On this day in history

[KarlADrage]

Twelve months ago today the final three Jaguars in RAF service bowed out. They were delivered to DCAE Cosford.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v473/KarlADrage/070702%20Cosford/IMG_7084-1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v473/KarlADrage/070702%20Cosford/IMG_7092-1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v473/KarlADrage/070702%20Cosford/IMG_0021-1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v473/KarlADrage/070702%20Cosford/IMG_0039.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v473/KarlADrage/070702%20Cosford/IMG_0045-1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v473/KarlADrage/070702%20Cosford/IMG_0048-1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v473/KarlADrage/070702%20Cosford/IMG_7107-1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v473/KarlADrage/070702%20Cosford/IMG_7112.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v473/KarlADrage/070702%20Cosford/IMG_7135.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v473/KarlADrage/070702%20Cosford/IMG_7158-1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v473/KarlADrage/070702%20Cosford/IMG_7165-1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v473/KarlADrage/070702%20Cosford/IMG_7181-1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v473/KarlADrage/070702%20Cosford/IMG_0087-1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v473/KarlADrage/070702%20Cosford/IMG_0105.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v473/KarlADrage/070702%20Cosford/IMG_7249-1.jpg

It doesn't seem possible that this was a year ago, but I still feel incredibly lucky to have been able to have spent so much time with 6 Sqn as they wound down, and I hope that 12 months on life is treating every one of them well.

Thanks to Wg Cdr John "JS" Sullivan, Sqn Ldr Dick Delaney and SATCO at Cosford for helping make it all possible.

The full report can be found on my website:
DCAE Cosford - 02/07/2007 (http://www.karladrage.co.uk/cosford070702.html)

[noregrets]

Beautiful pics Karl, VMT - love the paint scheme on the Boss' jet.

Q for the forum: brake chute before wheels on deck? Never seen it before so I'm curious to know whether this was a permissible Jag SOP or a final flourish...

[PPRuNe Pop]

Superb pictures Karl, thank you for putting them here.

But I'll take a bet that some of them adorn the walls at home as well as where they hang their hats now. :ok:

[Jackonicko]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v613/Jackonicko/2Jags.png

[peppermint_jam]

Some great photos there Karl.

Just to add something, these Aircraft have not been left to die at Cosford. They are on the War reserve and will remain so for another 9 years. This means that they can have nothing removed from them, they are not Christmas trees, the engines are run by the Instructors at Cosford at least once every 28 days, they are very well looked after by the ATSC staff. They are at present trying to get authroity to live taxy them to train people in flight line operations. Whilst It is sad to see the Jag fleet retired from active service, they are still cared for and have become invaluable training assets to the RAF.

Who knows, with Cosford moving to Wales soon, maybe one way ferry flights might be on the cards.....


Got to have a dream right!!

[Bob Viking]

Bally heroes, one and all!
BV:ok:
PS. No regrets: what do you think?!

[Melchett01]

Cracking photos - I did wonder about hitting the chute early on that one shot. Shame the Jaguar is no longer playing, but the writing was on the wall as soon as the decision was made to close UK ops in Incirlik in 03.

Had a blast working with the Jag guys then, and yes it may be a bit wheezy in warm weather with a war load, but the guys were a really sound bunch. If just half of them have gone to Typhoons, then that fleet will be in good hands.

[noregrets]

BV - I now know exactly what to think, because Karl was kind enough to PM me an explanation - unlike you! :ok:

[TEEEJ]

Superb, Karl. Great seeing them again!

:ok: :)

Cheers

TJ

[radar101]

Very prudent at Cosford - short runway, ditch at far end. You should have seen the Vulcan land there in the early 80s - the brakes were steaming!

[peppermint_jam]

Saw the following thread on one of the other Forums and thought i'd post the link here.

http://www.pprune.org/forums/aviation-history-nostalgia/333137-black-cats.html#post4220523

I think Black would suit the Jag!

[Alber Ratman]

And fly to St Athan they won't.

All the airframes are overdue maintenance varying from Primary Star onwards due to time. In 5 years they will mostly require Majors (time limited).

BV, hope all is well!:ok:

[kokpit]

Thanks Karl, both for the pics and the reminder, of just how much I miss the 'ol girls.

I started my RAF career in 1980 at Coltishall, spending time in MCF and on 54 Sqn, followed by a 3 year tour at Brüggen.

I met some very fine guys there, both aircrew and groundcrew, a few of which are unfortunately no longer with us.

Jags were probably the best introduction to the airforce that I (or anyone) could have wished for, god bless them!

Cheers.

[KarlADrage]

Thanks for the responses all.

I was fortunate enough to visit DCAE Cosford yesterday just as 'AI' was about to be ground run. Fantastic to hear the engines spooling up once more.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v473/KarlADrage/080715%20Cosford/IMG_2844.jpg

:ok:

Special thanks to Sqn Ldrs Graham Lee and Dick Delaney for making it possible.

[BluntM8]

Get them flying again!

Please.....

:{

[Alber Ratman]

Karl, thanks for putting up the picture of the Spotty one. Was SW running it?

BluntM8, rumours are someone has brought a kite or two and is doing some research..

[Green Flash]

Why not flog off the Alpha Jets, send the two Hunters back to their happy retirement and use the Jags as trials jobs?

[Alber Ratman]

Cos the Jags are not particulary good trial aircraft!:eek:

(apart from at night!:ok:)

[Green Flash]

OK, not arguing, but why?

[Alber Ratman]

Don't like high Alpha for a start!:ok:

[Green Flash]

Ah, yes, that would be a challenge! Ta.