Originally Posted by
Dutystude
Memory can play tricks as we are finding out this week in the Senate. So I am a little sceptical.
To have 32 JPs airborne, at the same time, with an average sortie length of 1 hour requires a launch rate of 32 aircraft per hour: one ac every 2 min.
We were certainly far busier back in the day but I don’t recall launching anything like that number unless perhaps for a College Grad - even then 32 ac would seem unlikely.
I will concede that time dims the recollection, however it sticks in my mind that the number of aircraft airborne was exceptional. It was not only JPs, but CAW Dominies. Friday afternoon may have been exceptional for them as well! It was also the period when CFS were resident at Cranwell and that increased the numbers.
Whatever, it was more than a RAF station would probably achieve today on other than a special occasion. The most I recall on a graduation flypast was 22 aircraft including whip and spares.
YS