Jags on the M1
 

Driving down the M1 the other day I was reminded of something I was told in training in the early 80’s ……. With the Russian bear poised to steam roller the West we were told that several sections of motorway (the M1 was mentioned) had been specifically designed to be long enough and straight enough to operate jags etc from them when all our airfields got taken out (and we had double figures back then!). Apparently, the jets would hide under bridges, which were designed for it, and everyone would camp under cam nets on the verge!

It sounds farfetched to me. But so does operating Harriers from supermarkets with all the windows smashed so they could just roll into isle 1, and that was seriously considered. Has anyone else ever heard of motorway operations in the UK?

Jaguar Motorway "operations"
 

In '73/'74 a Jaguar operated by BAe as part of the flight test programme at Warton did make one test landing/takeoff from an un-opened stretch of motorway from Preston to Blackpool (M56?). It was to demonstrate the T/O landing capability on "unusual" runways. Didn't they opearte a Jag from the grass at Farnboro' in the same period?

It was the M55...

http://www.iht.org/motorway/m55pnb.htm

(scroll down to 2nd image) :ok:

There's more than one stretch of motorway in the UK which was designed to be used as a runway in wartime. One such section is the A1 in Lincolnshire mear Cottesmore, it's the bit next to the disused airfield at Woolfox Lodge. The southbound carriageway is perfect straight and level for several miles, whereas the other carriageway is undulating and windy. Also, there is a service road next to it which gave access to the old hardstandings at Woolfox Lodge.

There are a couple of sections of the A2 in Germany that were set up with this in mind - dead straight, no bridges or crossing power lines and service stations abeam either 'threshold'. Was anyone out there on the Harrier force in the 70s/80s ever called to activate one?

I think that this is SOP's for the Swiss air force.

Makes a lot of sense, it's doubtfullthat it would be needed but there is always a slim chance and if so could prove invaluable.

Some roads in Finland have the same purpose.

Based on Google Earth (so there may be undulations reducing the available length), that Woolfox Lodge section is about 16,000ft long. Not what could be described as a MOS! My my reckoning it's longer than any runway in the UK. Twice as long as Manston and 4000ft longer than Greenham Common. Not terribly wide though.

STH

Then of course there is the section of the M5 near Gloucester which uses the old Moreton Valence main runway. Sadly there is now no trace of the factory where Gloster produced Javelins there.

Isnt that why the Mall is painted Red - so the Royals could be picked up in a hurry - :rolleyes:

3 sections of motorway in Cyprus are set up for runway use.
The central barriers are stretched wire and the white centre lines are pre-painted. There are even hard standing areas at each end.
Don't know if its ever been tested though.

Singapore does it too. They have a major self-defence exercise every 5 years or so. Bit bizarre though, seeing an A4 roll past your car window!!

Nick Nick
 

Anyone trying to take off on one of Brown's motorways would doubtless get at least 3 points and a £60 fine!!:E

Same in Taiwan
 

Do the same thing in Taiwan. However here they actually practice about once a year., they close the freeway down from approx 4am to 10am and send in a few jets to have a go and demonstrate the capacity to do it. I think they usually use mirage 2000, f-16s and their own. The newspapers often have some nice shots the day after.

The Republic of China (Taiwan) Air Force regularly practice off motorways.

Wonder what the toll would be? On the M6 cars are now £4.50 and HGVs a hefty £9, so a fast jet must be at least a tenner.

Going off-thread, has anyone noticed how on new stretches of motorway/dual-carriageway the junction signs are now at 2/3 mile and 1/3 mile instead of 1 mile and 1/2 mile? Maybe I'm just being cynical but they could easily become 1 km and 1/2 km...

I was once told that the road from Elgin to Lossiemouth (the long straight section, before you turn left to go to the camp) was a standby runway for the Jag's. All the signposts are further back from the road, so maybe......

Another example of Roman forward thinking.

Who would ever of thought of a straight road. :confused:

How would a Jag stop a Bear ???

Couple of pictures of Finnish airport "parked" on actual roads.

http://www.ilmavoimat.fi/index.php?i...lleria_hn1.jpg

http://www.ilmavoimat.fi/index.php?i...lleria_hn1.jpg

Sidewinder?