Jaguar landing on M55 April 1975 - 50 years ago

[i6720]

Came across this on the BBC website of Jaguar XX109, landing on the M55 before it opened.
Frame now resides at Norwich airport museum

https://www.bbc.com/news/videos/cgkg0xnvn11o

Archive video footage of a military jet coming in to land on a newly built Lancashire motorway before later taking off again has been released after half a century.

Test pilot Tim Ferguson used the M55 as a makeshift runway on 26 April 1975 to prove his Jaguar aircraft - loaded with four missiles - could successfully land on a road and take off from one.

People gathered nearby and watched in astonishment as the test pilot for the British Aircraft Corporation - which later became British Aerospace plc - completed his flying visit from Warton Aerodrome to the recently constructed motorway stretch at Weeton, near Blackpool."

The M55 officially opened - to regular motorists - a few weeks later

[H.A.Bucken]

I remember the pictures in the Lancashire Evening Post.
Bit of a "carrier landing" there.
Roger

[Snoop 95]

So he proved that the Jag could land and take-off on a public road. Did they ever subsequently do that whilst in service with the RAF?

[Vulcanone]

So he proved that the Jag could land and take-off on a public road. Did they ever subsequently do that whilst in service with the RAF?

Yes, Landing and Taking off from an unopened stretch of Autobahn, in the then West Germany in March 1984 IIRC

[T_J]

So he proved that the Jag could land and take-off on a public road. Did they ever subsequently do that whilst in service with the RAF?

In 1977, four Royal Air Force (RAF) Jaguars from No. 31 Squadron in West Germany operated from a section of the newly constructed autobahn between Bremen and Bremerhaven. This was part of a demonstration of the aircraft's capability to operate from dispersed, semi-prepared sites, including roads, in wartime. The operation also included other NATO aircraft. This demonstration was part of broader plans to ensure that the RAF's fighter jets could continue operating even if their primary airbases were damaged.

From

https://www.britmodeller.com/forums/ind ... -the-news/

[T_J]

From 1984. Sadly the media is currently not available. RAF Jaguars using an autobahn.

Description
Object description
Unedited films of NATO aircraft taking part in an exercise where an autobahn is used as a runway.
Full description
I. The Neubauamt Oldenburg autobahn being used for a NATO exercise. RAF Tornados take off. Luftwaffe Alpha Jet, F4 Phantom, Freedom Fighter and Tornado wait on ground prior to take off. RAF Jaguar a US Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt and F15 Eagle take off . Dutch F16 Fighting Falcons taxi and take off. US Hercules lands and unloads two vehicles.
Full description
II. British, West German, Dutch and US aircraft using an autobahn as a runway. RAF Jaguars and Dutch F16s taxi and take off. Luftwaffe Tornados take off as US Air Force A-10 Thunderbolts come in to land. The A-10s are inspected by ground crew.


https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item ... 1060024672

[T_J]

3:23 and 6:36 RAF Jaguars using the Autobahn, 1984 in following video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cYpbI9Myrb0

[Snoop 95]

That's interesting and thanks for finding it. Certainly proves the point that operations can be carried out from motorway-type roads, but I was a little puzzled that the first frame showed a curved section, which might well prove a little tricky for military aircraft operations!

[Hurn]

Clips of this have been on Youtube for years, mainly from the other side of the motorway.

People just casually standing near the road as it takes off again too.

[T_J]

That's interesting and thanks for finding it. Certainly proves the point that operations can be carried out from motorway-type roads, but I was a little puzzled that the first frame showed a curved section, which might well prove a little tricky for military aircraft operations!

No problem. Thanks.