Copied over from the PI thread:
There are, I am sure, many stories of intercepts on the Vulcan and the subsequent evasion. In the one below we could not evade as we were on a flight plan over France but there were plenty of other instances where we could.
In days of old when the only RAF 4-jets were Comets or V-bombers we never declared aircraft type except RAF 4-Jet.
One day, over France, 14 Aug 1964, we were asked by the French ATC for our airframe number. "We are a 4 jet we replied".. What sort of 4 jet? "A 4-jet 4-jet" was the quick reply.
Are you a Vulcan? Are you Vulcan Xray Mike 647?
Now that was a tough call. Yes would blow security and No would be a lie.
Just then the co called and reported 2 Mirage on our starboard side. That's nothing said the wg cdr. We have 2 F104 on the other.
Basically we were boxed by the RCAF on one side and the FAF on the other.
Fair Cop.