Submitted by limacharli on 16 August, 2010 - 16:22.
I was an Armourer on Shiney Two at Laarbruch from April 1976 to October 1978 and enjoyed the aircraft immensley even though the recce pod was a sod to get on at times. Loading the cannon and wing stores was simple enough and at a decent height not like hand loading Harrier in the field. The aircraft performed well in the Recce role after the dash 104 engines were fitted. Originally designed as a fast jet trainer it was pressed into front line service until Tornado came along. Performed very well in the ground attack role in the first Gulf war and with the laser designator could self designate and unload pave laser 1000lb stores. In my opinion a lovely jet to work on once you got used to its little quirks.
I always feel a slight connection between myself and the Jaguar. We both started our careers in the RAF, at Lossiemouth, at roughly the same time, and we've both been retired. Oh well.
Comments
Re: RAF Jaguar at Valley 1993
I was an Armourer on Shiney Two at Laarbruch from April 1976 to October 1978 and enjoyed the aircraft immensley even though the recce pod was a sod to get on at times. Loading the cannon and wing stores was simple enough and at a decent height not like hand loading Harrier in the field. The aircraft performed well in the Recce role after the dash 104 engines were fitted. Originally designed as a fast jet trainer it was pressed into front line service until Tornado came along. Performed very well in the ground attack role in the first Gulf war and with the laser designator could self designate and unload pave laser 1000lb stores. In my opinion a lovely jet to work on once you got used to its little quirks.
Affinity
I always feel a slight connection between myself and the Jaguar. We both started our careers in the RAF, at Lossiemouth, at roughly the same time, and we've both been retired. Oh well.