Well here is my attempt at a spin-off from Jack's Protect and Survive time line.
*
I
"At its operational height the Vulcan can outfly and outmanoeuvre any fighter in squadron service today." - Air Ministry Press Release (1958).
Extract of memorandum sent from H.Q 1 Group, RAF to Vulcan Squadron Commanding Officers, late 1982.
‘Due to the deteriorating international situation it has been decided to postpone the draw-down of the remaining Vulcan squadrons assigned to this group. 9 Squadron will still stand up as a Tornado GR.1 squadron as planned, as will 617, however current Vulcan crews assigned to 9 Squadron will be retained in their current role and will renumber as No.83 Squadron. No.35 Squadron will also reform using Vulcan B.2 and B.2 (MRR) currently held in storage, with the latter being restored to bomber configuration.
‘Command has also decided that it is prudent to disperse the Vulcan fleet to more than one main base in peacetime. Therefore No.44 and No.50 Squadrons will relocate from RAF Waddington to RAF Scampton.
‘When the current reshuffle is complete the Vulcan force will comprise the following:
RAF Waddington.
35 Squadron
83 Squadron
101 Squadron
RAF Scampton.
44 Squadron
50 Squadron.
‘The Vulcan force will continue to be armed and targeted as before, though the Tornado force will supplement it over the next two years and handle targets closer to the UK Home Base and RAFG.’
*
29th January 1984, Vulcan dispersal, RAF Scampton.
UK BIKINI STATE: RED.
“Have you decided what to do with the wife and kids yet, Mike?” Flight Lieutenant Ted Tootal asked his pilot.
Squadron Leader Michael ‘Mike’ Winters considered the question for a moment before answering.
“Cath wants to take them off to her Mother’s in North Wales.” The Vulcan pilot said at last. “Not sure I see the point to be honest; you’re as safe, or otherwise, here as there. All it takes is one missile to overshoot and…”
“Yeah, I know what you mean.
“Kate wants to stay here, says she’s spent two years getting our quarters fixed up properly and the Russians are not going to chase her out of it. My brother lives in a village just outside Winchester, which should be safe enough and I’m going to try and get her to go there.”
“Good luck with that, if I know Kate…”
The two men’s conversation was suddenly and rudely interrupted by the sound of a deafening klaxon. The aircrew sitting in the ready room had already begun to move before they consciously recognised it as the alert siren.
‘This is the Bomber Controller with a message for all Vulcan squadrons in Number One Group. All crews immediately man your aircraft…repeat…’
Winters and his crew were heading out of the door heading for their aircraft – Vulcan B.2 XM594 – before the message from RAF High Wycome had finished.
The Air Electronics Officer, Flight Lieutenant Mark Jones, was the first member of the crew up the ladder. Once in his seat he began to turn on the bomber’s systems. He was followed by Winters, who started the four Rolls-Royce Olympus 202 turbojets.
The next man was the Navigator Radar, Squadron Leader Alistair Currie, followed by Tootal. The last man up the ladder was Pilot Officer John ‘Jack’ Macragge, the Navigator Plotter. He closed and secured the hatch behind him before taking his seat.
Normally by this time the Vulcan would already be taxiing from its dispersal towards the runway, in fact it would probably be lining up for a take-off before even the main hatch was secure. Instead the aircraft was holding while it waited for the ‘scramble’ message.
‘This is the Bomber Controller…’
***
*
I
"At its operational height the Vulcan can outfly and outmanoeuvre any fighter in squadron service today." - Air Ministry Press Release (1958).
Extract of memorandum sent from H.Q 1 Group, RAF to Vulcan Squadron Commanding Officers, late 1982.
‘Due to the deteriorating international situation it has been decided to postpone the draw-down of the remaining Vulcan squadrons assigned to this group. 9 Squadron will still stand up as a Tornado GR.1 squadron as planned, as will 617, however current Vulcan crews assigned to 9 Squadron will be retained in their current role and will renumber as No.83 Squadron. No.35 Squadron will also reform using Vulcan B.2 and B.2 (MRR) currently held in storage, with the latter being restored to bomber configuration.
‘Command has also decided that it is prudent to disperse the Vulcan fleet to more than one main base in peacetime. Therefore No.44 and No.50 Squadrons will relocate from RAF Waddington to RAF Scampton.
‘When the current reshuffle is complete the Vulcan force will comprise the following:
RAF Waddington.
35 Squadron
83 Squadron
101 Squadron
RAF Scampton.
44 Squadron
50 Squadron.
‘The Vulcan force will continue to be armed and targeted as before, though the Tornado force will supplement it over the next two years and handle targets closer to the UK Home Base and RAFG.’
*
29th January 1984, Vulcan dispersal, RAF Scampton.
UK BIKINI STATE: RED.
“Have you decided what to do with the wife and kids yet, Mike?” Flight Lieutenant Ted Tootal asked his pilot.
Squadron Leader Michael ‘Mike’ Winters considered the question for a moment before answering.
“Cath wants to take them off to her Mother’s in North Wales.” The Vulcan pilot said at last. “Not sure I see the point to be honest; you’re as safe, or otherwise, here as there. All it takes is one missile to overshoot and…”
“Yeah, I know what you mean.
“Kate wants to stay here, says she’s spent two years getting our quarters fixed up properly and the Russians are not going to chase her out of it. My brother lives in a village just outside Winchester, which should be safe enough and I’m going to try and get her to go there.”
“Good luck with that, if I know Kate…”
The two men’s conversation was suddenly and rudely interrupted by the sound of a deafening klaxon. The aircrew sitting in the ready room had already begun to move before they consciously recognised it as the alert siren.
‘This is the Bomber Controller with a message for all Vulcan squadrons in Number One Group. All crews immediately man your aircraft…repeat…’
Winters and his crew were heading out of the door heading for their aircraft – Vulcan B.2 XM594 – before the message from RAF High Wycome had finished.
The Air Electronics Officer, Flight Lieutenant Mark Jones, was the first member of the crew up the ladder. Once in his seat he began to turn on the bomber’s systems. He was followed by Winters, who started the four Rolls-Royce Olympus 202 turbojets.
The next man was the Navigator Radar, Squadron Leader Alistair Currie, followed by Tootal. The last man up the ladder was Pilot Officer John ‘Jack’ Macragge, the Navigator Plotter. He closed and secured the hatch behind him before taking his seat.
Normally by this time the Vulcan would already be taxiing from its dispersal towards the runway, in fact it would probably be lining up for a take-off before even the main hatch was secure. Instead the aircraft was holding while it waited for the ‘scramble’ message.
‘This is the Bomber Controller…’
***
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Considering this is late January it's looking like we're in the middle of a readiness test at the moment, though obviously the crew won't know that until they're stood down - given the tensions even at this point, I'll imagine it's nerve-racking, especially given that the crew have families to consider...
