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                               BOMBER INTERCEPTION

1.   The primary role of Fighter aircraft is to shoot down enemy bombers. As
speeds and operating heights of the target increase so the task of the defending
fighter becomes more difficult.

2.   As the bomber's speed increases so we have less time in which to re-act.
As its height increases so we need more time in order to reach its altitude and
our flying skill has to be that much bettor to ensure that we get a kill.

3.   One thing is certain. If ever we are called upon to fulfill our role
there will be no time for delay, no opportunity to consider the problems. Our
procedures will have to be slick and faultless. We must know whore we're going
and how we're going to tackle the problem, and we must know these things today.

The Problems Involved.

4.   The two major problems to be faced are:-

     (a)  Interception must take place as far from the U.K. coastlines as
      possible.

     (b)  We must destroy an armed bomber flying at an altitude where we,
     the attackers are presenting the easiest gunnery target to it - namely
     a small or nil deflection shot at a slow overtake speed.

Rapid Reaction Time.

5.   To enable us to get airborne quickly O.R.P. procedure is used, There are
many ways to operate to and from an O.R.P.   The one listed below is the Standard
Operational Procedure and should be adhered to to minimise confusion and the
inherent risks involved in rapid take-offs.

     (a) Aircraft taxy to the O.R.P. using the pilot's personal ident. letter.

     (b) Aircraft carry out a full check of take-off vital actions whilst
     taxying and do a brake holding check before entering the O.R.P.

     (c) Line up on the O.R.P. commences from the downwind end, Aircraft
     Charlie filling the first slot; Aircraft Delta the second, etc.
     This minimises slipstream damage on scrambling, each aircraft turning
     away from other aircraft on the O.R.P.

     (d) Once telescramble is plugged in aircraft check in with Wing Ops.
     giving their exact state of readiness,	e.g. "JEVER OPS, THIS IS
     GREEN CHARLIE AT STANDBY ENGINE RUNNING".

     (e)  If told to shut down all non-essential electrical services should
     be switched "OFF" (In HUNTERS Battery Master "OFF" will do this).

     (f) Scramble instructions, when given, are of a standard message form
     as follows:-

     Chief Controller:-  "JEVER, ALERT TWO HUNTERS".
     Jever Operations Officer allocates: - "GREEN CHARLIE, DELTA".
     Chief Controller - "MISSION 81; VECTOR 060; MAKE MAXIMUM ANGELS;
     CALL 'CARLOCK' ON CHANNEL 'ECHO'; MISSION 81 - SCRAMBLE'.
     Mission 81 acknowledges: - "MISSION 81 ROGER".

     Standardizing the message enables the pilot to write down the main headings
     of a scramble order, Mission No.: Vector: etc. beforehand, so that only the
     actual figures are left to note down when the scramble is given. Wait until
     the end of the order before starting engines otherwise the noise of starter
     exhaust may blot out parts of the message.
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