Jaguar Spotting

[jaguar00]

Does anyone know what serial wore Jaguar "Thunderbird One". It is second Jag from Udbina attack - 21st Nov 1994.
First Jag was 54sq XZ375 GR Veggie One.
It must be 54sq too.
http://img47.imageshack.us/img47/936/thunderyh0.jpg
Thank you.
Radek

[Kitbag]

The operation occurred whilst 54 Sqn were manning the base at GDC. TB 1 was flown by the Boss (a real gentleman as were all of 54s bosses in my time there), and Veggie 1 was a tall F/L who later moved to TP duties I think. Can't remember which two airframes they actually were. The artwork was done in a couple of hours I think by a talented rigger Cpl (at the time) who also used to do caricature drawings for people as they left. Poor guy ended up on Wokkas eventually:E

[jaguar00]

If it was flown by the Boss - it could be XZ112 GA. Maybe
Radek

[effects]

Radek,
it was XZ367/GP, I know because I was that rigger on 54(F), Kitbag you are too kind and I am still in darkest Hants on Wokkas!:(

[jaguar00]

Thank you very much for your info.
But I do not understand. What did you mean "I am still in darkest Hants on Wokkas" ?

How long was the artwork on Jag?

This foto is from 1995
http://img515.imageshack.us/img515/644/jaguar54sqxz367gpartf19zz4.jpg

Thanks again.

Radek

[Archimedes]

Radek - the rough translation is that he is now based in the county of Hampshire (abbreviated to 'Hants'), working on the RAF Chinook fleet.

[Rigga]

I think he's right - Odium is "the Darkest" part of Hants.
- Nice Artwork, by the way.

[jaguar00]

to Archimedes: thank you for your explanation.

Veggie One is more famous but Thunderbird One not. I have seen one shot only in International Air Power Review, vol 17, page 70, article by Jon Lake without details.
I love Jaguar artworks, sharkmouth etc.

Radek
http://sepecat.info/

[Kitbag]

FX nice to see you're still about. I thought you managed to get some photos taken at the time?

Jag 00/Radek, I think the base paint on the aircraft at the time was a temporary finish called ARTF- Alkaline Resistant Temporary Finish, although it was grey and not the more familiar pink of the Gulf War. ARTF did not wear well and was very rough to the touch. The ac gained a distinctly tatty appearence (even for the RAF!) quite rapidly. As such it was washed off when the aircraft returned from its tour of duty. At the time, because of maintenance considerations that would be probably no more than about 9 months. The ARTF was only applied when required and usually covered Sqn markings as in your photo. When the two tone permanent grey finish was later adopted, the aircraft sported full colour sqn markings and black serial numbers/identity letters.

[jaguar00]

Here is a part of photo XZ367 from July 1995. You can see the rest of nose art Thunderbird One. Red top of a rocket.
http://img177.imageshack.us/img177/5073/tb1nq7.jpg
Radek
http://sepecat.info

[jaguar00]

Does anybody know more about marking bellow the cockpit?
Jaguar 54sq XX725 GU ARTF

http://img511.imageshack.us/img511/2300/markinggugw2.jpg

More photos by Keith Blincow:
http://sepecat.info/images/22-blincow2/index.php?img=./bl-01.jpg&dalsi=16&folder=./
http://sepecat.info/images/22-blincow2/index.php?img=./bl-02.jpg&dalsi=16&folder=./

Thank you.
Radek
http://sepecat.info/

[effects]

That is 41's cross, below the bomb markings. As it is a 54(F) jet I guess the mark was put there while being operated in theatre by 41.

[A2QFI]

Agreed. Cross of Lorraine (spelling?) is part of the coat of arms, blazon or whatever of 41 Squadron

[snapper41]

The double-armed cross (of Lorraine) comes from the town coat-of-arms of St Omer, where 41(F) Sqn was formed in 1916. The cross was incorporated into the Sqn's badge, which was granted royal approval in 1937.

Ex-41 history officer!

[jaguar00]

Is it bomb markings? I am not sure... but I agree with Cross of Lorraine (a part of 41sq badge).

http://img168.imageshack.us/img168/778/lorrba2.jpg

The Jag was in Gioa Del Colle I think.

Radek
http://sepecat.info/

[EdHunter]

Sorry it's a bit late and to be posting this as a guest.
The Lightning marks were put there by a friend of mine when we were both on 6 Sqn. 6 were deployed at short notice during Sep/Oct '95 to GDC and we were to be spiking for the Harriers of 4 Sqn, my friend Cpl G Taylor came up with the design as mission markings and applied them as and when.

[Mowgli]

Happy Days!:)