It is worth putting practice scrambles into context. Whilst the general public was usually only aware of them through air displays they were a routine feature of V-force training. The monthly group exercise would involve 3 to 5 waves of 4 aircraft being scrambled in succession from each 1 Gp station. In addition a dispersal airfield was usually exercised on a monthly basis with the aircraft being scrambled from it the day after flying in. Looking back I would estimate that the average crew probably participated in a practice scramble on at least 2 months out of 3, quite possibly more frequently.
Scrambles were not a party piece rolled out for air displays and visiting dignitaries, they were a central element of what we did.
YS