Jet Art Aviation has recently completed a three-year restoration of Jaguar GR.3A XX116.

The aircraft was the original ‘Black Cat’ display airframe which appeared at numerous airshows and events during the 1990s while serving with 16 (Reserve) Squadron. The aircraft gained its nickname as it was painted in an overall black scheme, while the squadron’s ‘saint’ motif was painted in yellow on the fin.

The Jaguar’s last journey with the RAF took place on 26 September 2005, when it was moved from St Athan in Wales to RAF Manston in Kent for use by the Defence Fire Training and Development Centre. It survived its time with the fire school – from which a final passing out parade was held on 22 October 2020 – largely intact, and was acquired by Jet Art Aviation and transported to the organisation’s base in North Yorkshire.

Several other Jaguar airframes contributed to the restoration of XX116 over the last few years. The ‘Black Cat’ required structural work to components of its landing gear, while its cockpit was fully overhauled. During the restoration the opportunity was also taken to return the aircraft’s rear end back to GR.1 standard, which involved changing the tail cone and the heat shields for the Adour engines. The Jaguar has since been delivered to a private collector in Suffolk.

The Jaguar was originally delivered new to the Jaguar Operational Conversion Unit, which formed the nucleus of 226 Operational Conversion Unit (OCU) on 30 September 1974. It was one of the RAF aircraft loaned to the Indian Air Force (as JI008) prior to delivery of its own examples, re-entering service with 6 Squadron upon return to the United Kingdom. The aircraft later went to 226 OCU, which became 16(R) Squadron – although still responsible for pilot training on the type – on 1 November 1991.