The SEPECAT Jaguar was designed as a close air support aircraft and later also for the nuclear strike role. It developed in a joint venture by British Aircraft Corporation and the French Breguet (later Dassault) company in the SEPECAT joint venture in the sixties. Many other British and French aircraft companies participated as well in the program. The Royal Air Force and French Armee de l'Air were the principal requirements drivers. The RAF needed replacements for the Hunters and Phantoms in the strike role and the French also had a gap for such an aircraft. Also, there was a need for a "navalised" Jaguar for use from French aircraft carriers.

 
  photographed at Fairford 1991 in the U.K
 

The aircraft was a single seater but also a twin trainer version was developed. The first Jaguar prototype flight was in 1978. In 1970 the RAF indicated to require about 200 aircraft. The French navalised version was the Jaguar "M" and it had a strengthened airframe, an arrestor hook and different undercarriage: twin nosewheel and single mainwheels. It was tested also on the French carrier Clemenceau. Costs for this version were high and this variant was cancelled in 1973. The French retained their other need for land based Jaguars for the Armee de l 'Air. 

Meanwhile, development of the normal "land based" Jaguar variants continued. Normally, the Jaguar could be fitted with various stores like bombs, rocket pods, missiles and als it had 2 canons: French DEFA cannons, or British Aden cannons. It had Rolls-Royce Turbomeca Adour turbofan engines, also jointly developed. It could operate from short runways. 

The French put into service in the mid seventies about 160 single-seat Jaguar "A" and 40 of the two-seat Jaguar "E". It was a good aircraft and used a lot, also in overseas operations in Africa and the Middle East. 

The RAF started using Jaguars in the seventies, with 165 single-seat Jaguar GR1 and 35 two-seat trainers, the Jaguar T2 (previously Jaguar B). Systems differed from the French aircraft.  The RAF Jaguar also had a tactical nuclear strike role, carrying the WE.177 bomb. In the UK, they flew from airfield like Coltishall, Lossiemouth, and in RAF Germany at RAF Bruggen, Laarbruch. Updates and system changes were executed throughout the militairy service. The RAF also used the Jaguar overseas in conflict like the 1991 Gulf War, Desert Shield and Bosnia.  

For export, many other countries showed interest in the Jaguar. An "international" Jaguar was developed that had some differences in equipment. It could even carry upper wing air-to-air missile pylons. 

India became a large Jaguar user in the eighties with over 200 aircraft, many built under license by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) calling the Jaguar IS, IB and IM for martime strike and called the "Shamsher" in India. The IM, a single-seat maritime anti-shipping aircraft can fire the Sea Eagle anti-ship missile. 

Jaguars were also exported to countries like Ecuador (12 ES and EB aircraft), Nigeria (18 SN / BN) and Oman (12 SO and BO) in seventies and eighties. 

Versions: 
Jaguar A:  French version of a single-seat all-weather tactical strike, ground-attack fighter; two prototypes and 160 production aircraft built.
Jaguar E: two-seat training version for the French Air Force, two prototypes and 40 production aircraft built. 
Jaguar M: a single-seat naval strike prototype for the French Navy, one built. Order cancelled.

Jaguar B / Jaguar T2: two-seat training version for the Royal Air Force with Secondary strike role; about 35 aircraft made. 
Jaguar S / Jaguar GR1: RAF single-seat all-weather tactical strike, ground-attack fighter, 165 built. The GR1A was an update with chaff/flare, ECM and Sidewinder capability, 75 conversions from GR1. The GR3 was a later GR1 update.

Jaguar International was for export (ES / EB/ SN/ BN / SO / BO). For India the IS, IB and IM with DARIN ECM systems.

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The Airfix kit 03011 issued around 1975 for a RAF GR1 is also OK, but has only a few raised panellines and a very basic details. It has the laser GR1 nose. It is accurate in shape. 

AIRFIX PARTS

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The Heller kit has the option of modelling either a French single seater "A" as well as a two seater "E". It has fine raised panellines and the details are OK but basic. The air brakes aft of the main gear are moulded closed but parked Jaguars show them drooped down. The nose is pointy as for the A/ E. This Jaguar model is not yet built.

Another Heller box, had only the "A" parts. 
More on the kit when making these.....

MATCHBOX (Lesney) also had a Jaguar two seater 1/72 kit. And a single seater GR.1 These kits are rather crude with inaccurate shapes and better not made. I made one kit ages ago but it went to the bin decades ago.

 

Italeri also issued a Jaguar, in many boxes and versions:
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and this two seater which kit I also had... 

The two seater parts are seen here....
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More on the kit on page 8.....

The single seater is for a A or a RAF GR1 with the laser nose. The air brakes aft of the main gear are moulded opened up which is nice as parked Jaguars show them drooped down. But the air brakes holes are missing with "raised" holes, these need to be opened up. 

Decals in these kits vary per kit box but do not include NO STEPs. Decals are otherwise good but very THIN. 
More on the kit when making these.....

and the two seater.... 

General comments on Jaguar models

These 1/72 Jaguar modelling Reports are presented: 

(1)  AIRFIX JAGUAR  , RAF, UK, Grey
(2)  AIRFIX JAGUAR  , RAF, UK, Pink
(3)  AIRFIX JAGUAR  , RAF, UK, wrap around camouflage

GO TO AIRFIX JAGUAR PAGE.....

(H1)  HASEGAWA JAGUAR A , Armee de l'Air
(H2)  HASEGAWA JAGUAR T.mk2 , RAF
(H3)  HASEGAWA JAGUAR PRE-PROD RAF

GO TO Hasegawa JAGUAR PAGE....

(HE1)  Heller Jaguar IM India
(HE2)  Heller Jaguar M Aeronavale prototype

GO TO Heller JAGUAR PAGE....

(IT)  Italeri Jaguar T2

GO TO Italeri JAGUAR PAGE....

Created this page 
June 27, 2013;

Update Dec, 2020