Don’t remember any particular probs although we were carrying quite a few snags. Basically, if it flew and the weapons system worked, we launched! On the first Stanley raid, CO 800 tried to hand the lead to #3 because his NAVHARS had dumped on launch. #3 replied that his had as well, so he tried to give me the lead - but my kit had dumped too, so he pressed on as leader.
As I recall, we had around 97% serviceability overall. Not bad - but then we did have the best maintainers in the world! It was the only time in my life that I have jumped into a jet, pulled the pins and launched - and felt absolutely happy that the BMITW had done their job and wouldn’t let me down.
My personal record from fast asleep to airborne was just short of 3 minutes. Got some good quality kip at Alert 5, by jamming my elbows in the canopy spray tubes and forming a geometric lock with my fists on the helmet.
Kids today ……….
Mog