Originally Posted by
wiggy
Yep end of the shoot the tow aircraft would do a lowish fly past and drop the banner on the airfield.
It was then recovered and taken to the squadron for inspection by the weapons instructors and all others with an interest.
As I recall it each aircraft in the shoot would be firing rounds that were coated with a different colored dye/paint so multiple aircraft take turns firing on one banner and then the individual scores were established by counting the different coloured holes…..
Correct - as a JEngO, it was always fun to watch the debates / arguments about how big an individual hole was and whether it was 1/2/3/4 hits and who was trying to claim a tiny spec of multiple colours around the edge !
Also, the derision a crew would receive when they shot the banner off by hitting the tow line and it landed in the sea - especially when others claimed it was the best shoot they ever had !
You can see a banner being returned and inspected here