SEPECAT Jaguar GR3 – 6 Sqn RAF Coningsby, Grey Scheme

Corgi Aviation Archive 1/72 scale AA35412: SEPECAT Jaguar GR.Mk 3 XX738 of 6 Sqn, RAF Coningsby in 2007. Limited Edition of only 1200 Pieces

Length 9.25 inches Wingspan 4.75 inches

6 Squadron of the RAF holds the distinction of being the longest continuously serving Squadron anywhere in the world. Formed on 31st January 1914, 6 Squadron remained operational continuously until 2007, when it disbanded as the last Jaguar Squadron. The model depicted, XX738 represents one of the Squadron’s aircraft as they were typically seen in their final days flying out of RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire. The RAF has announced that No. 6 Sqn will be the third operational front line squadron equipped with the Eurofighter Typhoon but production delays to Tranche 2 aircraft have meant that ‘the Flying Canopeners’ are yet to reform. However they remain scheduled to be the next squadron to receive the Typhoon, the RAF’s latest front line jet aircraft.

The SEPECAT Jaguar is an Anglo-French jet ground attack aircraft, originally used by the British Royal Air Force and the French Armée de l’Air in the close air support and nuclear strike role, and still in service with several export customers, notably the Indian Air Force and the Royal Air Force of Oman.

Originally conceived in the 1960s as jet trainer with a light ground attack capability, the requirement for the aircraft soon changed to include supersonic performance, reconnaissance and tactical nuclear strike roles. A carrier-based variant was also planned for French service, but this was cancelled in favour of the cheaper Dassault Super Étendard. The airframes were manufactured by SEPECAT (Société Européenne de Production de l’avion Ecole de Combat et d’Appui Tactique), a joint venture between Breguet and the British Aircraft Corporation, one of the first major joint-Anglo-French military aircraft programs.

The Jaguar was successfully exported to India, Oman, Ecuador and Nigeria. With various airforces, the Jaguar was used in numerous conflicts and military operations in Mauritania, Chad, Iraq, Bosnia, and Pakistan, as well as providing a ready nuclear delivery platform for Britain, France, and India throughout the latter half of the Cold War and beyond. In the Gulf War, the Jaguar was praised for its reliability and was a valuable coalition resource. The aircraft served with the Armée de l’Air as the main strike/attack aircraft until 1 July 2005, and with the Royal Air Force until the end of April 2007. It was replaced by the Panavia Tornado and the Eurofighter Typhoon in the RAF and the Dassault Rafale in the Armée de l’Air. India plans in the long term to replace its Jaguar fleet with the developing Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA).
This swept-wing aircraft was one of the first Anglo-French military aircraft projects and was used heavily by the French Air Force, which didn’t officially replace it as its main strike/attack aircraft until 2005. It also served the RAF until 2007.