Referencing Bob Kendig, here is some background onFertile80, Bob's call sign when he was running intercepts. (Submitted by CMSgt (Ret) Dick Lewis,
photo's from the Steve Shipton collection)
The voice intercepts went "MG10 flight, Fertile80,
radar contact, squawk mode 3, 4210, vector 050, angles 40, mach point 93, check weapons
safe" from the IND, but the Data Link controlled intercepts were long periods of SILENCE broken by these few transmissions ...
PILOT: Contact@Rng / Brng,
IND: Your target,
PILOT: Judy (radar lock on),
PILOT: Splash (Armt launched).........Not much voice to hear during Data
Link setups.
Which brings us to the pilot scope displays during an intercept that. The
scope displays below show a Data Link Controlled Intercept
event sequence.
1. The D/L TGT CIRCLE is positioned automatically by Data Link from SAGE and
shows the estimated range and azimuth angle of the target relative to the interceptor. The target appears inside the D/L Circle as the B-SWEEP paints
across it.
2. The pilot uses his hand control to "spotlight" the target for Max return
strength while positioning the Range Gate over it. The left side of the pilot's stick is moved left & right to control the Radar Antenna in azimuth.
Elevation angle is controlled by a thumbwheel. Range Gate position is controlled by forward & backward movement. A tricky business.
3. When the Range Gate and Target are in coincidence, Radar LOCKON is
achieved. Automatic Radar range and positional tracking is established and
the ATTACK DISPLAY is presented on the pilot's scope.
4. JUDY is the "Lock on Achieved" pilot call. The D/L TGT CIRCLE dims and
disappears and a large RANGE / TIME CIRCLE with a STEERING CIRCLE and STEERING
DOT appears.
5. The pilot's ATTACK DISPLAY. A gap in the Range / Time Circle indicates
the RANGE RATE or Overtake Speed. The ELMARK on the right side shows altitude differential of the target. Artificial Horizon shows interceptor
attitude.
6. The Range / Time Circle shrinks in size as the Weapons System prepares
the armament for launch. Pilot strives to center the steering dot with wings
near level just prior to the fire signal. Pilot's trigger must be depressed
to launch live armament. SPLASH is the pilot's call as he breaks away.
7. The large X marks the Fire Signal. The X display element quickly turns
into the 8 BALL ... a large figure eight which is the PULLOUT WARNING signal.
