xvtonker

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31 Sqn Jaguars were never used in the photo-recce role. They were part of the RAF Brüggen strike wing comprising of 14, 17, 20 & 31 Sqns. II (AC) Sqn, RAF Laarbruch was the dedicated RAFG photo recce squadron with 41 Sqn RAF Coltishall carrying out the UK role. XVTonker

The GR.1 Jaguar's at RAF Brüggen were all strike capable and carried a WE-177 on the centreline pylon with a special adaptor that configured the weapon at a specific nose down angle that prevented the weapon lower fins striking the ground during take-off, as seen on the picture below of a GR.1 with the SW pylon attached to the centreline pylon and fitted with a CBLS 100. I was on 31 Sqn Phantoms in 1976 on QRA when the first GR.1's arrived at RAF Brüggen. We witnessed a Jaguar carrying out a simulated QRA launch, fitted with a dummy WE-177 on the standard centreline pylon and original SW pylon adaptor fitted. The aircraft had to taxy up a slope to exit the QRA pen. As it did so the lower fins on the dummy weapon struck the ground and the exercise was immediately terminated :-). Subsequently, when I returned to RAF Brüggen in 1980 on 31Sqn then 14Sqn Jaguars they had the redesigned SW pylon adaptor installed. XVTonker

Apparently, from what I was informed from a very reliable source was that it didn't matter what selection was made for single or ripple, the pods would fire ripple. XVTonker

None of the Brüggen wing ever flew with the multi-rocket packs in time I was there (1980-83) they never carried them. XVTonker

One point to remember is that the Jaguar GR.1 never flew with the air to ground rocket pods in RAFG. Apparently something to do with the fact that they could never fire a single rocket, it was always a salvo. Also, they never fired both Aden cans together on training flights as there were issues with the recoil of both cannons being fired together affecting the airframe structure. we had to enter in the F.700 whether the pilots were firing the left hand or right hand cannon on that particular sortie

Aaah, remember it well. 4 weeks at RAF Lossiemouth :-0 XVtonker

It really depends on what scenario you're looking at Martin. Day to day training sorties Wartime ground attack role Special weapons role Photo reconnaissance Each had its own specific pylon loading. XVTonker (Two tours on Jaguars, 31Sqn & 14 Sqn 1980-83, 6Sqn 1992-94)

The worst part of the Matchbox/Revell Victor K2 are the engine intakes. They are totally wrong, too high, the wrong shape and completely inaccurate. After working on the Victor K.2 for 6 years in the 1980'2 during my time in the RAF every time I see one of these models built I cringe at the state of the intakes. Flightpath did release a resin conversion set, but they have been unavailable for many years. I found a 3D printed set designed for the GWH/Pit Road 1/144 kits but it wouldn't be hard to upscale them to 1/72 scale, but I have no idea how well they would make with the Matchbox/Revell kit. XVTonker

This is how the Bucc's were parked at Muharraq in Dutch barn open sides shelters with concrete blast walls separating each bay. Ironically the Jaguar, Buccaneer & 4 Tornado's were positioned in front of what used to be the RAF Muharraq hangars. You can just make out one of the Tornado's of "Snoopy Airways" in the background. The interior of the air brakes were painted in the same desert pink as the rest of the aircraft. I took this picture in-between sorties. XVTonker

Hi Craig, Here's are the pod images XVTonker

Hi Craig, I've got a load of close up pictures of the Mk20 pod on display at the FAA museum at Yeovilton. I'll get them together for you & send them via a PM in the next couple of days. XVTonker

My pleasure, and I'm glad you're happy with them John aka XVtonker

The retraction jack was gagged during maintenance particualry when ground crew were working in the vicinty of the speed brakes. In normal operations the speed brakes were maintained in the closed position when the aircraft was shut down. A functional check of the speed brakes would be carried out during the aircraft see-off. XVTonker

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