Did you know that registration to Fighter Control is completely free and brings you lots of added features? Find out more....
Big cats bow out!
Big cats bow out!
Well, it's only taken me 18 months to finally get round to editing these images from August 2016! I was lucky enough to spend a morning at RAF Cosford to view Jaguars running under their own power for the very last time. The airframes continue to be used as instructional platforms but will no longer run, thus ending another chapter in the life of the Jaguar in RAF service.
We started off photographing a few static airframes before three GR3s taxied out onto the apron and completed several circuits, allowing the small crowd to get shots from every achievable angle. While they parked up adjacent to the static aircraft, some T4s repeated the same procedure before parking up. The crowd were then invited to get up close and personal and I managed to take a seat in the desert pink painted GR3 - I felt like I was 9 again but more like 59 trying to get out! We were then treated to another ground display with all aircraft on the apron before the aircraft were given a water salute upon returning to their hangars.
The crew at Cosford must be applauded for providing a perfect event with access as close as you would want it with plenty of time and so many photographic opportunities. The only issue I had was deciding where to go and in YouTube footage you can see many spectators - including me - dashing from one side to the other, there was so much to photograph! It was great of the station and RAF to celebrate the Jaguar and as it's one of my favourite aircraft, I make no apologies for the number of images! There are plenty more on Flickr too here.
Thanks for looking!
1
Sepecat Jaguar GR.3 XZ117 by Ian Garfield, on Flickr
2
Sepecat Jaguar GR3A XX119 AI "Spotty" by Ian Garfield, on Flickr
3
Sepecat Jaguar GR3A XX119 AI "Spotty" by Ian Garfield, on Flickr
4
Sepecat Jaguar GR.3 XX725 by Ian Garfield, on Flickr
5
Sepecat Jaguar GR.3 XX725 by Ian Garfield, on Flickr
6
Taxi by Ian Garfield, on Flickr
7
The dirty end by Ian Garfield, on Flickr
8
Sepecat Jaguar GR.3 XX725 by Ian Garfield, on Flickr
9
Sepecat Jaguar GR3A XX119 AI "Spotty" by Ian Garfield, on Flickr
10
Sepecat Jaguar GR3A XX119 AI "Spotty" by Ian Garfield, on Flickr
11
Sepecat Jaguar GR3A XX119 AI "Spotty" by Ian Garfield, on Flickr
12
Sepecat Jaguar GR3A XX119 AI "Spotty" by Ian Garfield, on Flickr
12a
Sepecat Jaguar GR3A XX119 AI "Spotty" by Ian Garfield, on Flickr
14
Big cats prowling by Ian Garfield, on Flickr
15
Sepecat Jaguar GR3A XX119 AI "Spotty" by Ian Garfield, on Flickr
16
Sepecat Jaguar GR.3 XX725 by Ian Garfield, on Flickr
17
Sepecat Jaguar GR.3 XX725 by Ian Garfield, on Flickr
18
Sepecat Jaguar GR.3 XX725 by Ian Garfield, on Flickr
19
Sepecat Jaguar GR3A XX119 AI "Spotty" by Ian Garfield, on Flickr
20
Sepecat Jaguar GR.3 XX725 by Ian Garfield, on Flickr
21
Sepecat Jaguar GR3A XX119 AI "Spotty" by Ian Garfield, on Flickr
22
Sepecat Jaguar GR3A XX119 AI "Spotty" by Ian Garfield, on Flickr
23
Sepecat Jaguar T.4 XX835 by Ian Garfield, on Flickr
24
Sepecat Jaguar T.4 XX847 by Ian Garfield, on Flickr
25
Sepecat Jaguar T.4 XX835 by Ian Garfield, on Flickr
26
Sepecat Jaguar T.4 XX835 by Ian Garfield, on Flickr
27
Sepecat Jaguar T.4 XX847 by Ian Garfield, on Flickr
28
Sepecat Jaguar T.4 XX847 by Ian Garfield, on Flickr
29
Sepecat Jaguar T.4 XX835 by Ian Garfield, on Flickr
30
Spotty by Ian Garfield, on Flickr
31
The crews by Ian Garfield, on Flickr
32
Sepecat Jaguar GR3A XX119 AI "Spotty" by Ian Garfield, on Flickr
33
The office by Ian Garfield, on Flickr
34
The business end by Ian Garfield, on Flickr
35
Sepecat Jaguar T.4 XX835 by Ian Garfield, on Flickr
36
Sepecat Jaguar GR3A XX119 AI "Spotty" by Ian Garfield, on Flickr
37
Sepecat Jaguar T.4 XX847 by Ian Garfield, on Flickr
38
Sepecat Jaguar T.4 XX835 by Ian Garfield, on Flickr
39
Sepecat Jaguar T.4 XX847 by Ian Garfield, on Flickr
40
Big cats on the prowl by Ian Garfield, on Flickr
41
Sepecat Jaguar GR3A XX119 AI "Spotty" by Ian Garfield, on Flickr
42
Sepecat Jaguar GR.3 XX725 by Ian Garfield, on Flickr
43
Sepecat Jaguar GR.3 XX725 by Ian Garfield, on Flickr
44
Sepecat Jaguar GR.3 XX725 by Ian Garfield, on Flickr
45
Sepecat Jaguar T.4 XX835 by Ian Garfield, on Flickr
46
Sepecat Jaguar GR3A XX119 AI "Spotty" by Ian Garfield, on Flickr
47
Sepecat Jaguar GR3A XX119 AI "Spotty" by Ian Garfield, on Flickr
We started off photographing a few static airframes before three GR3s taxied out onto the apron and completed several circuits, allowing the small crowd to get shots from every achievable angle. While they parked up adjacent to the static aircraft, some T4s repeated the same procedure before parking up. The crowd were then invited to get up close and personal and I managed to take a seat in the desert pink painted GR3 - I felt like I was 9 again but more like 59 trying to get out! We were then treated to another ground display with all aircraft on the apron before the aircraft were given a water salute upon returning to their hangars.
The crew at Cosford must be applauded for providing a perfect event with access as close as you would want it with plenty of time and so many photographic opportunities. The only issue I had was deciding where to go and in YouTube footage you can see many spectators - including me - dashing from one side to the other, there was so much to photograph! It was great of the station and RAF to celebrate the Jaguar and as it's one of my favourite aircraft, I make no apologies for the number of images! There are plenty more on Flickr too here.
Thanks for looking!
1
Sepecat Jaguar GR.3 XZ117 by Ian Garfield, on Flickr
2
Sepecat Jaguar GR3A XX119 AI "Spotty" by Ian Garfield, on Flickr
3
Sepecat Jaguar GR3A XX119 AI "Spotty" by Ian Garfield, on Flickr
4
Sepecat Jaguar GR.3 XX725 by Ian Garfield, on Flickr
5
Sepecat Jaguar GR.3 XX725 by Ian Garfield, on Flickr
6
Taxi by Ian Garfield, on Flickr
7
The dirty end by Ian Garfield, on Flickr
8
Sepecat Jaguar GR.3 XX725 by Ian Garfield, on Flickr
9
Sepecat Jaguar GR3A XX119 AI "Spotty" by Ian Garfield, on Flickr
10
Sepecat Jaguar GR3A XX119 AI "Spotty" by Ian Garfield, on Flickr
11
Sepecat Jaguar GR3A XX119 AI "Spotty" by Ian Garfield, on Flickr
12
Sepecat Jaguar GR3A XX119 AI "Spotty" by Ian Garfield, on Flickr
12a
Sepecat Jaguar GR3A XX119 AI "Spotty" by Ian Garfield, on Flickr
14
Big cats prowling by Ian Garfield, on Flickr
15
Sepecat Jaguar GR3A XX119 AI "Spotty" by Ian Garfield, on Flickr
16
Sepecat Jaguar GR.3 XX725 by Ian Garfield, on Flickr
17
Sepecat Jaguar GR.3 XX725 by Ian Garfield, on Flickr
18
Sepecat Jaguar GR.3 XX725 by Ian Garfield, on Flickr
19
Sepecat Jaguar GR3A XX119 AI "Spotty" by Ian Garfield, on Flickr
20
Sepecat Jaguar GR.3 XX725 by Ian Garfield, on Flickr
21
Sepecat Jaguar GR3A XX119 AI "Spotty" by Ian Garfield, on Flickr
22
Sepecat Jaguar GR3A XX119 AI "Spotty" by Ian Garfield, on Flickr
23
Sepecat Jaguar T.4 XX835 by Ian Garfield, on Flickr
24
Sepecat Jaguar T.4 XX847 by Ian Garfield, on Flickr
25
Sepecat Jaguar T.4 XX835 by Ian Garfield, on Flickr
26
Sepecat Jaguar T.4 XX835 by Ian Garfield, on Flickr
27
Sepecat Jaguar T.4 XX847 by Ian Garfield, on Flickr
28
Sepecat Jaguar T.4 XX847 by Ian Garfield, on Flickr
29
Sepecat Jaguar T.4 XX835 by Ian Garfield, on Flickr
30
Spotty by Ian Garfield, on Flickr
31
The crews by Ian Garfield, on Flickr
32
Sepecat Jaguar GR3A XX119 AI "Spotty" by Ian Garfield, on Flickr
33
The office by Ian Garfield, on Flickr
34
The business end by Ian Garfield, on Flickr
35
Sepecat Jaguar T.4 XX835 by Ian Garfield, on Flickr
36
Sepecat Jaguar GR3A XX119 AI "Spotty" by Ian Garfield, on Flickr
37
Sepecat Jaguar T.4 XX847 by Ian Garfield, on Flickr
38
Sepecat Jaguar T.4 XX835 by Ian Garfield, on Flickr
39
Sepecat Jaguar T.4 XX847 by Ian Garfield, on Flickr
40
Big cats on the prowl by Ian Garfield, on Flickr
41
Sepecat Jaguar GR3A XX119 AI "Spotty" by Ian Garfield, on Flickr
42
Sepecat Jaguar GR.3 XX725 by Ian Garfield, on Flickr
43
Sepecat Jaguar GR.3 XX725 by Ian Garfield, on Flickr
44
Sepecat Jaguar GR.3 XX725 by Ian Garfield, on Flickr
45
Sepecat Jaguar T.4 XX835 by Ian Garfield, on Flickr
46
Sepecat Jaguar GR3A XX119 AI "Spotty" by Ian Garfield, on Flickr
47
Sepecat Jaguar GR3A XX119 AI "Spotty" by Ian Garfield, on Flickr
Re: Big cats bow out!
Hi Ian,
I was lucky enough to attend the event and agree with your sentiments.
Top quality images, too many I like to pick an absolute favourite.
As you say there was so many photographic opportunities but for half an hour I put the camera down so I could truly experience the event for noise, sight and smell.
A great day truly well captured, thank you sharing.
All the best
Andy
I was lucky enough to attend the event and agree with your sentiments.
Top quality images, too many I like to pick an absolute favourite.
As you say there was so many photographic opportunities but for half an hour I put the camera down so I could truly experience the event for noise, sight and smell.
A great day truly well captured, thank you sharing.
All the best
Andy
“Live in the sunshine, swim the sea, drink the wild air.”
-
- Moderator
- Posts: 49472
- Joined: Mon Jun 10, 2013 8:11 am
- Location: Norfolk - Mundford - YG-BSM
Re: Big cats bow out!
Smashing set of pictures
The Jag really does look quite menacing close up which of course it was as a nuclear tactical strike aircraft
The Jag really does look quite menacing close up which of course it was as a nuclear tactical strike aircraft
Re: Big cats bow out!
Beautiful photos of a beautiful aircraft.
Thanks so much for posting.
Thanks so much for posting.
Re: Big cats bow out!
Thanks for the comments! Really enjoyed the day and I did indeed take some time to savour the moment, surely something not to be repeated.
Re: Big cats bow out!
Cracking piccies of a beautiful aircraft...nice work
Re: Big cats bow out!
GRIM REAPERS SUPPORTER
Re: Big cats bow out!
O-M-G
My garage needs to be a TARDIS to fit all those poor little felines in
Thanks for posting
Paddyboy
My garage needs to be a TARDIS to fit all those poor little felines in
Thanks for posting
Paddyboy
Re: Big cats bow out!
Thank you for posting such a nice set.
C24.
493d/48th - Grim Reapers Supporter.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/charlie-two-four/ FuzzyFastjetFotos, incorporating "HazyHelos"
There's no "go-round" in a glider.
493d/48th - Grim Reapers Supporter.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/charlie-two-four/ FuzzyFastjetFotos, incorporating "HazyHelos"
There's no "go-round" in a glider.
- GhostFlight91
- Posts: 4759
- Joined: Thu Jul 18, 2013 7:22 pm
- Location: Lincoln
Re: Big cats bow out!
Nice selection Ian. We must of been stood side by side at some point! Infact i am in one of your pictures on your Flickr acount
Re: Big cats bow out!
Worth the wait. Lovely set. Do you have a any close ups of Spotty's fin with all the Sqn. badges?
Re: Big cats bow out!
Stunning set, great shots. Spotty is still my favourite paint job
My aircraft photos:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jonf45sphotos
My RAF Chivenor group
http://www.flickr.com/groups/rafchivenor
My vids
http://www.youtube.com/jonf45
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jonf45sphotos
My RAF Chivenor group
http://www.flickr.com/groups/rafchivenor
My vids
http://www.youtube.com/jonf45
Re: Big cats bow out!
Superb set Ian, looked like you had a great day and I wish I was there!! Your pics brought back lots of great memories of visits to Coltishall
Thanks for sharing
John
Thanks for sharing
John
Re: Big cats bow out!
Excellent Ian...just seen these, I`m in the crowd...far left obscured by another tog...
...all the best Jeff
...all the best Jeff
- reheat module
- Posts: 2912
- Joined: Sun Oct 04, 2009 4:59 pm
- Location: Often UK
-
- Posts: 112
- Joined: Sun Nov 05, 2017 1:43 pm
- Contact:
Re: Big cats bow out!
Beautifull !
Re: Big cats bow out!
Thanks for all the comments, much appreciated! It's nice to get a shot with some of you in too!! I will be there at the Threshold.aero shoot in March if anyone else will be?
F3, I managed to grab this one:
Sepecat Jaguar GR3A XX119 AI "Spotty" by Ian Garfield, on Flickr
F3, I managed to grab this one:
Sepecat Jaguar GR3A XX119 AI "Spotty" by Ian Garfield, on Flickr
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 25 guests