Speeding Ticket-Probably a myth

GZR_Sactargets · Post by **GZR_Sactargets** » 20 Nov 2007, 15:50

Got this from an internet friend.

Subject: Speeding Ticket

Not sure this is true but a neat story anyway.

Two British traffic patrol officers from North Berwick were involved in an
unusual incident, while checking for speeding motorists on the A-1 Great
North Road ...

One of the officers (who are not named) used a hand-held radar device to
check the speed of a vehicle approaching over the crest of a hill, and was
surprised when the speed was recorded at over 300mph. The machine then
stopped working and the officers were not able to reset it.

The radar had in fact latched on to a NATO Tornado fighter jet over the
North Sea , which was engaged in a low-flying exercise over the Border
district.

Back at police headquarters the chief constable fired off a stiff complaint
to the RAF Liaison office.

Back came the reply in true laconic RAF style. "Thank you for your message,
which allows us to complete the file on this incident. You may be interested
to know that the tactical computer in the Tornado had automatically locked
on to your 'hostile radar equipment' and sent a jamming signal back to it.
Furthermore, the Sidewinder Air-to-ground missiles aboard the fully-armed
aircraft had also locked on to the target. Fortunately the Dutch pilot
flying the Tornado responded to the missile status alert intelligently and
was able to override the automatic protection system before the missile was
launched".

Stewart Pearson · Post by **Stewart Pearson** » 20 Nov 2007, 17:33

Hi Marv,

The incident is indeed true. The 2 officers were from Lothian and Borders Police (Edinburgh HQ).

Although it's been reported that they "accidentally" caught the Tornado, it appears that the guys were actually just bored and got into the "I wonder how fast he's going?" mindset.

My inside sources report that both officers were carpeted after investigation revealed that they could not have just inadvertantly got the jet on their radar.

Cheers

Stew

Garysb · Post by **Garysb** » 20 Nov 2007, 18:16

Ha Ha The Tornado would have missed as the winder is an air to air heat seeker but it would have scared the S**t out of them

Thats why we have got fixed cameras
the hooligans can burn them without having to use expensive missiles

Anon

sprocky · Post by **sprocky** » 21 Nov 2007, 20:35

Has this been an exchange pilot? As far as I know The Netherlands does not own the Tornado

Keith Jones · Post by **Keith Jones** » 24 Nov 2007, 09:47

That story is an urban legend. Have a look at this site:-http://www.snopes.com/horrors/techno/radar.asp for a full explanation.

morbidfred · Post by **morbidfred** » 31 Dec 2007, 15:00

I remember reading this story in the newspaper one lunch time when it happened.
It was a long time ago but it named the people involved in the incident.

flyboy · Post by **flyboy** » 31 Dec 2007, 17:48

I tried the "Mythbuster" site with this one. Hope maybe they could try it. They confirmed its been around a long time and never happened. Been fun watching them duplicate it using a Tornado or some other low flying aircraft.

MACC · Post by **MACC** » 01 Jan 2008, 10:24

Im surprised no-one noticed that it said sidewinder A2G instead of A2A.

vegasflyboy2004 · Post by **vegasflyboy2004** » 02 Jan 2008, 17:58

It's a neat story, but the part that gets me is "Fortunately the Dutch pilot
flying the Tornado responded to the missile status alert intelligently and
was able to override the automatic protection system before the missile was
launched". I know on the F-16, and I'm sure on the Tornado it works the same way, the only automatic protection systems are the chaff and flare dispensers. You would actually have to initiate the sequence to fire a missile. I realize the RAF was probably just saying that to scare the cops, but firing a missile is not something that you can put on auto.

Firebird · Post by **Firebird** » 02 Jan 2008, 19:24

I'd agree with you there, the only air weapon that is likely to be launched automatically would be an ARM, whether its possible or not I don't know. However, SAM systems are different as at least 1xF-16 and 1xTornado were lost due to auto launch NOT being overridden in time, during the Gulf War.

GZR_Sactargets · Post by **GZR_Sactargets** » 09 Jan 2008, 14:34

**I guess it is time to send it to Snopes as a hoax.

Top this for a speeding ticket:
Two California Highway Patrol Officers were conducting speeding enforcement on I-15, North of MCAS Miramar. One of the officers was using a hand held radar device to check speeding vehicles approaching near the crest of a hill.
The officers were suddenly surprised when the radar gun began reading 300 miles per hour. The officer attempted to reset the radar gun, but it would not reset and turned off.
Just then a deafening roar over the treetops revealed that the radar had in fact locked onto a USMC F/A-18 Hornet which was engaged in a low flying exercise near the location.
Back at the CHP Headquarters the Patrol Captain fired off a complaint to the USMC Base Commander.
Back came a reply in true USMC style:
Thank you for the message, which allows us to complete the file on this incident. You may be interested to know that the tactical computer in the Hornet had detected the presence of, and subsequently locked onto your hostile radar equipment and automatically sent a jamming signal back to it. Furthermore, an air to ground missile aboard the fully armed aircraft had also automatically locked onto your equipment. Fortunately the Marine Pilot flying the Hornet recognized the situation for what it was, quickly responded to the missile system alert status and was able to override the automated defense system before the missile was launched and your hostile radar was destroyed.
Thank you for your concerns.

ricktk · Post by **ricktk** » 09 Jan 2008, 20:11

I suppose this will be their next step

Speeding Ticket-Probably a myth

Speeding Ticket-Probably a myth

Now it has been imported to the US