sea. It could have been used to probe the RAF speed of reaction south.’

In a reference to the inquiry into the poisoning of former KGB spy Alexander Litvinenko in London, she said: ‘Flying any military aircraft in or close to the sovereign airspace of another country signals displeasure or at worst aggression.’

While the bombers were in international airspace, they were deviating from a standard route."

I guess Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin is a bit peeved with the loss of the high price of Oil on which he depends and the sanctions that are affecting his friends, and his, private incomes a The drop in the Rouble is also affecting the normal people in Russia as well as the Satellite
countries so he's reverting back to the old style USSR cold war tactics. I think he believes that he's tweaking the nose of the UK and Europe by flying two 63 year old Bombers "boldly" down the English Channel and showing us that he can do what he wants and that he's still a power to be reckoned with.
Unfortunately for him it's nothing new as Russia has been sending Bombers nearly every day since the 50's to test the Air Defence of the UK and Europe, it something the RAF is used to and why the QRA [Quick Reaction Alert] element was formed. So there's always a Squadron on QRA duty with aircraft ready to be in the air in a very short time to intercept them. My Squadron [No 111 Squadron] with Lightning aircraft regarded it as normal to be on QRA and got to be quite "friendly" with the Russian Bomber crews.

 

I believe that no flight plans were lodged and there was no call-sign being sent by the Russian bombers; maybe next time the bomber should meet a similar fate to MH370 and just disappear.... after all, I doubt they will have the funds to have a huge fleet of the things airworthy.

Mind you, they could just be showing off that they can afford the fuel now the price has dropped

 

"The Royal Air Force Roundel
The Royal Air Force Roundel

The origins of the Royal Air Force roundel come from the First World War. The need to be able to identify aircraft soon became apparent and orders were issued at the end of August 1914 for the Union Flag to be painted on the under-surface of the lower wings. This was satisfactory at low level but was confusing when the aircraft was higher as only the cross was visible. This was often mistaken for a German cross so the French system of concentric circles was adopted in October 1914. The main differences between the French and British systems was that the colours were reversed to read blue, white and red and the Union Flag was retained in miniature between the circles and the wing tips. This miniaturised Union Flag was also painted on the rudder.​

Aircraft of the Naval Wing of the Royal Flying Corps were marked with one red ring and the Union Flag.

The Union Flag on the rudder was replaced by red, white and blue stripes in May 1915 and in June of the same year, the Roundel, or 'Target' as it was now known, was painted on the top surface of the upper wings. The Union Flag on the aircraft was abolished altogether.


Squadron variations on inter-war roundels. Both of these are from 25 Squadron aircraft.

Since the Second World War the red disk of British aircraft markings has had a larger diameter, measuring half again the width of either of the outer rings. The reason for this change is obscure, but it may be fair to presume a mere technicality of draughtsmanship when the white was removed before the war, as a concession to camouflage and then reintroduced after the war.

​

Fighter aircraft roundels developed throughout the Second World War.

​

Bomber and transport roundels followed roughly the same pattern.There were variations of the Royal Air Force roundel during the War. A fourth colour, yellow, was added to the outside of the blue circle to make the roundel more visible against the newly introduced camouflage schemes. Fighter aircraft in the early years had a yellow circle of about the same thickness of the red and white circles, whereas larger aircraft such as bombers had a much thinner yellow circle around the roundel. Aircraft involved operations in the Far East carried a completely different version altogether. Here, the roundel was of two colours only - a mid-blue/grey outer ring with a white centre. These were carried to avoid confusion with Japanese aircraft which carried a red circle in the centre of a thin white outer ring.

​

The South East Asia Command lost the red circle to prevent confusion with the Japanese markings.

Today, the roundel appears in three formats on RAF aircraft. Attack aircraft such as Tornados and Jaguars, Chinooks, Pumas and Merlins of the Support Helicopter Force and Hercules transports carry a two-colour roundel of dark blue outer circle with a red centre. Fighter aircraft (Tornado F3s and Eurofighters) and Nimrod maritime patrol aircraft carry a 'washed out' roundel of pale blue and red whilst the traditional blue, white and red roundel can still be found on VIP aircraft (BAe 125s and BAe146s of No 32 Squadron), Tristars and training aircraft.

​

The standard Gulf War roundel (left) and a local variant applied in the field (right).

​

Modern training aircraft roundels include a white outline, whereas most front line aircraft carry a reduced visibility red and blue version."

So that's the real answer, Harry, the roundel decals are still there but smaller and less visible. The other decals are the squadron markings such as this No 41 Squadron aircraft





I think the Typhoon escorting the Russian Bear is a No.6 Squadron aircraft.

 

Just a stirring of memory regarding No 41 Squadron. I was serving with No.111 Squadron, also known as Trembling First, Trouble One Squadron, and as the RAF Aerobatic Squadron the Black Arrows, Lightnings] at RAF Wattisham in Suffolk in the mid 60's and also stationed there was No. 56 Squadron [Lightnings] and No 41 Squadron [Javelins]. I remember watching the OC Flying Wing, who borrowed a Javelin aircraft from No 41 Squadron, taxying along the peri-track to the runway when his starboard wing landing wheel started to smoke due to a faulty brake. Anyway, he pulled over, got out of the aircraft and sat nonchalantly against the nose wheel waiting for a Landrover to pick him up. We were watching a good half mile away but saw the Wing Commander start doing a hundred yards in less than ten seconds when the smoking wheel burst into flames. The aircraft was completely in flames within seconds and because it was loaded with cannon shells and some Firestreak missiles started to go off like fireworks. I have to confess that every time there was an explosion there was a cheer going up!!! The fire was so bad and dangerous that the RAF Fire Service and the Civil Fire Service had to just stand by and watch. Those were the days!!!

This is one of the No.111 Squadron Lightning aircraft I used to service


And this is the new Lightning II due to be in service soon.

 

I think it would be something that the Russians would find hilarious if they were asked to register flight plans by the UK or any other country as it's something they will never do.

 

No, I've spoken with Zigski, and FCski, and, after they've put the Vodka down, they're totally sure we're not being monitored So no problem there,
мой друг,

 

Around £90 million and some change per aircraft, Harry, and that's not counting the cost of the combined joint research and development program of the UK, USA, and other countries