RAF Nimrod / Argentine B707 encounter Falklands War ?
 

Just read an article that claims one of the RAF Nimrods (presumably operating out of Ascension Island) had an 'up close encounter) with the Argentine Air Force 707 that was used to watch the UK forces.



It says they both 'looked each other over but, since both Aircraft were unarmed they continued on their way'



Is there any truth to this and does anyone have more details ?

No details on the proximity, but I doubt it would have been eyeball to eyeball QRA style. You could see a fair distance from a Nimrod window and I would guess it was a number of miles?

AFAIK it was the catalyst for

http://www.pprune.org/aviation-histo...-nimrod-2.html

Yes, it's a true story.

We were at medium level, VMC between layers, conducting surface surveillance in support of the main TF somewhere south of ASI. While it wasn't quite a QRA style flying alongside and taking photos/waving copies of Playboy lookover the 707 (coming from the south) made a turn about 1000 feet above us, descended slightly and approached from about the 3 o'clock before making a leisurely turn in front of us and slowly disappearing from view. Probably a mile or two away at CPA.

Although we broadcast the details on HF and UHF (the HF was heard back at ASI and by forward elements of the TF further south), nothing was heard on board the main part of the TF about 50 miles away where the Harriers were (or so we were briefed) holding cockpit readiness with the aim of splashing the B707. Comms with the RN were ever thus! :sad:

Yes, it's said that it was that encounter (I believe there was another, though perhaps not so close) that led to the MR2 fleet being fitted with Sidewinder.

Very interesting and explains some background I didn't know. Action was immediately taken to fix the RN/RAF comms interoperability problem, but when the kit was delivered (very quickly, first a/c fitted in 1984) the RAF belatedly decided they didn't want it and for the next 12 years it languished unused until finally scrapped. What a ******* waste. Many tens of millions down the pan.

The problem arose again in the 90s in the Adriatic with the It***ans complaining they couldn't comminicate. But if the policy wasn't to be interoperable between UK Services, what chance was there between allies? This "no interoperability" policy was still extant in 2004, with DEC demanding its removal from any requirement, but I see in recent years it is being mentioned again, but perhaps not funded.

Here you go BGG, I believe this was taken on app into Aki.

http://www.terrane.co.uk/prodimg/ST1936_Zoom.jpg

We had BOZ and FLIR and something out the back but no winders as far as I remember.

Kokinelli -

Not a drop is sold until it's 7 hours old !!!!

Kokinelli? A faaboolus Welsh wine, isn't it?

Damn....now that is cutting edge techology.....one more reason to recall the Nimrod iddnit!

tuc,

Most of the comms faffs between MPA and the RN (and/or other navies) had little to do withkit interoperability; more to do with the Human Machine Interface!

Duncs:ok:

If you were the poor sucker in a liferaft at 30W you might not be so glib...

There are a few recorded mentions of UK forces contact with an Argentinian 707 (they had 3 at the time) during Op Corporate on the net. On 21 Apr 800 NAS sent up a sidewinder armed Sea Harrier to warn one away from the task force, on 12 May 201 Sqn made contact (as already mentioned) and on 22 May HMS Cardiff launched some Sea Dart missiles at one of the aircraft, which she evaded. They apparently didn't bother UK forces again after that.

Interesting that the RN was able to shoot down a Learjet operating above 50000 feet and out of the envelope for Sea Dart but was not able to hit this 707 despite firing several at it.

stilton, and their-in lies the difference between a MEZ and akill-zone.

To use an old set of data for the SA2. The MEZ was 40 but the kill zone was 27. In order to get a kill at 27 miles the missile had to be launched when the target entered the MEZ at 40.

If the target was non-cooperative, ie it evaded, it would remain clear of the kill zone until the missile ran out of ommph.

In the Learjet case I would opine the Learjet flew in to the kill zone in ignorance whereas the 707 was engaged when it entered the MEZ but then avoided the kill zone when it detected the missile launch.

Thanks PN that makes sense. It appears the Learjet crew thought their height would protect them, I would imagine they would still have had considerable trepidation taking a civilian Aircraft into a war zone.


It was well deserved..

The plan was for Exeter to take out two Learjets as both were in range. Sadly the first bird failed to fly, but the second did and blew the tail off the Learjet and it spirraled down like a leaf. The screams of the crew were recorded in Fearless. I've not heard it but folks I know that have all said the same thing - "Good riddance!". It was a well laid trap by COMAW. BZ

Winders on a Nimrod - ACT tactics
 

Nimrod vs 707. Can imagine long debates in the bar regarding the best tactics... single circle or two? Come on you AWIs out there.....