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Jaguars At RAF Cranwell

Posted by: Fast Air Photography    Tags:  DCAE Cranwell, Harrier, Jaguar, Mission Marks, QinetiQ, RAF Cranwell    Posted date:  May 23, 2011  |  3 Comments

The short URL of the present article is: http://www.fast-air.co.uk/DpG70
Jaguars at RAF Cranwell

A return visit to DCAE Cranwell to catch the last operating Jaguars in the RAF being was meant to give me another attempt to shoot them against blue skies after the mixed weather of my previous visit in August last year. Sadly the weather was worse! Thick cloud cover and a wind that was over 40 knots greeted me when I arrived. This was the final week of the Aerosystems (AS) training course for RAF Engineering Officers and there was due to be a number of simulated sorties. The first sortie of three Jaguars got under way despite the weather but after they returned the wind rose above 40 knots and past the limit that the cockpits of the Jaguar can be opened in causing operations to be halted.

RAF Jaguar GR1 XX821 Photo 1 RAF Jaguar GR1 XZ358 Photo 3
RAF Jaguar T2 XX827 Photo 1 RAF Jaguar GR1 XZ358 Photo 1

Two of the Jaguars were operated with Carrier Bomb Light Stores (CBLS) under their wings and the final Jaguar was operated with and AN/ALQ-101 ECM Pod, a Phimat Chaff Dispenser and a TIALD Pod. Upon returning to the pan the final Jaguar was halted. Whilst none of the weapon systems are live all operations are done as if they were. Whilst the engineering officer made the weapon systems safe the pilot was instructed to place his hands on his head to ensure none of the weapon systems could be activated by mistake.

RAF Jaguar GR1 XZ358 Photo 2

With the wind halting any further sorties I had the chance to look around the hangar and buildings. The hangar had XX965 with its ‘Saint’ logo on the tail. The ‘Saint’ logo is the adopted logo of 16(R) Sqn due to their formation at Saint Omer. 16(R) Sqn are a former Jaguar squadron and are also based at Cranwell now training pilots in Elementary Flying Training (EFT) on the Grob Tutor.

More interestingly was ZB615 in its QinetiQ Raspberry Ripple scheme. Finally running again after two and half years of work and will be joining the fleet of Jaguars as soon as it has a log book. The intention is to keep it in its current paint scheme and not paint it black like the others, although it will need a touch up when funds allow.

Also of note was Jaguar XX747 that is still in desert camo and is sporting mission marks from the Gulf War and Harrier XZ132 that took part in the Falklands conflict (although it only ever got as far as Ascention due to a fuel leak that that couldn’t be fixed).

RAF Jaguar T2 XX827 Photo 1 RAF Jaguar T2 XX827 Photo 2 RAF Jaguar T2 XX827 Photo 3
RAF Jaguar GR1 XX747 Photo 1 RAF JaguarGR1 XX747 Photo 2 RAF JaguarGR1 XX747 Photo 1 RAF Harrier GR3 XZ131 Photo 1 RAF Harrier GR3 XZ131 Photo 2

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3 Comments for Jaguars At RAF Cranwell

Russ Peart

For your info… Jaguar XX 747 is the aircraft which holds the Edinburgh to London speed record.

I was the display pilot for the Jaguar in 1977 and used XX 747 for most of the displays that year. I flew the record breaking flight on 9th September, taking off from Leuchars and landing at Benson.
The flight was ratified by the Royal Aero Club and appeared in the Guinness book of records.
I have the Certificate of the record signed by The Prince of Wales.
I was surprised and delighted, to discover the aircraft still exists.
Must go and see it again after all these years… 37!

Sqn Ldr Russ Peart RAF Retired

Reply

    Fast Air Photography

    I wasn’t aware XX747 had an interesting past, thanks for taking the time to post! I believe it is still located in the same room at Cranwell but the other Jaguars have now been moved to Cosford. It is a bit of a puzzle on how they got the Jaguar into the room in the first place as there is only a standard sized door into the room. I hope you get the chance to visit it.

    Reply

      Russ Peart

      Perhaps it’s still there because they cannot get it out.
      Does anyone have a contact I could call to possibly organise a visit? I hope it never gets scrapped. I would take on ownership if it became an option , to preserve it.
      Russ Peart

      Reply



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