and another question...

[ralphkern]

The Air Surveillance and Control Systems (ASACS) is what governs the UK Air Defense picture. I would struggle to envision a scenario where an incursion has happened and the RAF doesn't go for a look-see ASAP, especially in the post 9/11 world.

The RAF regiment would likely be involved in the securing of a downed aircraft (that they would presumably merely view as an intruder at that stage and probably not consider it as alien). They are well trained in the subject as there are other considerations beyond what you would necessarily think, for example toxic substances, explosives and flammable stuff.

They would probably operate in conjunction with search and rescue (SAR).

Bottom-line if they thought it was a downed civilian aircraft they would not just be obligated but WANT to find it ASAP (say they thought it was a light aircraft that has crashed) for simple welfare reasons... someone might be hurt in there!

If a downed 'enemy' aircraft, just as much so, but with a more military thrust.

If alien, who knows, but I would suggest that they would model recovery on the same mission template as they would a downed 'enemy' aircraft.

The resources they would call on. Over-flights from military (UAV and conventional) and SAR aircraft, air ambulances and police helicopters. Satellites, foot searches.

 

[Jo Zebedee]

That's really helpful, thanks Ralph. I have about a 12 hour window between it coming down and being found, and then about another six hours before the site is closed down. I can play around with that a little, for instance I could have the military arriving when the protagonist first finds the craft (which might help with pacing, actually) and push the crash back to nearer twilight, but it would still be at least 8 hours.

If they're searching over a wide expanse, and the ship had no transponder, would that be conceivable?

 

[paranoid marvin]

Depends how long it's on radar for. Unless the armed forces are actively looking for a UFO, it's unlikely that they'll spot it unless it flies into prohibited airspace. So it 's more likely to appear on civilian radar - if it's only a brief blip then likely it'll be seen as an anomaly (esp if there is no air traffic in the area) and ignored. Armed forces will take quite some time to get involved; they certainly won't be sent on a wild goose chase unless there's a very good reason.

What's likely to happen is this - the spacecraft lands, is spotted by local residents. They'll call out the police, and unless there's very good evidence it'll be written off as a trick of the light/imagination. It's likely that a PC or helicopter may be sent to have a quick scout around, but the police are too busy to spend much time looking for a downed UFO.

Personally I would have the ship NOT appear on radar - negating any need to worry about that. If you must get the armed forces involved then have the spacecraft seen by a policeman, meaning that it will be taken seriously. What would happen next is that police helicopters would go looking for the landing sight; once it had been found, the army would taken over. That buys quite a bit of time.

The UFO hunters could have some sort of tracking device - could be that they have a radio receiver tuned into a frequency (perhaps outside the usual range) that picks up alien 'chatter' - not only picks it up but can be used as a kind of metal detector - the closer they get, the clearer the signal.

Probably best to have it happen at night when it's tougher to get visual confirmation.

 

[Jo Zebedee]

I'm feeling in the enviable position of do-what-suits-the-story-best. which is lovely. Thanks all!