Coningsby 'Jags'

[3Greens]

Mention Coningsby and the usual topics are Vulcans, Phantoms, Tornadoes and Typhoons. However for just over a year the base was home to the Jaguar fleet which sadly had been 'evicted' from Coltishall once the MOD/Crown Estates had accelerated the station closure to December 2006.
Last one out 'turn the lights off' fell to Jaguar XZ112 54 Squadron which departed 3rd April 2006.
I found as few shots of their arrival taken on 1st April 2006 after the jets had taken part in a disbandment flyover at Coltishall and the following day, the 2nd, were out in number. 6 Squadron finally disbanded on 31st May 2007
Great and effective little jets sadly missed, I know for Paddy so hope these are a good memory

There are actually 8 of the 11 in the flypast inbound here










and taxiing out on the 2nd

[Mustang531]

Great shots, thanks for sharing this with us. A sadly missed type.

[paddyboy]

Hi Keith

Stalky little cats and Scottow crash gate

Many a happy hour spent with scanner in hand for many years

Thanks for posting and best regards, matey

Paddyboy

[Steven]

Posting pornography is not allowed on this forum!!

[F3]

An all too brief, but interesting, period in the Station's history. Think I'm right in saying that it was when the greatest diversity of types was based there; Harriers, Jags, Tornados (of both marks) as well as Typhoons. Remember attending the Spotters Day it hosted on the eve of the Families Day back in '06 when there were also visitors in attendance like a Danish F-16 and the F-86 Sabre.

[Weazel69]

An all too brief, but interesting, period in the Station's history. Think I'm right in saying that it was when the greatest diversity of types was based there; Harriers, Jags, Tornados (of both marks) as well as Typhoons. Remember attending the Spotters Day it hosted on the eve of the Families Day back in '06 when there were also visitors in attendance like a Danish F-16 and the F-86 Sabre.

WHAT ABOUT the PHANTOM's.??? - It was the Main Starting Base for that Type and involved the OCU - 6 SQUADRON - 54 SQUADRON

[Nighthawke]

But not at the same time as the other types above, which is the point of the post.

[Weazel69]

But not at the same time as the other types above, which is the point of the post.

Well there were neither Harriers or Tornado GR's based there either only the ADV version - F.2/F.3

On a footnote to you 3Greens - yes you are correct in saying that the Last Jaguar Out was GR.3A - XZ112 But it was in Special Tail marking's with the Initials GW on the nwd, which stood for the then Base Commander Graham Wright
54 Squadron by then had disbanded as they stood down 12.03.2005

The Actual Last Military Flight go's to A-109E - ZR323 - 32 ( The Royal ) Flight when it was the transport for the Locking of the Gates - 30.11.2006

[Bilvo]

But not at the same time as the other types above, which is the point of the post.

Well there were neither Harriers or Tornado GR's based there either only the ADV version - F.2/F.3

On a footnote to you 3Greens - yes you are correct in saying that the Last Jaguar Out was GR.3A - XZ112 But it was in Special Tail marking's with the Initials GW on the nwd, which stood for the then Base Commander Graham Wright
54 Squadron by then had disbanded as they stood down 12.03.2005

The Actual Last Military Flight go's to A-109E - ZR323 - 32 ( The Royal ) Flight when it was the transport for the Locking of the Gates - 30.11.2006

Er yes there were with 41 TES Sqn in 2006 - Tornado GR.4, Harrier GR.7/9/9A along with Typhoon's... at the same time as the last Jaguars.

[Vulcanone]

Weazel69
The Fast Jet Weapons Operational Evaluation Unit moved to Coningsby from Boscombe Down with Jaguars Harriers and Tornado GR.

It then added the F.3 OEU into the mix, taking on 41 Sqns number plate. And operated a Jaguar for at least 6 months after 6 Squadron retired theirs (Although it may have spent a fair bit of time at Boscombe Down from memory)

[3Greens]

Thanks Weazel69 for the additional info on the departure and the shutdown, didn't know any of that.

On arrival at Coningsby the 41 Squadron marked Jaguars were integrated into the 6 Squadron fleet for the remainder of their 'lifetime'.
41 Squadron had originally been tasked with recce ops, initially with the Phantom but after some restructuring the Jaguar was the chosen one for the task and brillliant too. The squadron was eventually re-tasked with testing and evaluating weapons and systems (under various names) and as thus worked with Tornado GR.4 and Harrier GR.9) and to this day continues with the Typhoon.
To add to Bilvo's comment here's a couple from my files

[Unknown74]

Talking of Jaguars, my biggest regret was we were on Holiday in the Area - went to Mildenhall, Lakenheath and Duxford as well as visiting a family friend near Cottesmore (Cottesmore was on a Sunday so nothing about) in 1988 and actually passed Coltishall and there was a Jaguar parked by one of the hangars but for some reason didn't get a picture or a serial number (big mistake I know!) Unfortunately for me as we were leaving - can't remember where we were staying unfortunately something tells me it might have been Cromer - a group of Jaguars taxied past en-route to the runway yet again didn't get the binoculars or notebook out in time (oh geez I made some mistakes that day). My excuse would be I only started Spotting Hobby Late 1986/ early 1987 so was in my early spotting days......

[MR TERRY GREEN]

Loved Coltishall thanks for the history.My late Mum stumbled over a taxi light while expecting me.So a great hobby was nearly born there and then,pre 1963.

[Jason36]

I can't see the pictures :-(

[3Greens]

I can't see the pictures :-(

Checking with the picture host site...not sure what's up

Sat 30/11 - DNS server back up