Jaguar Farewell

[OC 6 Sqn]

JAGUAR FAREWELL


Today I announced to the members of 6 Squadron that the Jaguar OSD is to be brought forward to 30 Apr 07. All operationally orientated training will cease on this date and the Jaguar will no longer be a deployable Force Element. Delivery of the airframes to Cosford will then commence and I have been instructed that any ceremonial flying must be concluded during May.

Naturally, this comes as a great disappointment to all members of the Jaguar Force. I do not consider it feasible to organise an event to celebrate 33 years of stalwart service with due gravity with only 5 weeks notice. I am also conscious that such short notice would compromise attendance.

I have therefore elected to organise the final Jaguar Farewell for the weekend of 29 Jun – 1 Jul 07, reluctantly accepting that this will be without the nostalgia of RAF Jaguar flying.

Despite the short notice, I am determined to do justice to an aircraft that has enjoyed, uniquely, such long and extensive RAF service and a Force that has long been characterised by its easy camaraderie but indomitable spirit.

A programme of events is therefore already shaping up that will allow all current and ex-Jaguar RAF personnel to celebrate their association and affection for this remarkable aircraft and the ethos that has come to surround it. The Jaguar Force only relocated to RAF Coningsby in April 06 and the weekend of 29 Jun – 1 Jul will also provide an opportunity to formally thank the families of the current Jag Force for their steadfast support and loyal endurance of the associated domestic turbulence.

An aircraft enthusiasts’ day on Fri 29 Jun will be based around invitations to all RAF ex-Jaguar squadrons to fly their current types into RAF Coningsby; invitations are also being extended to the French AF and representation sought from friendly international operators of the Jaguar, such as Oman and India, and those nations that have contributed exchange pilots. As is traditional, Happy Hour will be held in the Officers’ Mess.

On Sat 30 Jun, the Squadron accommodation will be open and there will be an opportunity to view the last 2 remaining RAF Jaguars and the visiting aircraft, while also enjoying a number of flying displays. The main event will be the ‘End of Jaguar Ball’ in the evening; it is hoped that all 3 messes will hold functions so that all ranks can participate equally.

The short notice is most regrettable and will undoubtedly inconvenience many, but this is due to circumstances beyond our control and, for perspective, I would ask that a thought is spared for the immediate uncertainty that now faces the current Force.

Despite the short notice, I am confident that many will take this last opportunity to celebrate their membership of such an exclusive cadre and I encourage all to book early to avoid disappointment as Mess capacity will inevitably limit numbers. Early notice will also ease substantially the administrative burden of this venture! Therefore, any serving and ex-serving Jaguar personnel who may like to attend any or all of the proposed celebrations should forward their contact details to 6 Sqn as follows:

Jaguar Retirement Celebrations
6 Sqn
RAF Coningsby
Lincolnshire
LN4 4SY

External email: [email protected]

Internal email: CON-6Sqn-JagRet Grp Mail

Tel - 01526 34 6496
Fax - 01526 346499

Initial contact details must be received by 31 May to enable event details to be dispatched and final payment to be received by 15 Jun. The Officers’ Mess Ball will cost £45 for each ex-Jaguar officer and the same price levied for the first guest; additional guests will be subject to approval and will attract a higher fee. Please consider sending any attendance money along with your initial contact details as this will further streamline the process at a time when our main effort is, clearly, to secure the future of our serving personnel.

Finally, please forward these details to any other ex-Jaguar personnel that you are still in contact with to enable maximum attendance. I look forward to seeing you at what should be a memorable, if slightly sad, weekend of celebrations.

John Sullivan
OC6

[c130jbloke]

Best of luck with your endeavour, make it a night to remember....

:O :O :O

[valient]

We all guessed/knew it was coming, but 1 week's notice to stop flying that's completely out of order :uhoh: !!

The jet has done 30+ years of great service and this is not the way that it should bow out. Not only that, but to uproot 6 Sqn and move them to Coningsby for only 1 year - what was the point?

Well done your air-ships - another bad decision badly handled!! :D

[tonyosborne]

Words cannot describe how I feel about that, hopefully we can give the old girl a real goodbye, thanks for keeping us all informed John...

[TheWizard]

Another one bites the dust. Sad to see another classic aircraft disappearing from the front line.
The re-union should be some event, however, remember:
"Don't bend down, when a ......." etc etc ;)

[The Helpful Stacker]

A sad day and although one we all knew was coming a little sudden nonetheless.

I managed to get a flight in a T2 many moons ago when I was an air cadet and throughly enjoyed it and although in my service career I've never worked with them most people I've met who work/worked with the Jag seem to have a soft spot for it that working with other types doesn't match.:ok:

I hope all goes well with the Jag farewell.

PS, Any chance of popping to Odious on a farewell tour a'la the Canberra PR9?

[NutLoose]

It's just a pity that there is not one big bash, instead of the RAF tradition of having individual mess do's as per normal.


A missed opportunity for everyone to come together both serving and ex RAF under one roof over a beer to toast a farewell to one of the RAF's underpowered finest. :)

Perhaps you should hold a Raffle for one of them? :hmm:

[Tim McLelland]

It's almost a double tragedy as it also means that 6 Squadron's uninterrupted service history will finally come to and end.

Shabby business indeed, particularly when it probably won't save so much as a penny, but it'll look good on some faceless pen-pusher's resume...

[Razor61]

And as someone put it on another forum, the MoD is now leasing it's third Hunter while they are saying farewell to the Jaguar.... :ugh:

[OCCWMF]

If you want to see the cats today they'll (x4) be landing at Yeovilton this morning after working on Salisbury plain and at Lossie this arvo.:{ :{ :{ :{ :{ :{ :{ :{ :{ :{ :{ :{ :{ :{ :{

[stiknruda]

Very sad news indeed, John. I had the pleasure of T4 flying with you upon your return from skiing only a few weeks ago.

Regards


Stik

[jindabyne]

Couldn't ex-Jaguar CDS intervene?

[Tarnished]

Nothing to do with Estate Agents working on behalf of 11 Sqn looking for accommodation is it?

[Gainesy]

It's a shame that John can't tell us what he really thinks, but I can guess.
Just how much life is there left in the Jags, both 6's and those of 41 and 54 in storage? What price the engine upgrades, the Gucci targeting and recce add-ons? Not to mention the costs of moving to Coningsby.

Oh, and OC 11 has stated that they will not be CAS capable until 1 July 2008.

Barking bloody mad.:mad:

[JagRigger]

Asking about remaining life is pointless without spares and support backup. The writing was on the wall as soon as the French stopped flying theirs and we lost 2nd line.

The last jet I cleared from 2nd line was still comparatively young in terms of airframe hours/FI, but that still only clears you to a finite life without in depth maintenance.

[Flame Out]

Very sad indeed, two have just flown over the house in Lymington 11:55, maybe the last time I'll see them airbourne:sad:

[Ali Barber]

I hope that what is supposed to be "personnel management" were aware of this or there's going to be a few Jag pilots and groundcrew on gardening leave!

[Kitbag]

Further to Ali Barbers post, does this mean that there will be 16 seats available on the Typhoon OCU to cope with this 'unexpected' surge of pilots. If not guess the airlines will be welcoming. And don't get me started on the disruption to the families!

Wouldn't it have been so much cleaner to maintain Coltishall for a few more months?

Lack of honesty, intellectual rigour, honour and forethought by our leaders is an expected part of life now. Maybe thats why I don't trust them anymore.

[UnderPowered]

I don't know what to make of the fact that, as of 1242L, the news doesn't appear on the MOD or the RAF websites. Or the BBC etc.

You're a good man, JS. I feel very sorry that you're losing your Squadron. Its a good strong unit.

[antipodean alligator]

Sir,

Best of luck upon the retirement of the Shaguar...a sad time indeed.

Is the RAF really that broke that it had to bring the date forward with such short notice? Is 6 staying alive as a SQN or have their airships gaffed that off too?

[WolvoWill]

Will be sad to see the Jag go - always been a favourite of mine since childhood. Whats next for the flying canopeners, Typhoons? :)

[fantaman]

Speechless and stunned.

We all knew the end was nigh for the cat but this is far too soon. Isn’t it only a month or so since the last Jaguar pilot passed through the OCU? Buffoonery at its best.

A sad day for all the guys and gals working on the jag. Good luck and please can we have an airfield tour before the curtain is drawn for a final time. Just make sure you include the SHF bases down South :ok:

[Inspector Dreyfuss]

Very sorry to hear that the Jags have been given the axe prematurely. I am sure that they would have been very effective for a tour overseas in place of the Harriers at the moment.
Above all, the Jag Force IMHO contained a higher proportion of gentlemen and all round good blokes than any other fast jet platform in the RAF. Top operators and great company to boot.

[newt]

Watch the News tonight guys. I have it on good authority that the media has only just found out about this and is on its way to Coningsby to find out what is going on!!

Does anyone believe that axing the Jaguar early is going to smooth the intro of Typhoon? Those in the "head shed" have once again allowed the "bean stealers" to run the show!!

Time for my afternoon siesta before my blood pressure reaches the critical stage!!!

[fantaman]

I wonder who could have pinged an email their way :oh: and maybe to a few other places :hmm:

[Cyprus Manoeuvre]

As a former Tanker W****r, my I say that it was always a real pleasure to work with all in the Jag force. Totally professional and immense fun to be on trail or detachment with. Very best wishes to you all.

[FFP]

I am sure that they would have been very effective for a tour overseas in place of the Harriers at the moment
Hmm. Not sure I'd agree on that one, esp as the summer's coming. Hot, High and Jaguar aren't words that go together IMO.
But anyway, not the point of my post. Flew with 6 Sqn a while back and found them to be fantastic. Great Sqn atmosphere and all thoroughly professional. The Jag is a great aircraft and it'll be sorely missed. The "Jag Force" were a pleasure to work with on all fronts.
Enjoy the send-off. Am sure it'll be a good one :ok:

[Nozzlefaff]

Sad news indeed.

Does anyone know the grounds for such an abrupt end to jag?

[Stratofreighter]

See
http://tinyurl.com/2kssxu
for a BBC video report. No, I canNOT vouch for its' accuracy. "Famous RAF fighters being retired like the Thunderbolt and the Lightning"???

[engoal]

Regarding how it was announced, there was a mealy-mouthed IBN released yesterday which included a final line about the fact that, "£1M in savings will be achieved through this move." I could have saved them £1M with more finesse than that, and there wouldn't be 100+ stunned Jag mates wandering around Conz this morning. Pathetic and symptomatic of what happens when you leave AVM Melchett in charge of 1 Gp. Jags - best years of my life and certainly the best flying!

[ZH875]

Sad news indeed.

Does anyone know the grounds for such an abrupt end to jag?££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££

What an ablsolute :mad: disgrace.

[ragpacker]

Sad news indeed. Was at Colt 76 - 81 (Bluntie) and had the pleasure of working on all three Sqn's - though mainly 6. Great times, great blokes - air and ground alike. What a cr*p way to go.

[Jackonicko]

AOC 1 Group ought to hang his head in shame.

Why the heck didn't he have the decency to go and make the announcement himself?

Ane yet another capability holiday.....

And aren't blokes like Bob Viking and his colleagues EXACTLY the sort of high calibre operators, with EXACTLY the experience and skill sets we need? Wasn't the Jag a cheap way of keepin them current til a Typhoon OCU slot was available.

[Jackonicko]

and to save a paltry £1 m?

In 1990 they said:

"Mr. O'Neill : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the current average annual running costs of (a) a Buccaneer strike/attack squadron, (b) a Jaguar offensive support squadron, (c) a Nimrod maritime patrol squadron and (d) a Tornado F3 air defence squadron.

Mr. Archie Hamilton : The approximate annual running cost of a Buccaneer strike/attack squadron is £33.74 million ; for a Jaguar offensive support squadron £30.63 million ; for a Nimrod maritime patrol squadron £35.33 million ; and for a Tornado F3 air defence squadron £49.76 million."

If the savings aren't close to £15 m (adjusted for 17 years of inflation) then this will look even shabbier.

[Mr C Hinecap]

I don't think keeping a non-combatant aircraft flying (and not just in the UK) is a cheap way to do anything really. There is no way the airships could defend or justify such an expense (because that is what it is to the beancounters - like it or not) with all that is happening. This has to have been sat in 'the back pocket' for any talk of financial trimmings in town and pulled out when needed. Still a poor way of dealing with it.
I hope happy hr at Coningsby is a big one on Friday.

[Phochs3]

Surely a decison would have been made about this months ago-why wait until 3 working days to go to announce it?
What excellent man management.

What a great jet, and a sad loss.

[Spon Clayton]

Hey JS. I've got 100 Hrs in Jags-can I come?? I still recall our DA4 flight with a giggle. Whats next for you? PM me. spo.

[360BakTrak]

If any of you Jag boy's are down Gloucester way this week how about a cheeky flypast? The natives would love it!:ok:

[Zoom]

Pretty shabby to do it with such short notice. But look at it this way: back in 1974, would you have put any money on this aircraft still being in service in 33 years' time? They have done very well indeed, against the odds, and despite a lot of grumbling from other mud-moving outfits and operators - like mine and me.

[Kitbag]

Mr C H, I suspect the Jag guys would disagree strongly with your phrase 'non-combatant aircraft', Jag is retired from Operational Flying at the end of the month, till then it is operational. So how would you maintain the skill set of the 16 or so highly capable single seat mud moving and recce specialists? Perhaps a trip in a sim every now and again?
Not only shabby but I suspect wholly dishonest with the claim of a paltry £1m saving over 6 months. Still got to pay pilots, groundcrew/support staff. Still got to get the guys in the air to maintain some degree of currency, Coningsby real estate still has to be paid for, what spares there are for the aircraft will still have to be paid for, how much will that cost?:ugh:
Cost of everything, value of nothing

[Jackonicko]

I don't know what you fly, Chinecap, but whatever it is, it's a given that the Jag that you snipe at has a better JRP integration than your jet, a better TIALD capability, and I can be pretty sure that unlike the Jagmates you won't have EFRCs and ETAPs in your cockpit.

And if you're a Harrier mate, they have a better strafe capability than you have, they have an HMS and a higher off boresight defensive AAM capability, they are somewhat quicker at low level, and they could teach you something about serviceability, logistics footprint, rapid deployment capability, etc. etc.

GR.Mk 4 mates can pick some of the same 'missing items' from the list.

OK, they do struggle, hot and high, and the payload is tiny, but these jets have proved their operational utility and worth over the Balkans and on Northern Watch.

These jets were non-combatant only because giving them something obviously useful to do would have served to highlight and underline what a useful asset they still are - quite apart from being a bloody good way of keeping some of the RAF's finest current in a demanding cockpit and a useful role until the Typhoon austere air to ground capability comes along.

[Mr C Hinecap]

Jacko - I am but a humble logistician interloper here who has never had a desire to fly. I was merely voicing the fact that the Jag has not flown on ops for some time and, as such, will be seen as a cost not worth paying (in cold hard fiscal terms - nothing else meant here). The MoD is procuring more equipment with less and has political pressures to stop boys and girls getting injured and killed at the current front line. Jaguar added nothing to this, and was not going to. It had to go. I agree - the method was V shabby.

OK, they do struggle, hot and high, and the payload is tiny, but these jets have proved their operational utility and worth over the Balkans and on Northern Watch.

Not a lot of use for current or potential future ops and yes - they did prove operational utility - over Eastern Europe.

I have no axe to grind with any platform. I also know nothing of maintaining currency of aircrew, but I can't see how maintaining a discreet aircraft that is not being used in any other role can be a viable method - in this day and age. I'm not being harsh here - just highlighting why I think these decisions are being made - it is a cold harsh unemotional world we're in these days.

[Archimedes]

CH - I thought they rather proved operational capability somewhere hot and sandy some 16 years ago, a short while before anyone thought of saying 'This Yugoslavia business is all a bit of a sham, let's declare independence'...

[Mr C Hinecap]

Fair point - well presented.

Why no show this time around then? Genuine question from the cheap seats.

[Jackonicko]

If you can't see the relevance of a single-seat multi-role platform, with a proven LDP capability, a well integrated recce pod and mission planner, with a helmet sight, ETAPS and EFRCs, then I can't help you.

Perhaps the Jagmates will be better placed for Typhoon by posting them to makeweight ground tours or instructing on the Tucano or on the UASs?

Why no show this time?

Because as soon as the Jaguar is used, it is obviously, publicly useful, thereby making its withdrawal without immediate replacement much more difficult to justify.

Had the Jags just come back from Kandahar, just imagine how much more fuss would there have been. There would have been no place for ill-informed pundits to make stupid remarks about aircraft not being useful.....

And this useless non-combatant jet had exactly the strafe capability that force commanders in Afghanistan have been demanding (the CAS capability that can "stop boys and girls getting injured and killed at the current front line" if you like), and which the Harrier cannot provide.

[Ali Barber]

Are their weapons being thrown away or handed on to other types that are not operational/declared yet? If they are being thrown away, that involves a cost of destruction versus a benefit in training value of dropping them on a range. All they're saving is the fuel burn for 6 months. Counteract that with the pay wasted on guys who (presumably) have posting notices elsewhere in 6 months time and now have nothing to do. This is a bean counters victory and brings nothing but shame on the RAF!

[TEEEJ]

Some images I took last week at Coningsby.
http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h261/TOMMYJO/JAG111111.jpg

http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h261/TOMMYJO/JAG22222.jpg

http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h261/TOMMYJO/JAG333.jpg

[Kitbag]

I think all weapons are compatible with other delivery systems, with exception of that v. important gun, can't think of any other platform using 30mm ADEN, mind you with the exception of Tornado theres nothing with a gun anyway is there? Long old capability holiday coming up then

[soddim]

So sad to see 6 Squadron's record of unbroken service going to the wall. When we took the number on to F4's we made sure that we collected the standards and silver from the Canberra sqn in Akrotiri and reformed during the OCU course to keep this record intact.

I suppose to see that piece of RAF history coming to an end because of crisis management is a fair indication of why the services are in the state they are.

Time the head shed resigned and let the inmates run the asylum - no way could it be worse.

[Archimedes]

Does the squadron actually lose its record, though, unless their airships formally disband it? ISTR that a squadron can formally exist even if it has no aeroplanes or personnel, no matter how counter-intuitive that may seem.

70 and 104 squadrons were both reduced to 'numberplate unmanned' status with the intention of reforming them (they were, in fact, disbanded at a later date, and reformed after that), but the time when they were in this abeyance counts towards the calculation of continuous service.

A more recent 'for instance' is 216 Sqn - 'disbanded' when absorbed into 12 Sqn in 1980 (after the Buccaneer grounding led to the force being reduced), it was never offically declared to have done so. When 216 became the Tri* unit in 1984, it reactivated rather than reformed. :8

[ExBinbrook]

Whilst we are talking Jags, anyone know what Bill Pixton went onto do after his time at Colt and in the Gulf ?

[yoyonow]

Very sad to see the demise of yet another cornerstone of the RAF. I can only agree with Jacko and the rest in attesting to the superb skills and comradere of the 'Jag Mates'. Always a great bunch to fly with. To be kicked in the teeth at the end is just poor management.

With regard to the aircraft however, I defer to a visiting TP at Boscombe. Having just seen at first-hand the updates listed earlier, his comment was "very nice, but next time invest in a bit more wing area". IMHO you can only polish a turd so much....

[Charlie Griffiths]

Sorry boys, a terrible way to go out. Keep your chins up and good luck with the next assignments.

See you at happy hour in June...let's say goodbye the same way we did to Colt!

[JagRigger]

I must admit the way the Coltishall wing /base closure occurred left a bad taste in the mouth. This just takes things a stage further.

The complete lack of foresight and apparent stumbling from one cutback to another, messing around the 'troops', bases and local communities is shameful. This has continued to the 'official' release of the closure announcement at such short notice.

The Jag force was an almost unique element - something of a hangover from WW2 almost, with its friendly, 'can-do' attitude and ability to produce results. I suspect much of this was from Coltishall itself - a small, flightline based setup, where everyone knew everyone else and could walk to see them in 5 mins ( ok dumpies, I'll ignore you ) The aircraft helped too of course. No electronics to tell you it was U/S meant the ability to make 'engineering decisions' and put up aircraft when other more modern types were sat on the tarmac.

21 years on type - I'll miss it - but I'm glad I bailed out with Coltishall - fond memories and I'm not sure I want to associate myself with the farcical withdrawal that will see this proud machine thrown away to save what is effectively peanuts – whilst next week the government will doubtless give a million to it’s latest worthy cause.

[BombayDuck]

There goes a bit of history. And so it always is... you want to see Lightnings? Go to South Africa. Tomcats? Iran. Jaguars?

Come on over. We've done a few more things to the Jag which you folks in the RAF might be pleased to hear. (Click here (http://www.acig.org/exclusives/saras/ACIG%20Exclusives_Saras_Jaguar.html) for specs on the latest Jag upgrade in the IAF - but scroll down to the bottom half of the page). They'll be flying to 2020 at least. The bird has served us well so far - thanks to your excellent designers :ok:

[edwardspannerhands]

Just wanted to say a big :D to the Jag Crews who flew into Lossie yesterday. That 8-ship run-in-and-break was 1st class and brought a lump to the throat on such a sad occassion.

[Jackonicko]

One can only hope that a cadre of aircraft will be retained to meet planned display commitments - one understands that a Jag had been planned to lead the Queens Birthday Flypast.

[Finger Poking]

"Oh... how sad". Get a grip! := Its a piece of metal, not a person. Only redeeming feature was the connection to 'viv'la France'.

The only thing sad is the amount of money our so called leaders have wasted, moving the aircraft from Colt for what has panned out to be 13 months flying. (Significantly, most of it on glamorous 'End Of Jag' detachments), which had it not been for the brilliance of JPA, would have wasted more MoD pennies.

It should never have moved. If it was retired last April, the money and manpower could have gone to Typhoon. Money would have been spent where it was needed and manpower (including, lets not forget, families) would not now be looking at postings again.:ugh:

When the drafters wield the scythe and people get offers that incur penalties for the family, again the PVR rate will rise quicker than inflation. :D And unless the next OCU course is empty, there will be a few aircrew chums in that number, looking for Mr Branson and Co for employment!

[airsound]

My favourite Jag memory dates from a long long time ago, when I was still taking HM shilling (I think it probably was a shilling then....). I was jo-ed to do the commentary for the flying display for the Royal College of Defence Studies’ visit to HM Air Force. (RCDS, for anyone who doesn’t know, hosts Admirals, Generals and Air Marshals from all over the world, and tries to show them how things should be done. The way things are at the moment, perhaps they should be rethinking that...... Sorry, story creep)

So anyway, here is this polyglot bunch of very senior nebbies, on an airfield somewhere in E Stanglia, expecting HM finest to put on a stunning air show. Only thing is, cloudbase is zero. Nebbies unable to see much further than the far side of glass of G&T. Flying cnxd.

Nebbies stand around outside this marquee, wondering wtf’s going on. (As does yours truly, but without the G&T)

Suddenly, out of the grot, emerges this Jag, warp factor 6, altitude only fractionally greater than the ice on the G&Ts, and disappears as quickly as it appeared. Nebbies look startled, but excited.

An hour or so later, their excitement increases to awe when big piccies on shiny paper arrive. There they all are, clutching their G&Ts, pictured from fast-moving Jag in totally unfeasible wx conditions. Some of them look almost comically gobsmacked.

I’ve always thought that that one Jag flypast probably impressed them more than a couple of hours of highly choreographed show could ever have done.

That was the Jag force for me. We’ll miss you, guys and gals - and I too am gobsmacked, this time by the total and utter ineptitude of the current nebbies.

airsound

[Release-Authorised]

I seem to remember seeing an article about the sudden dismemberment of a Middle East assigned Sqn in the late 1960s - the first that the Sqn knew about it was when 2 of their Hunters appeared on the line wearing the markings of the Royal Jordanian Airforce.

Now where are those Omani stencils - near Lincolnshire perhaps?

[propulike]

What an appalling way to take a long serving type out of service. Unfortunately it says to me that those who ask for our loyalty have no understanding of the history and tradition which loyalty is based on.

The Jag fleet has always been flexible and easy to work with - and I've always had a soft spot for the underpowered beast too.

I hope the boys prove one last time that they can produce the goods in spectacular style at very short notice and give the old girl a send off worthy of her service.

[Tombstone]

Outrageous behaviour from the government. They have sunk to all time low IMHO and have clearly demonstrated their lack of understanding as to how the RAF ticks.

Jag Mates,

always a pleasure working with you and I look forward to seeing you guys showing the Harrier mates how a Typhoon should be flown in the near future!

Tony Bliar,

you :mad: .

[MostlyHarmless]

The number of toys on the Jag is an embarrassment considering how much it cost. Best to not deploy it for a few years and then kill it off quietly, then we can let BWoS et al continue to rip the arse out of the system taking years to get minor changes on board and charge essentially what they like.

Makes me blood boil...

[Regie Mental]

Anyone know if the 6 Sqn numberplate will be passed on so as to preserve it's record as being the RAF Squadron with the longest unbroken service?

[REDBEARING]

where are the silent ex jags,

derek bridge, al mathie, geoff case, tim southam, we know where torpey is!! and harper not saying much, and i dont blaim them!!! their master have shafted them, good old blair and co, bring back guy fawkes!!!,

buying chippys with hard points next!!!

[OCCWMF]

Fraid not. So it's actually a double pronged disbandment. To do justice to the Jag Force and it's history as well as the Sqn is a tall order and it is all too easy to lose the sqn in the Jag noise. I fear it almost deserves more attention.:{ :{ :{ :{ :{ :{ :{

[REDBEARING]

yep,

he is a painter now, seen a jag at norwich years back with his name on it, great 41 red tail, he did a great job!

[chanter]

Best ever jaguar memory for me was extracting the current CDS's fingers from the front canopy of a T2 on the OCU at Lossie! really sad news for a great jet.

[MikeeB]

Don't suppose any will turn up at Waddington now? I was really looking forward to seeing one for the last time :(

[TimidToad]

A sad day for those who had the pleasure of flying a superb and very capable aircraft. Roving happy snaps was great fun, particularly at night!!

[REDBEARING]

is that you timbo

from jag to tonka, and now a jock in frock!!

[TEEEJ]

I managed to get along to Coningsby today with my box brownie. Lots of photographers out to catch as much Jag action as possible.
http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h261/TOMMYJO/DSC_0208.jpg
http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h261/TOMMYJO/DSC_0007.jpg
http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h261/TOMMYJO/DSC_0018.jpg
http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h261/TOMMYJO/DSC_0203.jpg

[philhird]

Dear All,
When i joined the RAF I always wanted to fly jaguar-stemming from an awesome back-seat trip in a T-bird when I was on UAS. Alas that wasn't to be and I find myself flying the venerable Vickers Fun Bus. Having flown her for a while, I still hadn't refuelled a Jaguar. How surprised and delighted I was when 4 Jags popped up today over Loch Ness asking for bootleg at the end of an extremely busy exercise sortie. We gave away 35ish tons of gas to 15 receivers, in 90 minutes, the last four of which being the Jags. What an honour, and on such a beautiful aviating day too, to serve the gentlemen of 6 Sqn on what was probably their last prodding trip.
We dragged them towards their LLEP and, as they formed up in tight echelon right, one of their number gave a poignant farewell and thank you speech over the radio. One by one they peeled away from the tanker, diving into low level. This must have looked fantastic from below, and my only regret is there wasn't time to organise a video camera.
Thanks guys for a great end to our sortie and I wish you well through the turmoil of the next few months.
PH

http://img224.imageshack.us/img224/3261/image085xv0.jpg

[neilmac]

What a way to treat our wonderful plane and people! Oh well what do the MOD care about THEIR people.............many a happy time at Colt and Jags......beggers belief I am lost for words. The party weekend I cant make trying my hand at Air racing but guys and girls always remember our beloved cat

NM

[soprano54]

How sad! I have the honour of being the last GLO on 54(F) Sqn and managed to get ten back seat trips in the old gal. Last saw four leaving Hannover AP after a visit to watch us firing, sweet work 'Petly', 'Disco', 'Whitey' and 'Rubes':D

[SixOfTheBest]

Jacko,

I too am v sad to see the end of the Jaguar. The way it has been done is also far from perfect. That said, I wish you would can some of your utter drivel. Let's not mix this issue with the Jaguar's capability when compared with the other FJ mud platforms in service (all 2 of them). AFG, for example, is all about putting steel down and unfortunately, the Jaguar can't put anything close to the amount the other platforms can. The end. It is very sad to see it go. Agree. But it is, and always will be a, highly polished turd!

[Jackonicko]

No recce task in AFG, then? No TIALD? No strafe?

No-one would pretend that Jag has any use anywhere (let alone hot and high) if the only task is to haul 1,000-lb PWIIs (or 2,000 lb PWIIIs) but only a fool would ignore the useful capabilities the jet does have, and had the jet not been treated as a 'dead man walking' it could have had recce/TIALD or recce/ALQ on the centreline simultaneously, leaving the outboards available for a MCDW or a 500-lb LGB (or smaller).

And in any case, the primary reason for keeping Jag would have been to have kept the cream of the FJ force current in role - in a jet which has many of the toys even if it has none of the grunt.

The disappearance of the Jag sees the RAF lose its only FJ with a helmet sight and a real off boresight AAM capability. With workable ETAPS and EFRCs, etc.

[Jobza Guddun]

Just had the privilege of a flypast by (I saw!) 7 Jags. :D :D

Thank you 6, it was great to see you and well flown. I think the phrase is au revoir, not goodbye. :ok:

Best of British for your futures, air and groundcrew. I think you've been shoddily treated in a way that massively disappoints me, and yet is no real surprise any more. To the senior echelon of our Service, shame on you. You could have done it so much better...... :yuk:

JG

[Jackonicko]

One hopes that 11 will be re-numbered as six on Monday, to keep No.6's (WORLD!) record of unbroken service intact.

Who cares about 11 (an undistinguished ex-Javelin mob), after all? ;)

"Carry on, Can-Openers!"

[Jayfoe]

Thanks for great flypast.

After 3 absolutely fantastic years at Colt it was nice to be able to say cheerio to the Mighty Jag in style.

Jayfoe

[Mr Blake]

Fantastic 12 ship flypast across the Flatlands. As expected very professional and superbly executed. After 20 years on the old crates, a sad sad day, but time to move on I guess. Will we be so affectionate about the sprightly young typhoon in 3 decades?

[mojocvh]

Sad fact that this is not the first time this has happened-what was the Leeming based unit that, whilst on operations over balkans, got the dreaded phone call?

[MostlyHarmless]

Well that's a 12 ship, a 8 and a 7 this week - how many other forces can put that up?!

[PPRuNeUser0211]

12 on the walk, 8 on the taxi and 7 airborne, no worries!

[Inverted81]

Saw the formation on radar this morning/afternoon... caused quite a stir in the ops room in Aberdeen looking at the Anglia Radar sector....

I'm sure all at Aberdeen, and in particular those who work Anglia Radar will miss seeing the Jaguar..

Good luck to the current force.

Any more pics of the flypast would be greatly received... (Nice to see the "Real" thing)

81

[Junta Leader]

Saw the last one leave Lossie on Thursday..... Not a dry eye in the house.:{

[Bob Viking]

It was only a matter of time until I had to post something!
Just got in from happy hour. A little earlier than desirable but c'est la vie!
May I just add that the formation was accomplished by launching 12 from 12. Neither of the 2 hot spares were required!
BV:ok:

[Ex F111]

Brief and Step the lads an hour earlier and have them paint them themselves. At least you know they will get the job done, on time and correctly.

[whowhenwhy]

In a way it feels like Coltishall's chapter of history is finally coming to an end as the jet goes. JS, I still remember spending a great deal of time sitting down with you after you'd just come back to the Force after being on the IPT, learning stuff for a presentation at the Purple Learning College. You and the guys have been treated very shabbily.

Will always remember as I got to the mid-point of my time at Colt when they got the Eng sorted out, having upwards of 30 jets on the line everyday. They'd all go within 30 minutes of each other and all come back together 90 minutes later. Made it even more fun when the Viggens and Hawks came over and we tried recovering about 40 jets in IFR in the space of 35 minutes. Good times.

I realise that it's a pain to get to, but are you planning on including us poor dejected rotary airfields on the tour? Particularly the southerly one!!! :ok:

[neilmac]

loads of pics on

http://www.ukar.co.uk/cgi-bin/ukarboard/ikonboard.cgi

Under mil photos.

It mentions in one thread how the lead said we will miss Lossie and the reply from the female controller was yep bye, she could have said more!! Maybe I am just being to sentimental!

NM

[clicker]

Was unable to make Friday but did a quick visit on Thursday.

Nice to see the Jag's out of their lair although would prefer to see them continue for a few more years.

Thanks to JS for the heads up and I wish all 6 Sqnd lads and lasses well in their new adventures.

clicker

[Zoom]

During my USAF exchange we 'sharkmouthed' all of our F-4s on a Sunday. The proverbial hit the fan on the Monday. We painted them out on the Tuesday - very poorly.

But for a couple of days they looked fantastic.

[ericferret]

I am curious as to 6 squadron being described as having uninterrupted service since formation.

The standard work on RAF squadrons Wing Commander Jeffords
"RAF squadrons" shows them as disbanded once.

A cross check with "Flying Units of the RAF" by Alan Lake shows them as disbanded twice.

I suppose it all comes down to definition of disbanded.

Out of interest 24 squadrons entry in Jeffords book shows them as never disbanded since formation.

[Archimedes]

The presence of 6 (Designate) Squadron with Jaguars at Lossie is the answer. When the Phantom equipped 6 Squadron disbanded, 6 (Designate) Squadron - which had formed some time months before - simultaneously lost its 'Designate' title and the squadron seemlessly re-equipped. As noted above, the silver, standards, etc had been handed over to the Jag equipped unit before the Phantom unit stood down.

IIRC - and being pedantic - 6 (Phantoms) disbanded at 23:59:59 and 6 (Jaguars) came into being at 00:00:00, so the squadron disbanded for a nanosecond or two...

You're right about 24 Squadron, although it reduced to cadre status in the early 20s, IIRC.

[ericferret]

6 also had a cadre existence previously when they converted from Canberras to Phantoms. January to May 1969.

I reckon that accepting the cadre existence as valid then 6 shades it in the historical stakes by virtue of it's date of formation 31 Jan 1914 as to 24's
1 Sept 1915.

However you cut it both have a long and proud service record.

Jeffords definition of a squadron makes depressing reading.

" A squadron is a squadron because the ministry says it is"!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The MOD has little interest in sentiment, observe the treatment of some army regiments with histories stretching over several hundred years.

[REDBEARING]

colt,

why o why, is this cheap reliable kit sent to the bin, its got years ahead, dont vote for blair, bin blair, it could carry loads, and does many jobs so well, ok VFR only, its still worth having, but lets just be grateful that it was so good, what next?? perhaps these will come back like those hunters???

[soddim]

No way did 6 reduce to cadre status in 1969 - we suffered the great hardship of a trip to Cyprus whilst converting to the new Phantom as No 1 Course and took back with us to Coningsby the two Royal standards and all the silver. For the remainder of our conversion to the jet we were in every sense No 6 Squadron and proud to be so. In every way we were a squadron although, sadly, we had no groundcrew because some idiot in head shed thought that centralised servicing was the way to go - took a while to prove that he was wrong.

[ex_rigger]

Thanks for the the heads up JS. Guess it has been a bummer of a week for you all. :( Like the rest of the posts I am saddened to see the untimely end of this great a/c. I did my tour on six in the mid eighties and had a great time.
Having come off Lightnings it was a revelation to be home by around 23.00hrs off a night shift. Go on detachment with 12 jets, fly 95% plus of our sorties and then bring them all home together. At Deci and many other detachments beat the F4 guys to the bar by hours and not give a damn about the dish of milk placed for our cats. We always knew when the chips were down we would beat the S**t out of them.
Just hope you can somehow keep the number plate alive.
All the best to all air and ground crews. :D

[Wee Jock McPlop]

Yep, this decision makes lots of sense. Spend sqillions of pounds upgrading an already capable platform and then sh..can it shortly after to save not an awful lot. Yet another blinding decision from the powers that be. Ranks along side the old one of spending tens of millions modernising/upgrading an airfield (Chivenor readily springs to mind) and then promptly closing it. Do these idiots never learn - clearly not. If you invest heavily in something, you should get a return from that investment. The politicians, civil servants and the air ranks involved in this decision should hang their heads in shame. The timescales involved in that decision are, quite frankly, breathtakingly quick and brutal. Makes me glad i've left, if thats the way they work.

Had the pleasure of working with the Jags during the early to mid-nineties. A more professional, dedicated and talented bunch you could not find. Best wishes to JS, the aircrew and groundcrew. Hope you enjoy the last days and see the Cat out of service in style - i'm sure you will. Rise above them.

Best wishes,

WJMcP

[DHI]

Sir and all. Have assisted Jag air and groundcrews throughout years, from the early eighties to as recently as last year. In Abu Dhabi on our way to Magic Carpet and even RIAT, but thats another story!

Many Thanks, till the next time.

Cheers

DHI

[Jackonicko]

After speaking to a few old friends, it occurs to me that far from ‘over-egging’ the Jaguar pudding, I’ve actually been guilty of under-stating the type’s usefulness.

Training
Quite apart from keeping the cream of the RAF’s Fast Jet force current ‘in role’ – and with some of the capabilities and toys that the Typhoon has, or will be getting – retaining the Jaguar would have had a number of important advantages even if it did not deploy.

The Jaguar has been largely responsible for training Army FACs over the last 18 months, there are insufficient Harriers available and Tornado is ill-suited to this particular task. Whenever the Army need CAS training, the Jaguar is the platform of choice. I understand that the Army has already started to feel the impact of the Jaguar’s sudden withdrawal – since the Jaguar Force has had to pull out of Exercise Neptune Warrior which would have provided operationally vital training for soon-to-deploy FACs who have not yet undertaken any live control of fast jets.

The Army like the Jag, because, as one former Jagmate told me: “They know that we will turn-up and give them a first-class service, and not ring up an hour later to explain that the jets have broken.”

Every hour flown by a Jaguar is an hour that does not have to be flown (at significantly higher cost) by a Harrier or a Tornado. According to figures published in Hansard, a Jaguar is the cheapest RAF FJ to operate, and a Jaguar Squadron’s annual running costs are a fraction of those of other types. And it has to be said that with the increasing intensity of operations, the Harrier in particular is unlikely to make it until its planned OSD (which will almost certainly slip to the right as a result of JSF delays) without major structural work. This will be so costly as to have made retention of the Jaguar look like an absolute bargain.

Operational capabilities
In the light of the “Utterly, Utterly Useless” comments last year, it would seem to me that any platform capable of providing highly discriminatory close air support ought to be worth its weight in gold, even if air-to-ground payloads might be modest. And No.6 is highly proficient in CAS, and highly regarded by the units with which it has trained. All of the No.6 Squadron Jaguar pilots are fully practiced and proficient at both low and high angle strafe, and they fly an aircraft with a proven, operational 30-mm cannon.
The Jaguar can use IDM to get a nine line brief or target co-ordinates in and out of the cockpit reliably, accurately, and at speed, reducing the need for wingmen to be manually typing coordinates into the kit. Meanwhile the combination of the Jaguar’s HMS with the data-link provides a unique capability.

A Jaguar pilot can search for targets of opportunity, targets of unknown location or Time Sensitive Targets and, once found, can instantly generate accurate coordinates with a single stick-top button press using the HMS sightline, i.e. with no need to overfly the target.

These target coordinates can then be transmitted to the rest of the formation, or to a FAC or JSTARS. Wingmen get an alert in the HUD, and can then make two stick top selections to view it on the AMLCD. With one single button press, the wingman can then ‘drop’ the transmitted coordinates into his own INS and simultaneously send an ‘accept’ message back to the leader. Two further stick-top selections bring up steering to the target and weapons aiming cues.

In the recent exercises in the UAE the Jaguars practiced this capability against targets ranging from Toyota Landcruisers to inflatable Scuds and proved able to find a target and strike it (strafe being the attack option of choice – accurate and discriminatory) with four aircraft inside three minutes flat. In more complex terrain or where target identification is more difficult, you can allow an extra minute to permit a voice description of the target and its surrounding features!

Medium-level CAS would typically take upwards of 20 minutes trying to get ‘eyes-on’ to a target, depending upon the terrain and the FAC’s ability to describe the target, and still can for Harrier and Tornado mates. But the Jaguar pilot can simply plug the target coordinates into his kit, follow the HMS cueing and then confirm with the FAC that he is looking at the right target. A former Jag pilot estimated that they were typically ‘hot’ on target in less than five minutes, and that “No one else can do that.”

I believe that no other RAF aircraft could come close to this sort of capability against time sensitive targets – which would seem to be pretty relevant in current theatres! Perhaps some of our Harrier and GR4 brethren here on PPRuNe will confirm my suspicion that only the Jaguar can do this……..

The data-link also gives the Jaguar pilot the real-time positions of the rest of his formation onto his map display, greatly aiding Situational Awareness and target deconfliction.

Keeping pilots current in using these capabilities would seem to me to be of huge potential value for when Typhoon really starts to pick up an air-to-ground capability.

Deployment
And that’s without considering the potential usefulness of the Jaguar in current operations. Many of us have an old fashioned and out of date impression of the Jaguar’s capabilities – based on the pre GR3A standard aircraft and on the old 102 or 104 engine – as though the GR3A did not exist, and as though the 106 engine upgrade had not happened.

As a result, the whole ‘hot and high’ debate has bee littered with ill-informed comment.

The option to send the Jaguars to Kandahar was looked at very seriously before political considerations came to bear. The Harrier Force badly needs some breathing space, and contrary to much of the bollocks being spouted here and elsewhere, the Jaguar could have made a useful contribution in Afghanistan – though if it had done so, it would have been hugely politically embarrassing after the Force had been emasculated and reduced to a single squadron, and it would have made cutting the Jaguar more difficult to justify.

The absence of any radar or air threat in theatre means that the Jaguar would not need to carry overwing missiles in Afghanistan and could dispense with the underwing ALQ-101 ECM pod and Phimat chaff dispenser. (It also renders the obsolesecence of the Jag's RWR and ECM an irrelevance). With two tanks the Jaguar could carry a centerline TIALD or JRP and two CRV7 pods or two 1,000 lb bombs on the outboard underwing pylons, plus 150 rounds of 30-mm HE.

Of course, if the requirement is simply to tote as much iron as possible, the Jaguar is entirely inadequate - but if it's about delivering 'effect' with precision and discrimination, the Jaguar does it better than its rivals, so some of the criticism that's routinely offered is way off base.

The only modifications needed for the Jaguar to operate in Afghanistan were trialled on one aircraft - these involved the carriage of BOL-IR decoys in the overwing launch rails and the provision of a secure radio. The cost of such mods was insignificant because, as a mature platform, the Jaguar could be upgraded quickly and very cheaply without the expensive input of the Design Authority – as the original J96 and J97 upgrades proved.

The Harrier GR.Mk 7’s jaw-dropping STOVL capabilities are impressive, and nothing can beat a Harrier’s short-field performance, but there are ways in which the Jaguar is a MORE deployable aircraft. There have been examples of airfields that the Harrier can’t use (those massive intakes make it something of a FOD hoover) that the Jaguar can, while the Jaguar can deploy quickly and with a tiny logistics footprint.

When No.6 flew its farewell 12-ship formation on Friday, it did so without needing to use either of the reserve jets – and did so without its engineers having to work for weeks to ensure that it happened – that week had begun as just another working week. I'd like to see any other FJ unit put up a 12 ship with as little notice! And as if to prove that such serviceability and availability was not a 'flash in the pan' the Squadron had only recently brought all seven of the aircraft it deployed to the UAE home with zero support. In two consecutive days of three hops the unit returned without leaving jets scattered all over the Mediterranean, and the seven aircraft landed at Coningsby on time and serviceable.

Once the Americans repaired the airfield at Kandahar, the runway length available increased to 10 000 ft. And the bottom line is that that is more than enough for the Jaguar! After looking very carefully at the Jaguar’s performance it was established that the aircraft could take off and accelerate away safely from Kandahar (3,300 ft amsl) even at 45°C (making Kandahar on a hot day equivalent to about 6,000 ft under standard ISA conditions). A Kandahar take-off was actually simulated by climbing straight to 6,000 ft from take-off, slowing down to take-off speed again and selecting the airbrakes out to replicate stores drag. I’m told that the jet accelerated away just fine from this simulated take off.

It was calculated that the aircraft that would be able to take off with two tanks and two 1000lb bombs at temperatures of up to 35° C and could carry two tanks and a pair of CRV7 rocket pods at OATs of up to 45° C. By increasing the engine TGT by 25° C the aircraft could operate at OATs of up to 48 deg C and this was successfully trialled.

The only reason the Jaguar did not deploy to Afghanistan was that to do so would have made it impossible to retire the aircraft prematurely without awkward questions being asked. I find it astonishing, to be honest, that such cynical manipulation by the politicians has not been challenged, and I'm scandalised that certain senior officers have been complicit in the process.

It strikes me that PPRuNe has a particular responsibility to call those people out for this poor decision - or at least not to be complicit in it.

[Navaleye]

Well said Jacko ! Its a scandal they were not used in the 'stan. I never believed that hot and high baloney. So another useful asset bites the dust.

[A2QFI]

I flew Jaguars at 1500 ft (not that high) and +45 with 2 tanks and 4 x 1000 bombs, albeit with uprated Adours and it was certainly possible but the long runway gave an added feelgood factor! We found that the take-off run was sometimes longer than the ODM calculation and investgation showed that, over a black tarmac runway, the temperature at engine intake height was up to 10C more than the met screen actual, which accounted for the loss of performance.

[Ex F111]

Jacko, whilst I understand that as an aviation journalist, you have seemingly reasonable crudentials on military aviation matters, and that you often show an informed understanding of lots associated with mil aviation, but your comments on performance clearly display that you do not fully understand PERFORMANCE and ODM related issues - and the safety margins that are implicit in their calculations. Believe it or not, in safety cases that are necessary for the release and manitenance of ODMs, unfortunately, annecdotal evidence is insufficient to prove them inaccurate.

ie - On paper, the Jag lacks performance to operate at places like Kandahar et al when it is hot and high - with or without a 'war load'. I acknowledge that those who operate the jet have stated that they can 'get away with it', should one of the jets end up in the sand long (with or without load, tanks or seat still attached) - heads would roll in the performance cells of the appropritate advisary agencies that 'allowed' such operations.

[newt]

Jackonicko, what a great insight into the current capabilities of the Jaguar. My experience of hot and high showed it to be very effective! We even managed to do night , unlit straffe which concentrated the mind a bit!! With all the latest additions to the "kit", it must be a very capable platform providing much needed CAS capability.

The politics of this withdrawal are a disgrace and I just wonder how many of those senior chaps involved with this decision, will show up for the weekend at Coningsby!

Good luck to all the guys and girls who I suspect are now off on gardening leave and many thanks for the chance to see the Jaguar for the last time as a pair flashed past the house on Thursday!!

[Jackonicko]

Ex F111,

I would be the first to point out that my own credentials are worth 'Jack S**t'.

I would not presume to offer up my own view of the Jaguar's performance characteristics based upon an analysis of publicly available specification figures or whatever. It would be worthless.

I may not have a copy of the ODM sitting on my desk, and I would not have the mental wherewithal for it to be useful.

But those I've spoken to who say that Kandahar is long enough do have the credentials to be taken seriously, do have an in-depth knowledge of the Jaguar's performance, do have the ODM available to them, and have thousands of hours on the type.

[ranger703]

Jacko,

Not wanting to remove the highlight from what is still and always has been a very fine aircraft,but I find the comments made here :

"The Jaguar has been largely responsible for training Army FACs over the last 18 months, there are insufficient Harriers available and Tornado is ill-suited to this particular task. Whenever the Army need CAS training, the Jaguar is the platform of choice. I understand that the Army has already started to feel the impact of the Jaguar’s sudden withdrawal – since the Jaguar Force has had to pull out of Exercise Neptune Warrior which would have provided operationally vital training for soon-to-deploy FACs who have not yet undertaken any live control of fast jets."

....to be absolute rot! The Tornado is a very capable CAS platform and with its latest additions is very well suited to the task.Jag pulling out of NW has had no impact whatsoever on "soon-to-deploy FACs"!! Some of your other statements are also a bit off the mark,especially in reference to capabilities,but I'm not going to go there.

Regards..

[serf]

................and I have yet to see a Jag during lots of FAC training during the last 18 months.

[Barn Doors]

Jacko, Jacko, Jacko, :ugh: :ugh: :ugh:

Your respect and admiration for this fine aircraft and their people is well-founded and admirable to say the least. However, please take some time to carry out in-depth research of some of the other mud-moving aircraft in Her Majesty's Air Force (and I most certainly do NOT include Type-Hoon in that!)

Could you perhaps use your highly respected connections in the journo world to visit Kandahar and the JFH Det there? Or perhaps the TGRF at their 'secret' Middle-Eastern air base? Maybe, just maybe, you would then get a reality check and perhaps even develop some impartiality and (dare I suggest it) lose your blatantly obvious favouritism in light of bare-faced facts. I have read, with great amusement, your little lesson to all of us who actually do the job first hand. You are a speculative miscreant with a lot of Jane's manuals and some dodgy personal connections to get you these quotes.

The only thing I have ever agreed with you on is how much of a g*t Max Hastings is........!

Do a bit of meaningful research and spout the facts, if you would be so kind!

[Jackonicko]

Barn Doors,

Rather than simply flapping, why not point out exactly what I've said that's incorrect?

[Joker1]

There's actually a lot of truth in Jackos post. We looked very carefully at the option to go to Kandahar and it was possible. We could not have operated at the peak of the hottest days but we were only ever looked at to augment the JFH, not replace them, so that they could have a less punishing op cycle. The Harrier is an excellent CAS platform but we could have credibly relieved some of the burden.

It is certainly nice to be given credit for all the effort we have put into CAS over the last year – I don’t know where you have been Serf but providing we were physically in country, I don’t think we have ever turned down a CAS request and we have always been given positive feedback. We have trained FACs on every one of our dets, except this last one. That is a direct contribution to current ops – fact.

Our HMS and data-link really speed up the whole CAS cycle but I know that the Tonkas do a lot of CAS now and should be given credit for it. JFH and Tonkas are going to find themselves even busier in the coming months as they pick up all of our exercise tasking and we wish them all the best.

Franky, it is all water under the bridge now so please let us retire with grace. We know the jet had limitations but we worked around them and always got good results. It is nice to see some misplaced preconceptions knocked down but we are all working hard in the current climate and we don’t need to be sniping at each other. Far from it, JFH and the Tonkas should be hassling to get hold of our HMS kits! :ok:

[Spotting Bad Guys]

Getting away from the 'Jacko's right/wrong argument' for a minute, I would like to say that the opening statement of this thread show both sides of one of the key issues we face at the moment i.e. leadership (or the lack thereof).

OC 6 went on record in a public forum to make the announcement of the Sqn's demise, and went on to explain why certain decisions had been taken regarding final displays and so on. Compare and contrast this with the silence from the top levels on the subject or indeed, many other subjects such as the formation of Air Cmd HQ etc.

Sir, thank you for letting us know the facts and that you are doing what you can to see the old girl off in the best way you can. I wish you and the all those associated with the Sqn the very best for the future.

SBG

(Served with 6 Sqn during GRANBY)

[srb219]

A sad day indeed and just wanted to add my bit for posterity.

I had the huge great fortune of working on the Jaguar flight trials team at Warton, 71-74 and managed or "ran" the trials on E02 (engines) and S1/Xx108 and B1/XX136, I was the last guy to land safely in the back seat of 136!!

I have the most wonderful memories of those times (reflected in my web site!!) and still know some of the people involved back then. It is very sad to see "my plane" go out of service, even if it is after a wonderful 33 years, and I wish all concerned with 6 Squadron today the very best of fortune in whatever comes next.

Steve Broadbent

[Duncano]

Heard a rumour that 6 Sqn will reform with Typhoon in '08 at Coningsby but is later planned to be the first Leuchars Multi Role Sqn.

[Mr Blake]

Another 12 ship just roared over. Final day so getting their monies worth. Just wish that they could really beat the airfield up.

[Hueymeister]

Just had 'em through HMP Strawberry, marvellous site. Took me back to my childhood skulking in the back garden at my grandparents in the visual circuit at Colt...and my flight in the T-Bird aged 16...puked from start to finish. Sad day today.

HM

[rogcal]

Thanks guys!

Sitting on the mower cutting my strip and was able to say good by to the old girls as they passed overhead, forming up for the fly past.

Wonderful sight but a sad one all the same!

[mukit]

God bless :{

[Hueymeister]

Hope the post-flight piss up goes well.:} :} :D :D :sad: :(

[SALAD DODGER]

Farewell, and I hope that you have a fitting and fantastic celebration. Allways loved and respected.

R.I.P. one Piano I expect....:D

[craigJ]

May be of interest here, though I expect many have already seen it. This video has certainly helped inspire me :).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZaJG3OYezmA

[TEEEJ]

What was all the chit chat on the Coningsby freqs about a sniper targetting the Jag formation? One of the pilots got a visual of a possible sniper that was firing at them from a building near the river.

[Jackonicko]

Must have been a Harrier mate jealous of all the attention going the Jags way....

[Zoom]

Not that Phantom bloke again, was it? For old time's sake, etc.

[Zoom]

Interesting point, rogcal:

'....was able to say good by to the old girls as they passed overhead....'

Any girls actually flying the old girls??

[kemblejet01]

JS et al,

have read with interest the multitude of posts.

I had 13 great years, 3500 hours and 5 Squadrons worth of Jaguar flying as well as the immense priviledge of training a generation of pilots (including, as I recall the current OC6).

Sad day indeed, and I would be honoured to attend the bash in June.

If the RAF could "lose" one to Kemble, I'll do my level best to keep her flying.

Cubes

[scopey]

As a frustrated pilot and current ASOp who used to curse the Jags for their racket in the mornings at Colt, when trying to sleap off nights, I'd like to say I loved them really, and always used to get a thrill seeing them overhead. Best wishes to all at Six, I hope you get your Tiffies sharpish!

[London Mil]

Gentlemen, it was an honour. Even though you were always fuel priority and "somewhere in Northumberland" on initial contact. :D :D :D

[Sentry Agitator]

Goodbye and good luck fellas. I hope your rest is a very short one.

I have very fond memories over the years and the cat has been ever present during my 20.

I will always remember having to descend the tankers to get you some gas before your low level ingress at Amble Light before screaming through LOTAs C, B and D. Ah themz woz tha dayz!

SA

P.S. There was a fantastic shot (viewers snap) of six doing a six :D on the local news...BBC Look North and it was fantastic! wish it was mine but if anyone knows where to get hold of it?

[OC 6 Sqn]

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Thank you for the strong support that the vast majority have offered.

Please now note a correction to the details within my original post.

Unfortunately, the address created to receive external e-mail has been found to be incompatible with the RAF Internet Gateway. The corrected e-mail address is:

[email protected]


I have corrected my initial post but if you responded to the address that I originally posted, please re-send your details.

Notwithstanding this technical issue, e-mail is the preferred method of contact and I would ask for restraint before telephoning the Squadron at this busy time. Please do not be concerned to have not received further details at this stage as we have been inundated with initial applications. It is our intention to send out further details on Friday 11 May to all parties on our database. If you have not received confirmation of your interest by Mon 14 May, please contact us again.

Once again, please ensure that you pass these details to all of your Jaguar colleagues.

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p247/quinag/6-1.jpg

[Valiantone]

One small question for OC 6 Sqn, when do the photos taken during last fridays photosession with the Hawk flying over a certain catherdral city appear? Or were they taken by a non RAF photographer?

Looked nice from the fourth floor of an office block, as did Mondays events from the end of the runway.

really will miss the Jags....


Cheers


Valiantone

[midsomerjambo]

For what it's worth, I worked on 6 Squadron at Coltishall from about January 1979 to January 1980 and it was one of the best best postings I ever had. I will always have a soft spot for the Jaguar and I have found myself in many a verbal battle with those who would do her down. I am really glad that my my old unit was the last to operate the first aeroplane I worked on after passing out of training (126 Apprentice Technician Entry Cosford 1975-1978) and I hope the squadron will be resurrected in very short order.

All the best to aircrew and groundcrew alike, MSJ

[conysbe]

Alber Ratman
Sad to hear about the demise of the Jags..
I spent 5 great years at Coltishall in ASF. Just before the Gulf war started I was seconded to 6 sqn on the deployment to Thumbrait in Oman and then Bahrain. A great deal of our time there was filmed whilst we went about our daily duties. I cant remember who did the filming or if in fact any of it was released after. Have you ever seen any of the footage? If not does anyone know what happend to all the footage taken?

[Megaton]

Former 6 Sqn JEngO so very sad to see the end inflicted in such a way.

[A2QFI]

I flew Jaguars in Oman for 9 years and am sad to see their retirement from the RAF in such a shameful and ignominious manner. The flypast photo at Post 132 is terrific! A fine record of an event that shames our politicians.

[propulike]

Fab photo. The only way to walk as a twelve ship, but get airborne as a 6 ... :D

Nice one.

[X767]

First flight in 1973 as one of the First Eleven who brought the Jaguar into service at Lossiemouth. I 'point with pride' to the fantastic service carried out by this great aircraft, and the highly professional pilots who had the privilege to fly it. However,the manner of its going does leave a very sour taste in the mouth.

[snapper41]

Very sad to see the end of the mighty Jaguar; I was Sqn Int O on 41(F) in the early 90s, and had the time of my life. Now at Cranwell, I do at least get to see Jags taxying around the place! Proud to be a card-carrying member of the Jag Association.

[Jamma]

Arrived from RAFG in '82 and left on demob '96, worked in one form or another on 6, 41, and 54, involved with starting the "Dash 10" EW Bay, great times, a priviledge to serve with such good people and a wonderful aircraft. Never thought of myself as nostalgic but there's a lump in my throat and a tear in my eye........maybe it's the wind, good luck to you all past and present:{

[Robert Woodhouse]

Boss,

Suggest checkout any descendents of Lady Houston.

(For the young Google Schneider Trophy)

[Wholigan]

For interest (maybe) - my son-in-law is a descendant of Flt Lt Waghorn, who won in 1929.

Well - - - -it was of interest to me! :O

[jindabyne]

A2QFI

--- and, possibly, the Air Chiefs?

[A2QFI]

I couldn't include them - they are incapable of shame! Too worried about the pension and the next job as a 'consultant'!

[Adour]

Many pages and many replies. I served on 16(R), 41(F) and 6 Sqn until 2006. I was always very conscious of the great reputation that the Jaguar and the Jaguar Force had and it was my privilege to try and up hold that during my service with them.

I am currently out of the country and have been unable to attend the farewell of this remarkable Sqn and aircraft. I wish to pass my thanks to all those I worked with and all those who have posted such gracious comments about 6 Sqn and the Jaguar Force.

I know that those who had the same opportunity that I have will no doubt go on to do great things with the experience they have gained from this challenging but capable aircraft.

LJ

[OC 6 Sqn]

Gentlemen,

Thank you for your ongoing support.

Arrangements for the Jaguar Farewell Weekend continue apace. The date remains unchanged with a fly-in and Jaguar Happy Hour on 29 Jun and an open-day and Jaguar Ball on 30 Jun.

The Jaguar Happy Hour and Jaguar Ball will be held in the Officers’ Mess, RAF Coningsby; if you have flown the Jag solo or are a member of the Jaguar Association, you are welcome to attend.

All Jag Mates on our database should have now received an e-mail with details on attendance, cost, accommodation and other sundry information.

If you have contacted the Sqn but not yet received further details, please attempt contact again on:

External email: [email protected]
Internal email: CON-6Sqn-JagRet Grp Mail


Please refrain from telephoning the Sqn at this busy time unless absolutely essential.

The response has been excellent and we fully expect to be limited by Mess capacity. We are therefore limiting attendance to entitled Jag Mates and one guest. If you have not yet contacted the Sqn, I recommend that you do so without further delay to avoid disappointment. Please note also that there is no accommodation on base.

As before, I look forward to seeing you all at what I am determined will be a celebration of the Jaguar and the élan that it has bred in us all.

John Sullivan
OC6

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p247/quinag/Diamond9.jpg

[OCCWMF]

I've never even driven a Lotus - now I've got one inside me. Ah the wonders of modern science!:8

[kemblejet01]

Looking forward very much to June bash.

Any airships reading? - Send a Jaguar to Deltajets - we'll keep it flying
Any politicians reading? - hope your next s**t is a hedgehog

Kmb 01

[whowhenwhy]

Come on cubes, be a bit more adventurous. Porcupine! :E

[ZH875]

And may the porcupine be born breach.

[ex_rigger]

A couple of Jags would look rather splendid alongside the Lightnings, Buccs and Hunters out in Sth Africa as well. How about it Thunder City:ok:

[sprucemoose]

This from a question in the House of Commons yesterday; clearly someone had their thumb up their a4se on the retirement for a full three weeks: bad work fella!! :=

Norman Lamb: "To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for what reasons the out-of-service date for the Royal Air Force’s Jaguar aircraft was brought forward to 29 April 2007; when this decision was taken; when this decision was communicated to No. 6 Squadron; and if he will make a statement."

Mr. Ingram: "The Jaguar aircraft were due to be retired from service in October 2007. As part of a regular, routine review of the entire Defence programme the decision was made on 3 April 2007 to bring their retirement forward to 30 April. This measure will not have an operational impact and will allow the earlier release of experienced personnel into the Typhoon Force. The decision was communicated to No. 6 Squadron, the last remaining RAF Jaguar squadron, at a briefing by their Station Commander and Force Commander on 24 April."

[gib]

when i first joined up as a rigger in the airfarce the first jet i took a spanner to was a jag. shame to see another classic going to the rats,

goodbye to you the septiccat jaguar.:D

[function]

1210Z today......1 Jaguar overhead EGMH northbound.....we
all stood outside to wave you off. Well done and Thankyou.
:D

[308Win]

It is not so much the removal of the type that really rankles it is the underhand way that the personnel have been treated and betrayed by our lords and masters. I have no doubt the sqn personnel would have plans, career paths etc laid out (certainly in what they are aiming for - not that PMA would give a rat's ass) which have all been blown out of the weeds. :suspect: Those at the top should have a F$%^&*g word with themselves.

On a much lighter I can confirm to all and sundry that flying a Total Plus Jag in +45 is a frightening experience and Jackonicko's was DEFINITELY over egging the performance. The damn thing would barely hold 430 at full dry today. Good job the blowers at a huge increase to the thrust.... oh no wait, that's no it at all:}

Make the send off worthy and hope the Jaguar spiwit lives on....:D

[Focks 2]

Heres some shots of the first lot making some interesting recoveries to Cosford:
http://www.ukar.co.uk/cgi-bin/ukarboard/ikonboard.cgi?;act=ST;f=9;t=32046;st=0

[clicker]

Shame I that was unable to see the final arrivals at Cosford but work got in the way.

So goodbye Boxer, Cresta, Blackcat, although my favorite was used when the Polish Fitters visited Colt "Canopener, Trousers down in 5 mins" produced howls of laughter with us anoraks by the fence.

Good luck and best wishes to all the Jag Crews, Blunties and Lineys and I hope you get treated better in the future by their airships in the last month or two.


Clicker

[Charlie Griffiths]

Great photos Focks 2

Guess the SOPs changed for that one last landing...deploy the 'chute before touchdown? ;)

Still, what are they going to do, ground you? :}

I'm sure it was a sad day performing that duty boys. Good work. See you at the bash.

[Wader2]

CG, two streamed airborne. ED was fully streamed and EZ just streaming. EZ also marginally lower and nearer the piano keys. Guess it was the short runway.

Was that also a temporary RHAG team?

[Focks 2]

Shame I that was unable to see the final arrivals at Cosford but work got in the way.
All is not lost. I understand that nine more Jags are due into Cosford on the first week in June. Not sure which day. Maybe someone from 6 Sqn can post a message here before they set off. :)

Theres also the pink Jag: http://www.ukar.co.uk/cgi-bin/ukarboard/ikonboard.cgi?;act=ST;f=9;t=32039;st=0
Would be nice to catch her in the air.

Shemy. I don't think you'll see one at RIAT, but if there isn't at least one on static at the Cosford airshow I'll eat my boots. :)

[GWJPhantom]

Gents,

a little life left in the old girls yet, these caught in Wales today the 22nd,


http://hometown.aol.com/GWJPhantom/bWLCH+22-05-071.jpg

http://hometown.aol.com/GWJPhantom/bWLCH+22-05-073.jpg

http://hometown.aol.com/GWJPhantom/bWLCH+22-05-074.jpg

http://hometown.aol.com/GWJPhantom/bWLCH+22-05-075.jpg

cheers Gareth

[clicker]

Thanks Focks, will keep fingers crossed that its on one of my rest days.

Clicker

[MikeeB]

Can the RAF not get one to Waddington for the airshow? Such a shame.

[LOTA]

Four pages of very pleasing pictures of the dear old Jaguar 'through the ages' in the latest edition of RAF News which I saw today!

[Jaguar Pilot]

Best of Luck John.

JP

[Alber Ratman]

As part of the end of Jaguar celebrations, 6 have tied up with Command graphics to produce a brochure for the 29-30th weekend. OC6 has asked me to see if it was possible to complete a list of the Jaguar Sqn Commanders (including the OCU) and a Roll of honour to the aircrew and groundcrew who lost their lives being involved with the aircraft.

With the help of PPRuNe'rs I have a complete record of the 78 commanders of All Jaguar units... Thank You all

The roll of honour is complete!!

Thank you all. I will add list to thread when I have the time!!!

Alber

[Nick's Mates]

Do you need to know about the bosses of the Jaguar Training Flight as well?

[Alber Ratman]

Why not.....

However that would not be fair for the OC 1 and 2 sqns of JOCU and 226...

I will stick with Unit Commanders..... Sorry.

Everybody please Donate for Nick Lock....................

[Alber Ratman]

Infomation was taken off this site and cross checked with FS accident reports that are now on line.. This site was the one trawled for pre 1979.

The accidents on the list are the fatal ones that we do not have a name for.

Thanks for the info.. However PM is a better way of passing such info please. :ok:

Alber

[Herp]

27-Nov-1986 XX732 226OCU The USAF exchange pilot was killed.


I believe the pilot was Flt Lt Paul Nelson. He was killed and the American pilot (think he was a passenger rather than the exchange pilot - but could easily be wrong) survived. The ac hit some wires, rolled uncontrollably and Paul ejected out of limits hitting the ground pre 'chute deployment.

[Alber Ratman]

I believe the pilot was Flt Lt Paul Nelson. He was killed and the American pilot (think he was a passenger rather than the exchange pilot - but could easily be wrong) survived. The ac hit some wires, rolled uncontrollably and Paul ejected out of limits hitting the ground pre 'chute deployment.

Paul Nelson was on the Canopeners and the accident was in 1988.

the list refers to:

The only loss during 1986 was of GR.1A XX732/03 of 226 OCU, which crashed on Stock Hill, 11 miles SW of Hawick on November 27th. The USAF exchange pilot was killed

Please PM infomation...............

[Jaguar Pilot]

Alber Ratman,

29-Jul-1977 XX148 226 OCU 2 seater both fatal
27-Apr-1978 XX149 226 OCU two seater both fatal

It is possible that the instructor in one of these accidents
was John Rigby. If I remember it was a bad weather pull-up
with subsequent loss of control (disorientation?).

Some time after I left the OCU a dear friend was also killed.
It was a low level ejection outside the envelope.

His name was Ian (Idi) Hill.

Also Dave Plumbe of 31 - he and we were at Nellis at the time.

JP (ex 226 OCU)

[snapper41]

Alber

Check your PMs

[spekesoftly]

JP,
It is possible that the instructor in one of these accidents was John Rigby.John was an instructor on Jet Provosts at Linton, but at the time of his accident he was a student on the Jaguar OCU.

[Alber Ratman]

Thanks to everybody for the infomation already received.

The lis of Jag Cdr's is complete.

Roll of honour is complete...


Thanks again

Alber

Please donate for Cpl Nick Locks fight to live ...(see the airman denied ****** thread)

[helpmaboab]

You got it in a one'r I used to love the RAF and I suppose i still do but it is being systematically destroyed by clowns, what was the old saying from ww1 "Lions led by Donkeys" its so true still to this day.
:confused:

[Green Flash]

(Also posted on Jag Tails)

I see there will be a Jag at RIAT! According to the website QinetiQ are bringing the T2 (and an Alphajet). I trust the pilots will have a long hold by the happy snappers down at the east end; could this be the last public Jag appearance?

[Daf Hucker]

Alber,
Please check PMs

Daf

[OCCWMF]

1. I would like to ask for any Jag videos and pictures you have for a presentation at the disbandment. We would especially like any older jag pics including those of people who were on the Jag in RAFG. Please send them to [email protected] or post a link below. Any old sqn videos would be greatly appreciated as we can convert them to digital very easily. They will not be made public and may even be seen by the people in the pics/films themselves.

2. Any old Jag mates out there who were on any of the Jag sqns - please rack your brains for the sqn drink of choice, eg 6 Sqn - G+T:ok:, 41(F) - Seek and Destory (red aftershock + sambuca):eek:, 54(F) - blue and yellow...:yuk:

Memory jog - II(AC), 6, 11, 14, 16(R), 17, 20, 31, 41(F), 54(F), 226 OCU

Many thanks in advance....

[Mactor]

II(AC)'s drink was/is Ratzeputz. A rather spicy liquer, german I think, often spiced up with chillies, pepper etc. it was always given to new arrivals and visitors in a little mini tankard. The best technique was 'down in one'. I had quite a few over the years having visited II(AC) several times on Hawkeyes whilst serving on 41(F), and subsequently at the start of each of my 3 tours on II(AC)!

[OCCWMF]

Nice! Keep 'em coming!

[Green Flash]

Ratzeputz (http://www.schwarze-schlichte.de/start1.php?PHPSESSID=258f60ebebbe8d63b3fe4ea23abf427a&_katid=2&_subkatid=13&_sub2katid=28&_sub3katid=61) - the website!

[Bladdered]

Ratzeputz was not just a II(AC) sqn torture. I suffered one when I joined XV Sqn in early 80's - laced with lighter fuel apparently, spent whole of next day rushing to the heads in the PBF - there were 3 of us being inducted all suffered the same fate!

Many good mates on Jags over the years and worked with Tiger Tim at PTC .....that was an experience having known him previously as OC II (AC) Sqn.

Ed

[soprano54]

Gents talking about drinking is this still about, or was it binned when you left 'Colt'?:sad:

http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g266/andylynfisher58/002-4.jpg

[engoal]

If it's what I think it is, I played a very small part in its construction while languishing at a secret airbase in Turkey in 2000. The original version did not sport the 6/41/54 colour motif that your picture shows, but I think it may have has a few minarets and an Azam alarm clock as part of its decor.

[soprano54]

engoal I first set eyes on it towards the end of 02, I'm led to believe it was modified quite a few times over the years. The leather cushion in Sqn colours was added by members of 6 Sqn in 02, courtesy of 'Pop's Leather'! It was brought back to 'Colt' by 54(F) when they got kicked off that secret airbase and ended up in the 'Cockpit Bar', with a framed explanation put up next to it. It will be sad if it is was just 'magged to grid' when 'Colt' closed!:(

[Captain Kirk]

I'm pretty sure the bar is still with 6. We'll have to make sure it's out for the Farewell Bash. Get your responses back to the Sqn asap if you want to be there!

[OCCWMF]

clicker - in response to your PM - yes please to all!

[clicker]

OCCWMF,

Can you let me know any "deadlines". Ordered a piece of kit last week to make the job easier but its coming from the States. If the cutoff date is soon then I'll start the old system up although its a much slower process.

Cheers clicker

[OCCWMF]

As it's emails deadline is 28th June.

Cheers!

[Jackonicko]

But that would draw attention to this short-sighted decision, and to the attendant loss of capabilities.

Stupid boy!

[OC 6 Sqn]

6 Squadron disbanded on 31 May.

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p247/quinag/VixenBreak.jpg
This was, of course, a day of mixed emotion; while it was a wrench to surrender our Standard, I was immensely proud of the Squadron’s performance. Look here (http://www.ukar.co.uk/cgi-bin/ukarboard/ikonboard.cgi?;act=ST;f=9;t=32709) if you’re interested.


We now have a clear run at the Jag Farewell weekend though and I write to update all those that plan to attend and encourage any ex-Jag Mates who have yet to contact us to attend what looks to be shaping up as an epic event.

As a reminder, we are having a ‘Fly-In’ on Fri 29 Jun leading into a monumental Happy Hour.

Sat 30 Jun will be an Open/Families Day and in the evening is the Jag Farewell Ball in the Officers’ Mess and a HAS Bash for the best troops in the RAF, and their guests.

We are looking at over 300 attending the Ball at the moment, with more cheques arriving every day, but we need to finalise numbers soon. Accommodation is proving to be tight in the local area, not least because our weekend coincides with Waddington’s International Airshow so I really would encourage you to avoid leaving it to the last minute. If you are struggling to find accommodation then contact the Squadron as we have tentatively negotiated some additional accommodation about 25 mins away.

Once again, I look forward to seeing you at an occasion that will, I assure you, do justice to a Force that epitomises ‘Excellence’!

[TEEEJ]

Some more great shots can be found at


http://forums.airshows.co.uk/cgi-bin/ukarboard/ikonboard.cgi?;act=ST;f=9;t=32709

[monkeybumhead]

Had the 8 Jags come into DECAY Cossford today. Hoped for a better beat up of the airfield but was sadly let down. The damn spotters did their best to block the road from the train station to the museum though.

[A2QFI]

Great pictures and "The Boss" has a well earned collection of 'real' medals too!

[Joker1]

Monkey,

The Jag Force has worked too hard earning a reputation as consummate professionals to squander it trying to impress the likes of you. Landing safely on a 3700 ft runway might be regarded as quite impressive to a professional aviator.

And the 'damn spotters' have provided us with loyal and enthusiastic support which, by extension, supports the RAF and UK military as a whole at a time when we need all the public support we can get.

I suspect your arrogance is not matched by your experience - certainly not your judgement.:=

[UnderPowered]

Wise words, 2800kgs.....

[Gainesy]

The Boss" has a well earned collection of 'real' medals too!

And a "Commando" dagger (top of left sleeve), which is intriguing?:confused:

[stuka_w]

And a "Commando" dagger (top of left sleeve), which is intriguing
The Boss had a bit of time before taking command of 6, so he filled it by completing the all-arms commando course.

[OC 6 Sqn]

A final update.

All preparations are coming together – tribute to the superb team that I have.

We are expecting about 350 attendees at the Farewell Ball in the Officers’ Mess. I am conscious that many could not be certain of securing a free weekend when the original calling notice went out. We have deliberately catered for a few additional covers (I suspect that many will not be able to tear themselves away from chatting in the bar anyway) so that if you suddenly find that you are able to attend, against your original expectation, please do not hesitate to come along. We will accept cheques right up until Friday in preference to turning anyone away.

Equally, we still have access to accommodation if that presents a problem.

We hope that the HAS Bash, occurring simultaneously with the Farewell Ball, will now be a no cost event, but presently plan to levy £2 on entrance. Please note that no Public Money is being spent on any element of the Jaguar Farewell; a combination of some generous sponsorship and self-financing accounts for the Disbandment Parade, commemorative aircraft paint schemes, Enthusiasts’ Day, Families Day, HAS Bash and Ball.

I look forward to welcoming you next week.

[Phil_R]

Don't mean to hijack the thread, but this seems like the right place for what I hope is a reasonable question.

What actually happens to aircraft like this when they're taken out of service? I ask because as I recall someone's just had to spend about eleventy bazillion pounds restoring a Vulcan to flyable condition, and it would seem reasonable to preempt that sort of future concern by keeping a couple of example Jaguars, if not flyable, at least well-stored so they don't decay horribly.

I'd be the first to admit that I have only the sketchiest idea what this would involve, but it'd seem worth doing.

Phil

[engoal]

What actually happens to aircraft like this when they're taken out of service?

Phil R,

A perfectly reasonable question, and one which someone with connections to the Jag SA or DCAE might like to answer fully. However, as a starter, some of the last batch, which were fully serviceable GR3As or T4s at the moment that they arrived at Cosford, will have a reasonable number of flying hours, cycles and Fatigue Index left, on both structure (FI and fg hrs) and systems (fg hrs and cycles). These will be used in some instructional capacity, either as platforms upon which trainee technicians will hone their skills (under close supervision), or as taxying examples for said trainees to get used to being around moving, sucking and blowing fast jets with pointy and flappy bits that can ingest (OK, maybe not!), blow over (see previous), impale, bash or run over the unwary.

These have to be maintained to an standard sufficiently safe to merit pink-bodied instructors climbing in and taxying them about so, while they may not be flyable, they would be kept at a standard certainly equal to that of the jets at Bruntingthorpe etc and possibly slightly better. Now, I would not suggest for a second that this means they would be flyable, but many of the older aircraft on the display circuit these days have, in the past, been ground instructional airframes.

It therefore follows that, provided the standard of work carried out on them is up to current airworthiness standards, and an firm within the Design Approved Organisation Scheme or Maintenance Approved Organisation Scheme were prepared to underwrite that airworthiness to MoD and/or CAA requirements, it could be possible to get one airworthy in the future..................................Please:ok:

[Phil_R]

Why thankyou.

I suppose the more unfortunate question is what happens to the aircrew. No F-35s for them to train on yet, I suppose.

Phil

[Tombstone]

The guys will head through the Tiffi OCU just as soon as the spaces open. In the meantime, they should have still been flying the Jag IMHO.

[clicker]

Did you get the photo's I send the other day, if not I have the time to resend if you have time to deal with them.

Thanks clicker

[L J R]

To the guy that asked about keeping jets in a flyable condition for later historical / museum / airshow circuit / BBMF type flying.


One of the main problems (apart from the obvious hours/cycles etc to keep an airworthy piece) is the physical cost of storing airworthy aircraft - whilst maintaining the airworthiness of it. The bean counters could do a cost / Vs benefit analysis and come up with a 'Negative' value added for the effort. Therefore it would be up to some 'private' concern - ala Vulcan team. I have seen at least a dozen airframes retired from the air forces that I have served in - and every one of the die hard aircrew ask exactly the same question - Why cant we store one to fly later?. Well unfortunately part of the reason to 'scrap the fleet' was cost cutting related, and therefore if you wanted to keep one flying - most of the cost cutting is lost. Simple economics really - and normally private consortiums struggle to fund such a project - let least make a profit for the effort.

[Phil_R]

I'm fully aware that keeping them in a ready to go state is a big deal. I was thinking more that one or two should at least be kept out of the weather for future restoration efforts - but if they're going to be used as instructional items then that would surely qualify.

Phil

[7of9]

My Take on the Tour.
Typhoon Hangar:
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b106/kirksandall/JaguarDay049.jpg
BBMF Hangar:
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b106/kirksandall/JaguarDay067.jpg
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b106/kirksandall/JaguarDay063.jpg
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b106/kirksandall/JaguarDay054.jpg
The Jag Pan Tour:
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b106/kirksandall/JaguarDay173.jpg
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b106/kirksandall/JaguarDay131.jpg
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b106/kirksandall/JaguarDay122.jpg
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b106/kirksandall/JaguarDay119.jpg
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b106/kirksandall/JaguarDay113.jpg
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b106/kirksandall/JaguarDay103.jpg
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b106/kirksandall/JaguarDay092.jpg
The Jag Taxing out of the HAS:
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b106/kirksandall/JaguarDay224.jpg
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b106/kirksandall/JaguarDay231.jpg
The Pilot:
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b106/kirksandall/JaguarDay303.jpg
Jaguar back in it's HAS:
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b106/kirksandall/JaguarDay319.jpg
Many thanks to all at Coningsby who made this day Happen.
Hope you like my efforts.
Cheers Trev

[OCCWMF]

The last 3 have just left Coningsby for the last time:{

[splitbrain]

Last 3 just landed at Cosford (13:10L). Nice flyby by the final jet before she landed. Thats it then, all done :(

[Satellite_Driver]

...And an excellent final flypast at Wyton circa 1200, despite the best attempts of a rogue rainstorm to get in the way. The second pass low* over the DE&S Pavillions (I'm sure the resemblance to a lay-down attack was completely coincidental) set off a fair few alarms in the car park!

(*Not, I hasten to add, unduly so. But this is Wyton, where we're used to Tutors puttering around the circuit. Pointy things with reheat are quite exciting by our standards :) )

- SJB