Big cats bow out!

[IanG]

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

[LTFT5]

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

[slogen51]

Smashing set of pictures

The Jag really does look quite menacing close up which of course it was as a nuclear tactical strike aircraft

[AshBailey]

Beautiful photos of a beautiful aircraft.

Thanks so much for posting.

[IanG]

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.

[Jackaroo]

Cracking piccies of a beautiful aircraft...nice work

[grumpy616]

[paddyboy]

O-M-G

My garage needs to be a TARDIS to fit all those poor little felines in

Thanks for posting

Paddyboy

[C24]

Thank you for posting such a nice set.

[GhostFlight91]

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

[F3]

Worth the wait. Lovely set. Do you have a any close ups of Spotty's fin with all the Sqn. badges?

[jonf45]

Stunning set, great shots. Spotty is still my favourite paint job

[Johnng737]

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

[Sparkjeff]

Excellent Ian...just seen these, I`m in the crowd...far left obscured by another tog...
...all the best Jeff

[reheat module]

Puuuuurrrrrrfect.

[alain BArtier]

Beautifull !

[IanG]

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