February 13, 2005 at 10:49 pm

March 12, 2005 will see two of Coltishall’s Jaguar squadrons (16 & 54) disband. As a tribute to the Jaguar I’ve posted the first of what I hope will be many photos. As for whether the Jaguar should be in the historic Aviation forum, I’ll leave that up to you to decide. (prototype ff 1969).
This shot was taken way back in 1986 at Old Warden, sorry about the quality. From what I understand the the RAF will cease to operate the Jaguar sometime in 2007. So make the most of them, it will be highly unlikely they will ever be operated as a Jet Warbird.
Septic.
By: kodak - 18th February 2005 at 14:28
I think she is still in service as a GR3A with 54 sqn
Sure is !!! First flew 5 November 1973!!
By: RobAnt - 18th February 2005 at 14:00
Flew the Jag sim at Lossie, back in the mid-70’s. 😀
Don’t tell anyone though. 😮 I was a Telepop.
(And frankly, “flew” is stretching it a bit, I was allowed to sit in the cockpit and wiggle the stick around so they could calibrate it. With full motion on, sure did feel like flying to me, though. No side view, just a monitor in the nose window!)
By: phantom2430uk - 18th February 2005 at 10:58
I think she is still in service as a GR3A with 54 sqn
By: Septic - 18th February 2005 at 10:37
Thanks for the info Kodak,
Would XX119/01 still be in service ?
Septic.
By: Manonthefence - 18th February 2005 at 10:07
Flypast Magazine defines Historic as 1960’s or before I think.
Not sure what the forum rules are, common sense most likely.
By: kodak - 18th February 2005 at 08:49
XX119/01 was the ’86 solo display Jaguar from 2sqn of 226 OCU, the pilot TBA unless they want to make themselves known here!?. Even if the wheels touched, the Jag was designed from the outset to be capable of STOL from rough strips. Late 70s/early 80s Farnboroughs featured a Jag operating from the grass but it still looks very impressive.
2005 will see the last display season by a RAF Jaguar so enjoy!
The French will retire their final few from 7wing this year, replaced by the Rafale. The Indians still have a few hundred in service and the Omani aircraft have recently been upgraded.
Someone mentioned a Tomcat thread – next year that will be a historic (i.e. out of service) aircraft so it should be welcomed here! Or does historic mean “must have a prop”!!??
By: Septic - 17th February 2005 at 22:52
I remember a picture in one of the magazines (Aircraft Illustrated, IIRC) in the late ’70s of the DAS Varsity (WJ945 / G-BEDV) doing a touch-and-go at Old Warden. And of course that was before the runway was extended to its present length. 😮
The DAS Varsity continued to fly at OW into the early 80’s, I can well remember seeing it touch and go but this was the only shot of it I could find, dead stick landing methinks!
Septic.
By: Septic - 15th February 2005 at 23:07
I’m not sure, I’ll have a look through my old photos/programmes to see if I can find out.
Septic.
By: benyboy - 15th February 2005 at 23:05
Septic. I was just wondering if this was a one off or if this was the display aircraft used for more than one season.
By: Septic - 15th February 2005 at 22:54
That is one stunning image though. Quite aside from the picture quality (which really isn’t that bad, IMO), that’s one big, fast aeroplane, coming in to touch pretty much on the numbers, on what was then a VERY short grass strip, with quite a crosswind too. Very nice bit of flying, whoever it was. 🙂
Glad you like the shot Steve,
I just wish I had a better camera and lens back then, I seem to remember I had a Olympus OM 10, with manual adapter for the shutter, coupled to a Hanimex 80-200 + 2 converter, hence all the grain.
Septic.
By: Septic - 15th February 2005 at 22:49
[QUOTE=benyboy]At least I think so. This picture is from a collection of shuttleworth pics I recently bought. If this is taken at the same event I could now have a date for my pics
benboy, the Jaguar photo was taken at the 1986 Military display, it shouldn’t be too hard to find out the exact date. Shuttleworth must keep a record of past events.
Septic.
By: benyboy - 15th February 2005 at 17:41
And climbing back out…
At least I think so. This picture is from a collection of shuttleworth pics I recently bought. If this is taken at the same event I could now have a date for my pics
By: vulcan558 - 15th February 2005 at 17:15
Does anybody have a pic of a Jag doing a touch & go at swanton morley in the early 90s
By: Arabella-Cox - 15th February 2005 at 16:38
No wonder the runway’s a tad bumpy… 😉
I’m wondering whether that particular Jag mate might actually be at OW in an official capacity these days…? (which I think might also be what MotF is getting at. 😉 )
That is one stunning image though. Quite aside from the picture quality (which really isn’t that bad, IMO), that’s one big, fast aeroplane, coming in to touch pretty much on the numbers, on what was then a VERY short grass strip, with quite a crosswind too. Very nice bit of flying, whoever it was. 🙂
By: Dave T - 14th February 2005 at 09:13
Maybe we could talk about the new big Airbus ?
Or the latest Eurofighter movements ?
Or what upgrades are available for old Migs ? :rolleyes:
By: DGH - 14th February 2005 at 08:48
No, lets have a Harrier thread…! 😉
Er, please lets not. 🙂
If this Jaguar did in deed touch what other jets other than the Harrier have touched the soil at Old Warden?
By: Manonthefence - 14th February 2005 at 08:48
I wonder who the pilot was?
By: Dave T - 14th February 2005 at 07:55
No, lets have a Harrier thread…! 😉
By: Septic - 13th February 2005 at 23:11
😮 😮 😮 😮 😮 😮 😮 😮 😮
What about a Grumman Tomcat thread. 😀
Septic
By: Septic - 13th February 2005 at 23:08
DB, I seem to remember the Jag just touching, but its almost 20 years ago now and my memory isn’t quite what it was.
Does anyone know when the French Air Force are due to retire their Jaguars, atleast they may soldier on a while longer with the Indian Airforce.
Septic.