I recall the events that led to the Hastings Stream Commander issuing the scatter order. Crap wx had stymied the stream launched for over a week. This was the last chance to get it, plus the Bevs and Argosies, all a/b together. Otherwise Ex Tense Caper was going to be a no go that year. In anticipation of yet another scratch, the met man was politely informed his services would not be needed at the Colerne crew briefing. In his place was a 38 Gp Capt who provided a gloomy enough forecast which was however just within limits. The briefing proceeded, Start Up, Taxy Out, and T/O commenced. About half the stream got airborne and our turn was looming when the order came through to abandon further T/Os. Back we trundled to park, shut down, and thence to the bar.
As the evening wore on we were joined by those who had scattered and eventually RTB'd. Some had filed to join controlled airspace and hence safety, others had sought different solutions. One said he had gone straight to the Bath Prohibited Area and held there. "What altitude were you at?", "2500 ft, why?", "So were we! Which way round were you going?". By some miracle they had avoided having a mid-air. A bloody dangerous business indeed!
That annual exercise was obviously named by someone with a very keen sense of humour.
