Originally Posted by
BEagle
NorthSouth - yes, as it was a test it was indeed flown with an IRE in the Hunter T Mk7A / T Mk8b.
In fact it was the "Long Toss" manouevre which I recall involved a 4g pull-up from 100ft at 540kts at 7nm from target. The bomb would automatically release at about 45degs NU (or the IRE shouted "Recover!") and you held the 4g while rolling to 160degs off attack heading and about 45degs ND before recovering wings level at 100ft and back at 540kts. (If my memory has faded I'm sure that DH or another will correct me!)
On 16Sqn at Laarbruch we used to practice this over the North Sea at night, sometimes going IMC at an early stage..... You really had to trust your AI and Lord knows how the poor Nav coped without even a basic attitude indication.