The dangers of radar speed traps

[SteveH]

I read this on another site and cannot vouch for the authenticity, but it seems to me to have a ring of truth. Or maybe I just want to believe it...
Two British traffic patrol officers from North Berwick were involved in an unusual incident while checking for speeding motorists on the A1 Great North Road. One of the officers 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 300 mph. Their radar suddenly stopped working and the officers were not able to reset it.

Just then a deafening roar over the treetops revealed that the radar had in fact latched on to a NATO Tornado fighter jet which was engaged in a low-flying exercise over the Border district, approaching from the North Sea.

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 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 pilot flying the Tornado recognized the situation for what it was, quickly responded to the missile systems alert status, and was able to override the automated defence system before the missile was launched and your hostile radar installation was destroyed.

Good Day..."

An ex- policeman commented

We know exactly what those two officers where up to with their handheld.......

"Oh...I wonder if it can register the speed of that Jet coming towards us....????"

Naughty boys.....

[Gromit]

It was actually a Harrier in N Wales

[Boxered]

It was actually a Harrier in N Wales

Please please don't tell me it was Brunstrom, and they missed the opportunity

Steve

[SteveH]

It was actually a Harrier in N Wales

Seems like you have some background knowledge of this one, Gromit....or is this a leg-pull?

[Man-of-Mystery]

Well-known urban myth.

M-o-M

[Gromit]

Well-known urban myth.

M-o-M

It's not actually - trust me.

[Man-of-Mystery]

It's not that I don't trust you, it's just that it has been well-discussed on "urban myth" TV shows. The story has been told everywhere from Alaska to New Zealand, and in fact is not possible, for a whole number of sound scientific reasons.

As urban myths go it's a damn good one!

Funnily enough, when I lived in Shropshire I was nearly knocked off the bike by low-flying helicopters from RAF Shawbury...

One time I was going along the minor road which runs along the escarpment of Wenlock Edge, when a Westland decided to do a 180 degree turn overhead. The downdraught sent me right across the road, towards a barbed-wire fence. As I felt the devil bite my arse, I remember thinking "My insurers will never believe this !"

M-o-M