Intercepted the Bear

[uxb99]

Saw this on another thread and as it's topical at the moment thought we could take it to the next level.
How many aircraft types, countries have intercepted the Tu95 'Bear' ?
Post with pics if pos.

[megan]

747 Captain of Braniff and author wrote of one trans Atlantic where he hit the obvious wake of another aircraft at night with no reported traffic in the area, a snooping Bear?

[Self loading bear]

I crossed the 95
But that was 30 kilos and 30 years ago.

[goofer3]

890 Sqn Sea Vixen, Ark Royal.


https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/700x787/sea_vixen_bear_jpg_700_27436a784aa05cece4d62428acab82f679b77 b7c.jpg

[Ohrly]

AV-8A
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/960x850/av_8a_vma_231_intercepting_tu_95_1976_7308d2fd304b98d0ca1387 92d983ca5c4f256be8.jpg
Sea Harrier FRS.1
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1000x725/british_aerospace_sea_harrier_british_aerospace_sea_harrier_ in_formation_with_tupolev_tu_95_and_grumman_f_14_16958560420 __9c5fb13d10571fa4cc3831b247741a8330b4a9e0.jpg

[Jhieminga]

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1000x749/vc10_beard_70d75f3a16f08275e062f1c4bb810f94ac95e1e8.jpg
There's another one on this page: https://www.vc10.net/Photos/vc10s_airtoair.html

[ZH875]

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/2000x1515/445bear_01_colorized_fe5d4e597ec9d812312e08f1b84b54ffd388c8e 8.jpg

[treadigraph]

Re Jhieminga's excellent pic, the oil rig seems to be having difficulty staying in formation...

[BEagle]

I was flying VC10K2 ZA141 in that photo which Jhieminga posted. The photo was taken by an F-4 navigator on Tuesday 4th February 1986 and was one of 4 x Bears I nabbed that week!

[Jhieminga]

Re Jhieminga's excellent pic, the oil rig seems to be having difficulty staying in formation...
Surprising, given that the Tu-95 probably uses a similar level of technology. ;)
Thanks BEagle, I guess photographers weren't available on all those interceptions so you're lucky to have one or two photos!

[VictorGolf]

Fascinating range of "intercepters" on show in the pictures. Just as an interested observer what were the "rules of engagement" on these intercepts and were the Russians aware of them?

[Asturias56]

Ask in the Military Forum - you'll get dozens of answers

[DaveReidUK]

Fascinating range of "intercepters" on show in the pictures. Just as an interested observer what were the "rules of engagement" on these intercepts and were the Russians aware of them?

Many years ago I organised a lecture to our local aviation society by a couple of Lightning pilots from Leuchars. As far as I can recall, the only rule was don't hit the other guy. :O

Interestingly, the rear gunner on the Bear, who was usually wielding a camera, would invariably give a friendly wave and encourage a intercepting pilot to lift their visor, believed to be a strategy whereby, over time, the Russians could work out often the same pilots appeared on intercepts.

[Brewster Buffalo]

Interesting to note that the Tu-95, which first flew in 1956, is still in service whilst all of the "interceptors" pictured above have been retired.

[Haraka]

Interesting to note that the Tu-95, which first flew in 1956, is still in service whilst all of the "interceptors" pictured above have been retired.
Tu 95 first appeared in Public in 1955 IIRC

[India Four Two]

Why the large white patches on the underside of the Vulcan in ZH875's photo?

[chevvron]

Why the large white patches on the underside of the Vulcan in ZH875's photo?
Ran out of camouflage paint?

[Bill Macgillivray]

Victor Golf, no real rules (apart from do not collide!!). However, in general terms it was fairly(!) relaxed overall. Night intercepts at low level (fairly rare) were quite demanding, however!

[Brewster Buffalo]

Why the large white patches on the underside of the Vulcan in ZH875's photo?
Something to do with its air to air refuelling role??

[Mogwi]

Fascinating range of "intercepters" on show in the pictures. Just as an interested observer what were the "rules of engagement" on these intercepts and were the Russians aware of them?
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1480x2000/falklands_018_ba5e86aede095baa08d1472319e704a8df27502b.jpg
Tee-Hee!!

Mog

[BEagle]

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1520x2000/bear_e5b6e35bfbc77fc38ea6daa9c27ff2efbe579301.jpg
Great fun it was too! Close? Close enough for the Sovietski crew to get a good look at Sam Fox in the Sun's Page 3 Calendar held against the flight deck window!!

[Haraka]

I do recall one memorable incident when one of ours moved underneath a Bear to grab some HH shots up in to the opened weapons bay . At which point there was a dropping of some of its contents......... :)

[Jhieminga]

Something to do with its air to air refuelling role??
That's it. The receiver needed a bit more perspective than just a big camouflaged triangle.
As for rules... I guess keeping the barrels of those tail guns up may have been one of the (unwritten?) ones.