Official Spotting Activity

In the middle of the 20th Century, the ability to recognise different aircraft was recognised as an important skill, particularly at times of war. In the UK, for example, a Royal Observer Corps was formed and latterly (1955-1992) its members would have played an important role identifying impact sites and forecasting radiation threats in the event of a nuclear attack occurring against the United Kingdom. A total of 872 bunkers, each configured for three observers to inhabit, provided their observation network. More recently, progress towards international peace has included formalised provisions for countries to inspect each other's military aircraft and associated facilities at short notice as a security-building measure. These may include inspections of the cutting-up of once offensive aircraft and weapons. These duties are performed by paid specialists, not aircraft spotters.