The Fighter That Battled the Wrong War and Shocked Everyone

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  • čas přidán 3. 07. 2024
  • At the dawn of the Gulf War in early 1991, the skies over the Middle East became a dangerous gauntlet. Among the large forces sent by the Royal Air Force to liberate Kuwait were only 12 models of a supersonic jet attack aircraft: the aging SEPECAT Jaguar.
    Dismissed as obsolete, it was unexpectedly thrust into this hostile environment. Tasked with roles from ground attack and close air support to battlefield air interdiction, the Jaguars faced relentless challenges to disrupt enemy operations and protect coalition forces.
    Attacks against SAM sites were routine, pushing the pilots’ luck every single time. These missions were sheer madness by Cold War standards, as the Jaguars dove right into the heart of the enemy’s missile engagement zone at medium altitude, fully exposed to surface-to-air defenses.
    There was no chance to climb above the missile's reach, no room for error.
    Against all odds, camouflaged in desert hues and armed to the teeth, the 'Desert Cats' took to the stormy skies time and time again without losing a single aircraft.
    ---
    Join Dark Skies as we explore the world of aviation with cinematic short documentaries featuring the biggest and fastest airplanes ever built, top-secret military projects, and classified missions with hidden untold true stories. Including US, German, and Soviet warplanes, along with aircraft developments that took place during World War I, World War 2, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Cold War, the Gulf War, and special operations mission in between.
    As images and footage of actual events are not always available, Dark Skies sometimes utilizes similar historical images and footage for dramatic effect and soundtracks for emotional impact. We do our best to keep it as visually accurate as possible.
    All content on Dark Skies is researched, produced, and presented in historical context for educational purposes. We are history enthusiasts and are not always experts in some areas, so please don't hesitate to reach out to us with corrections, additional information, or new ideas.
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Komentáře • 765

  • @fourmilier.
    @fourmilier. Před 21 dnem +487

    The Jag is one of those rare aircraft that looks even meaner with the wheels down.

    • @slaphead90
      @slaphead90 Před 20 dny +40

      Yeah, they're like the claws of a bird of prey.

    • @kartofff
      @kartofff Před 20 dny +24

      Park it along a Mirage F1 and they form a cute couple !

    • @bru7al82
      @bru7al82 Před 20 dny +11

      Indeed! MiG 27 is also looking great with wheels down!

    • @pedjatrninic
      @pedjatrninic Před 20 dny +10

      Agree.Our,Serbian Army has couple of SOKO J 22 ORAO aircraft,which are heavily inspired by Jag.Such an elegant bird!

    • @bru7al82
      @bru7al82 Před 20 dny +2

      @@pedjatrninic kako da ne ;) J 22 isto opasno izgleda na donjem trapu

  • @carabus0354
    @carabus0354 Před 20 dny +291

    My Dad worked with a Jaguar Squadron at RAF Wildenwrath and RAF Bruggen in Germany in the 70s and he arranged for little me to sit in the cockpit once. Fantastic aircraft! Sadly my dad passed a few weeks ago, proud of you Dad!

    • @CollisCampbell
      @CollisCampbell Před 20 dny +20

      Sorry for your loss. Condolences from USA.

    • @smut28
      @smut28 Před 19 dny

      We thank him for his service

    • @seangregory4339
      @seangregory4339 Před 19 dny +7

      @@carabus0354 I’m envious. The Sepcat is a beautiful aircraft

    • @simonm7133
      @simonm7133 Před 19 dny +8

      Be proud of your Dad, a man who, no doubt, who gave great service to his country. Coincidentally, I was with a cadet force platoon on camp at Wildenwrath in 1976 and we were given the chance to try out the Harrier simulator there. I have great memories of the place.

    • @jamiestewart48
      @jamiestewart48 Před 19 dny +4

      I’m very sorry, that must be an awesome memory!

  • @daystatesniper01
    @daystatesniper01 Před 21 dnem +410

    At LAST a video about our RAF Jags in the first Gulf war as ex 41 pilot who flew there this video was not bad , flying at 100ft or less happy days indeed

    • @AzraelSWFC2011
      @AzraelSWFC2011 Před 21 dnem +16

      The Jag was an AMAZING aircraft...

    • @dirtycxer
      @dirtycxer Před 21 dnem

      Another beautiful and deadly aircraft from our European allies with highly effective pilots and support staff. Outstanding!

    • @bitea5506
      @bitea5506 Před 21 dnem +7

      My father was an ex 41 pilot... Probably before your time though.

    • @gregmacdonald7710
      @gregmacdonald7710 Před 20 dny +15

      Great stuff...more non-Yank oriented stuff please!👍

    • @seanjoseph8637
      @seanjoseph8637 Před 20 dny +2

      54 (f) FTW...

  • @foxstrangler
    @foxstrangler Před 19 dny +63

    The Jaguar was not outdated by the time it was retired by the RAF. It had undergone modifications and still had several years of service ahead of it. It was retired on cost saving grounds, like the Nimrod, Harrier and Sentry. It could still ruin your day, and India uses them to good effect, buying up all the spares after the RAF had to stop flying them. It was easy to maintain, and the fitters loved it, so much so that a group of them maintain a privately owned example in fast taxi condition.

    • @timbridges4246
      @timbridges4246 Před 17 dny +3

      As I remember they had just wired it up for 1553 when it was retired. The Indians have now integrated ASRAAM on overwing pylons, it'll be around for few years yet.

    • @BruceConklin-js5rg
      @BruceConklin-js5rg Před 11 dny +3

      Britain has a history of scrapping usable or new weapons systems on grounds of "cost"; HMS Vanguard was scrapped after only 13 years; that vessel ought to still be in service ( part-time ).

    • @michellebrown4903
      @michellebrown4903 Před 10 dny +1

      ​@@BruceConklin-js5rg Vanguard was obsolete the moment her hull kissed the water. Battleships were obsolete by 1942 .

    • @stephenhumphrey7935
      @stephenhumphrey7935 Před 3 dny

      ​@@michellebrown4903Maybe. But it would have been amazing to keep 1 battleship as a floating museum, just like the US does.

    • @Japan-in-N
      @Japan-in-N Před 3 dny

      I was on 41 when we found cracks in the central fuselage which is why it was retired. Along with the tacrecce going EO

  • @Rich77UK
    @Rich77UK Před 21 dnem +239

    The only things obsolete in war are weapon systems but most importantly tactics. The archaic Blackburn Buccaneer and English Electric Canberra BOTH served with distinction in the Gulf War alongside the ageing Jaguar and flagship (but old) Tornado. All were used to their strengths and proved PERFECTLY lethal jets.

    • @wirebrushofenlightenment1545
      @wirebrushofenlightenment1545 Před 21 dnem +27

      Exactly - if you can make effective use of it, it isn't obsolete.
      Effectively, it was the running-down of the spare parts and service supply chain that squeezed the Jag out.

    • @MostlyPennyCat
      @MostlyPennyCat Před 21 dnem +3

      ​@@wirebrushofenlightenment1545
      India: "Never!"

    • @afrog2666
      @afrog2666 Před 21 dnem +4

      So not really obsolete then?
      Words are hard.

    • @jimcook1161
      @jimcook1161 Před 21 dnem +11

      The jag was only 20 years old then, not really obsolete 1:08

    • @gargk999
      @gargk999 Před 20 dny +12

      The Tornado only went into service with the RAF in 1979, and in 1991, the Saudi AF was still having new Tornados delivered. The final RAF Tornado was not delivered until March 1993 - it wasn't 'old' at all.

  • @Aeronaut1975
    @Aeronaut1975 Před 20 dny +18

    Legend has it that a Jag only got airbourne on a hot day because of the curvature of the Earth. I also once read a Jag pilot describe the cockpit as "an ergonomic slum". Having said that, and despite being massively underpowered, every pilot who ever flew it absolutely loved it and would sing it's praises at every opportunity.

  • @gooner72
    @gooner72 Před 20 dny +42

    As "outdated" as people tbought the RAF's ground attack Jaguar was, she was an extremely capable platform that outperformed many of her vastly more expensive peers....

  • @msgtpauldfreed
    @msgtpauldfreed Před 20 dny +36

    The most impressive video of a Jaguar I've ever seen was one taking off from a grass field. A supersonic jet taking off from a bumpy grass field. Mind blowing. The landing gear on that thing was insanely sturdy.

    • @Koozomec
      @Koozomec Před 19 dny +4

      Rugged as a 2CV :)

    • @clivestainlesssteelwomble7665
      @clivestainlesssteelwomble7665 Před 19 dny +7

      A uprated engine version with a cleaned up cockpit would be a good option to have now for export and support/training.

    • @fizzyridertoo
      @fizzyridertoo Před 18 dny +3

      It was part of the design brief that it should be able to operate from a ploughed field.

    • @tonyunderwood9678
      @tonyunderwood9678 Před 17 dny +2

      I still remember the video of a Jag taking off from an airport diagonally across two runways and taxiways and the medians and field plots on either side of the runways. Then there was the video showing Jags taking off and landing on roads. (Discovery Channel's "Great Planes")

    • @billb7876
      @billb7876 Před 15 dny +2

      I did Supersonic in a Jag "very briefly" during an air test jolly, part of the test included getting there. as soon as we did the pilot said thats enough, we dont want to waste fuel lets do some low level "Excellent"

  • @user-fj6ms4vr6s
    @user-fj6ms4vr6s Před 21 dnem +70

    Most efficient plane in the Gulf war. serviceability second to none and proven.

    • @jureeratpholseela7508
      @jureeratpholseela7508 Před 18 dny +1

      lol how can you say that , How can 24 Jaguars be the most efficient out of more than a 1000 aircrafts ,,,

    • @gregkollaeg2365
      @gregkollaeg2365 Před 17 dny

      Well they had no airdefence 🤷‍♀️

    • @sirhayden5516
      @sirhayden5516 Před 7 dny

      that isn't true and you know

  • @reubendobbs8011
    @reubendobbs8011 Před 20 dny +32

    Vastly underrated aircraft

  • @headintclouds3657
    @headintclouds3657 Před 20 dny +21

    One abiding memory I have of Op GRANBY was sitting under my cam net, sharing my coffee with the flies, while one of my bridgelayer crews was servicing its engines. This involved elevating the bridge to top dead centre (vertical). Suddenly a flight of Jags blasted past at zero feet, filled my mug with sand, dispersed the flies (briefly) and scared the living bejesus out of the AVLB Commander when one aircraft had to climb to clear his bridge. I never felt prouder of the boys in light blue than when I saw that display of force and flying skills.

    • @malphadour
      @malphadour Před 19 dny

      I think the Jag is possibly the loudest man made object of all time :)

    • @billb7876
      @billb7876 Před 15 dny +4

      Unfortunately we were all duped into thinking we were the good guys, sadly we were the real invaders, and Blackrock and Halliburton were the winners

    • @ianrose666
      @ianrose666 Před 10 dny

      @@malphadoursecond.
      The Vulcan will always be king for volume. 😉

    • @stephenhumphrey7935
      @stephenhumphrey7935 Před 3 dny +1

      ​@billb7876 Wrong war. That was the second Gulf War. The Jaguars were long since retired by then.

    • @andrewwaller5913
      @andrewwaller5913 Před 2 dny +1

      ​@@stephenhumphrey7935 Well they weren't. RAF didn't retire the Jaguar until 2007, 4 years after the Gulf War 2, and India still flies lots of them

  • @NorthernGrim
    @NorthernGrim Před 21 dnem +64

    A Jaguar landed on the M55 motorway when it was opened, in Lancashire.

  • @paulmakinson1965
    @paulmakinson1965 Před 20 dny +20

    A friend who flew jags during the Kosovo conflict and Afghanistan said that it was underpowered and with a full load of bombs, "il decolle parce que la terre est ronde." It takes off because the earth is round. But he said that it was the most stable firing platform, extremely versatile, and it had a huge inventory of compatible ordnance.

    • @fullthrottle2008
      @fullthrottle2008 Před 18 dny +5

      An RAF engineer friend said to me “beautiful flying aircraft; then they went and fitted bombs to it” 😂

    • @jefftuckercfii
      @jefftuckercfii Před 17 dny +2

      Wasn't the French version of the Jaguar engined differently than the UK version?

    • @MrHws5mp
      @MrHws5mp Před 16 dny +6

      @@jefftuckercfii Kind of. They both started with the same engine standard, but the French never fitted uprated engines to their Jaguars, while the RAF went through two(?) rounds of fitting more powerful ones.

  • @chrishooge3442
    @chrishooge3442 Před 21 dnem +23

    On two occasions my unit was mock bombed while on maneuvers in Kuwait circa May 1993. I swear I could feel the heat from the engines as they peeled away. It's a chilling feeling to know you were already bombed before you knew they were there.

  • @JoJo-vm8vk
    @JoJo-vm8vk Před 21 dnem +52

    French Jaguar A was even more outdated during Desert Storm 😅
    But they were equipped with the very good ATLIS II TV targeting pod (very good tracking allowing single pilot used), supersonic AS30L laser guided missiles and MATRA BGL400/1000 laser guided bomb.
    They strapped portable GPS on the dashboard, and this outdated attack aircraft became cutting edge 🤣🤣👌

    • @AJPMUSIC_OFFICIAL
      @AJPMUSIC_OFFICIAL Před 19 dny +6

      Those targeting pods made them more effective than waves of B52s

    • @wobblysauce
      @wobblysauce Před 18 dny +1

      Just like cars today, add Carplay and it is the future.

    • @jefftuckercfii
      @jefftuckercfii Před 17 dny +1

      For that matter, I've seen video from inside Ukraine MiG 29s that had an outdated but functional monochrome screen commercial Garmin GPS unit ziptied to the side of the MiG's heads-up display. Those older 29s must not have had capability of using GLONASS either due to age or to access being cut off by the Russians.

  • @carolusmalleus1243
    @carolusmalleus1243 Před 21 dnem +42

    The Sepecat Jaguar also served in the IAF during Indo-Pak wars like the Kargil war.

  • @osatoo98
    @osatoo98 Před 21 dnem +46

    The jaguar wasn't in the falkland War. It was only sea harriers and harriers and a few vulcan bomber missions

    • @tallandhairy
      @tallandhairy Před 19 dny +5

      I stopped listening and unsubscribed at this point too. I've no idea how many other made up facts this video and others contain but I've noticed a few things recently

    • @MrWillo95
      @MrWillo95 Před 18 dny +1

      Shame really, major mistake like this makes you wonder what other facts need checking. Nice footage though.

    • @OssieTheNumber9
      @OssieTheNumber9 Před 17 dny +1

      Don't forget the Victors too

    • @billb7876
      @billb7876 Před 15 dny

      @@tallandhairy There is a load of this sort of stuff sadly, its hard to find a decent documentary rather then some bloke in his bedroom narrating to random clips

    • @SquareWheelMedia
      @SquareWheelMedia Před dnem

      Whole things screams AI video. My dad was in the falklands (and I was in the gulf) in he burst out laughing at the falklands but 🤣

  • @HankD13
    @HankD13 Před 21 dnem +25

    Along with the Buccaneer, the Jag was a firm favourite of mine. Lovely, lethal aircraft.

    • @chrismaguire3667
      @chrismaguire3667 Před 20 dny +2

      Loved the Bucc since I was a kid, one of the - very - few great aircraft Blackburn ever produced.

    • @GlenMartin
      @GlenMartin Před 18 dny

      The highlight of me growing up in Lossie was the Buccaneers and Jaguars...along with Shackletons. Many a happy day spent at the end of the runway, hiding in a bunker on the golf course

  • @TartB
    @TartB Před 19 dny +8

    i strongly believe that the jaguar is one of the most beautiful aircraft ever put into production

  • @tonyunderwood9678
    @tonyunderwood9678 Před 17 dny +4

    Good to see the Jag getting some recognition. It deserves praise. It's simply a good airplane.

  • @lukewolsey
    @lukewolsey Před 15 dny +2

    This aeroplane is special to me. I live in Norfolk, and my house that I have lived in since 1990 (still there today!) sits directly below the approach to RAF Coltishall where the Jaguar squadrons were based. For 16 glorious years when i was growing up, every day I would see Jaguars with their gear down lining up to land, one after the other. They flew over at very low level, very loud. I got to see this thousands of times and I never ever got bored of it. Now we occasionally get jets landing at Norwich airport and jets flying at high altitude, but I wish I could see a Jaguar one more time!

  • @richardsawyer5428
    @richardsawyer5428 Před 20 dny +6

    Looking misty eyed back at Cold War 1, videos such as these fulfill my need for a bit of nostalgia. The RAF had some great aeroplanes back then😊

  • @willbraxton1843
    @willbraxton1843 Před 21 dnem +10

    Thank you so much for doing a story on this incredible aircraft that is so often overlooked

  • @mvjoshi
    @mvjoshi Před 20 dny +12

    The Indian Air Force has mixed views of the Jag. One joke, due to the perceived low power of the engines, was that the Jag got airborne only because the earth was round. Suicidal single engine landing performance. First stage of reheat while landing with even slightly higher weight. But then, terrific range and a rock solid gunnery platform with superb low level ride.

    • @fizzyridertoo
      @fizzyridertoo Před 18 dny +4

      To be honest that was also how they were perceived in the RAF. The Jag was better than the sum of it's parts in real world conflicts, but the engines were always its weakest link.

    • @Vkj007
      @Vkj007 Před 18 dny

      Werent the engines updated by IAF later??

  • @deputydd4364
    @deputydd4364 Před 21 dnem +14

    A few errors in the video but thank you for doing a video on my favourite RAF jet. As an air cadet spent many happy hours sat in one (on the ground sadly!)

  • @penhullwolf5070
    @penhullwolf5070 Před 17 dny +4

    The British prove that exceptional pilots with high morale and intelligent tactics are just as important as the aircraft.

  • @adamnoakes2550
    @adamnoakes2550 Před 19 dny +15

    The Jaguar was never a fighter, it was always a ground attack aircraft.

    • @hackdaniels7253
      @hackdaniels7253 Před 16 dny +1

      They used to joke that the Nimrod was a fighter (the world's biggest/only four engined) because it was fitted with AAMs during the Falklands war. Did the Jag ever get armed with air to air missiles?

    • @errornamenotfound2513
      @errornamenotfound2513 Před 13 dny

      ​@@hackdaniels7253 only 2 sidewinders for self defense

    • @diffe
      @diffe Před 10 dny

      @@hackdaniels7253 It was in the video...Aim 9s by RAF. Indian AF strapped ASRAAMs on their Jags. French used their R.Matra 550 Magics.

    • @hackdaniels7253
      @hackdaniels7253 Před 9 dny

      @@diffe ...then the Jaguar was a fighter!

  • @svartmetall
    @svartmetall Před 20 dny +6

    I grew up on the side of a mountain on North Wales that was in one of the RAF low-fly training zones; we used to go up the side of one of the local mountains and sit there looking down on Jaguars and Buccaneers doing their thing. There's something weird about looking *down* on planes going really fast - it was awesome :)

  • @n74jw
    @n74jw Před 20 dny +12

    Love for the Jag from across the pond!

  • @phippsa3
    @phippsa3 Před 21 dnem +112

    Jaguars never served in the Falklands

    • @alanwilkin8869
      @alanwilkin8869 Před 21 dnem +6

      Garrison duty
      They probably did, after the war,
      They built a new runway and accommodation etc and posted a lotta RAF personnel there.

    • @manodfergus
      @manodfergus Před 21 dnem +29

      The commentary did say they served in the Falklands War. They didn't take part in the war!

    • @user-fj6ms4vr6s
      @user-fj6ms4vr6s Před 21 dnem +13

      Only Sea Harriers and GR and Vulcans served in the falklands.

    • @rickhirons2409
      @rickhirons2409 Před 21 dnem +26

      I was on 29 Squadron Phantoms during the Falklands War. We took over Ascension Air Defence to release 4 Harriers to go South in May 82. Following the ceasefire we went South in Oct 82 initially taking 4 Phantoms. Never saw a Jag at all. Phantoms stayed South until replaced by Tonka’s and then Typhoons.

    • @squaddie67
      @squaddie67 Před 20 dny +13

      @@alanwilkin8869 They never served in the Falklands. In the immediate aftermath of the war Phantoms were sent down, which in turn were replaced a few years later with Tornado F3s and at the current time, Typhoons have the QRA role in the Falklands.

  • @1967AJB
    @1967AJB Před 21 dnem +16

    Nice to briefly see the Jag in RAE colours. I worked at RAE Farnborough for a time, we also had a green camp R&D variant that I occasionally worked on. It was powered up when I was with it, but as you arrived it would sense you driving and walking up to it, responding with noises of things activating. It used to scare the crap out of me.

    • @user-vj7el2wg9b
      @user-vj7el2wg9b Před 21 dnem +3

      Last Jaguar I ever saw was in RAE colours. I remember it well, it was about 200 ft above Rannoch Moor.

    • @dimwitsixtytwelve
      @dimwitsixtytwelve Před 21 dnem

      what is RAE?

    • @1967AJB
      @1967AJB Před 20 dny

      @@dimwitsixtytwelve
      What is RAE!??? The legendary Royal Airspace Establishment.

    • @dimwitsixtytwelve
      @dimwitsixtytwelve Před 20 dny +2

      @@1967AJB OK and what is that? nevermind I just looked it up after you told me the full name. you know it's ok to ask questions right?

    • @gotindrachenhart
      @gotindrachenhart Před 20 dny

      What kind of systems did it start up as someone walks up to it? That's pretty amazing, never heard of a fighter doing that before, very cool.

  • @drandrewallan
    @drandrewallan Před 21 dnem +8

    It was seeing a desert camouflage Jaguar when I was visiting my parents looming out the clouds that I realised we were about to go to war!

    • @MrOtistetrax
      @MrOtistetrax Před 20 dny +3

      Seeing your parents looming out of the clouds must have been very disconcerting.

  • @geraldshirou7855
    @geraldshirou7855 Před 20 dny +5

    Jaguar is my most favorite aircraft of this era, I mean just look how aggressive it is.

  • @jamesleaman9139
    @jamesleaman9139 Před 18 dny +2

    The concussion from jaguar’s engines could literally suck the air out it your lungs as they throttle away from you.

  • @Fester_
    @Fester_ Před 21 dnem +2

    So many memories - thanks.

  • @ChamplainDivision
    @ChamplainDivision Před 21 dnem +26

    One of the coolest looking and baddest acting western warplanes of all time. Too bad they never made a Navy carrier version

    • @KiwisDownUnder
      @KiwisDownUnder Před 21 dnem +5

      My childhood fav, and always a joy at the airshows. Fook, I am that old.

    • @waynesimpson2074
      @waynesimpson2074 Před 21 dnem +2

      @@KiwisDownUnder Me too, me too and me too. My favourite Airfix model when I was young.

    • @gillfitzpatrick7894
      @gillfitzpatrick7894 Před 21 dnem +5

      The French did develop a carrier version Jaguar M,

  • @chrismaguire3667
    @chrismaguire3667 Před 20 dny +14

    I met a Jag tech years ago and he said that the UK govt should've *never* retired it. The fact that the airframe could take, fully loaded, supersonic flight showed its durability.
    But UK govt are famous for never doing the right thing (just like Great British Voting Public...).

    • @adrien5834
      @adrien5834 Před 19 dny +2

      Airframes have a limited life, at some point they simply have to be retired.

    • @antispindr8613
      @antispindr8613 Před 16 dny

      But have they not just downed one of the most useless British Govts in history?

  • @peterwright9546
    @peterwright9546 Před 19 dny +6

    While At Machrihanish in the 70s used to get Jags in on a regular basis ,They were a pain in the butt every time they landed they popped the brake chute, we had no rag packers on base so we had to pack the brake chutes one of us (we had four guys) refuelled them one of us packed the chute and re-fitted them. Then we told the pilot it may not work when you land again but pop it anyway because it will need repacking. The way we repacked them was with a broom handle just ram it back in.

    • @fizzyridertoo
      @fizzyridertoo Před 18 dny

      How long was the runway there? I know the pilots did practice aerodynamic braking but, at the end of the day, if you needed the chute then you used it. I practiced lots of times (in the sim) not using it and you needed a fair amount of space to stop the thing on brakes alone.

    • @peterwright9546
      @peterwright9546 Před 18 dny +2

      @@fizzyridertooone of the Longest in Scotland( i think 10,000 ft) a C5 Galaxy lands with ease in fact we had 2 one day.

  • @salvagedb2470
    @salvagedb2470 Před 21 dnem +7

    The Jaguar , was aptley Named it just looked like One , totally Gorgous Aircraft in its Looks and Ability . great Vid.

    • @robertwilloughby8050
      @robertwilloughby8050 Před 19 dny

      Although I agree with you, some of the pilots wouldn't. One of the nicknames was the "Flying Triangle"!😅
      Edit: I forgot to mention that my home town was often overpassed by Jaguars in the late 70's and early 80's. I think it was because we (Dewsbury) were on the Pilot Orientation Circuit for new Jag pilots.

  • @gotindrachenhart
    @gotindrachenhart Před 20 dny

    Thanks for the video. This one is new to me and I love it! Those big landing struts scream naval fighter :)

  • @brianpreval5602
    @brianpreval5602 Před 19 dny +2

    The Jaguar was a damn good aircraft, i worked on them for 10 years, on 4 different squadrons, great to work on!

  • @michaelw2288
    @michaelw2288 Před 19 dny +2

    The GR.1A upgrade involved senior pilots shopping around the defense companies asking not "can you build these kit to these specs" but simply, " what do you have". It was the most efficient and cost effective upgrade programme in RAF history.

    • @MarkDurham-c5d
      @MarkDurham-c5d Před 17 dny

      It also worked because we involved the aircrew from the start. Pilots from 6, 41 & 54 sqn were at Boscombe Down through most of the early upgrades sitting with the project team. On many occasions we were asked "can you do this" or "can you include this" and we fitted it in.

  • @Nite-owl
    @Nite-owl Před 19 dny +3

    My dad worked on the Jaguar, and early MRCA (Tornado) in the early 70's at BAC. Sadly he passed in '75 and his co-workers built an Airfix Jaguar and painted it in the cammo colours and presented it to me. I was just 9, but it was, and still is a prized possession. I also remember the Jaguar landing on my local motorway (M55) to test it's ability to be used in emergencies. I had a cinefilm of it landing, but sadly that seems to have vanished.

  • @EmptyBallsOfSteel
    @EmptyBallsOfSteel Před 21 dnem +5

    Beautiful pointy aircraft, one of my favourites, thanks for the vid 👍

  • @trigger1471
    @trigger1471 Před 19 dny

    thanks for the vid,i knew i was not going mad by seeing one many years ago with sidewinder on TOP of the wings

  • @davidrowan9163
    @davidrowan9163 Před 18 dny +5

    The Jag Certainly didn’t serve in the Falklands. Are these videos ever fact checked prior to being released ?

  • @mrjockt
    @mrjockt Před 21 dnem +17

    I enjoyed the video, I used to be based at RAF Laarbruch when 2 Sqn. (normally written in Roman numerals as II Sqn.) were still equipped with Jaguars, one point about these videos, I don't know how many times it's pointed out that when identifying an RAF squadron it's never 6th, 41st, or any of the other ordinal indicators that other Air Forces use, you just say the number such as 6 (six), 41 (forty one) etc.

    • @johndoucette6085
      @johndoucette6085 Před 20 dny +1

      Same for the RCAF, too.

    • @Optikification
      @Optikification Před 20 dny +1

      I was at Bruggen 1984-1987 on 17f sqn (Black Hand) , After a few months being there we phased the Jag out and got Tornado.

    • @mrjockt
      @mrjockt Před 20 dny +2

      @@Optikification Had to travel down to Bruggen every night to refill our LOX pots when they closed Laarbruch’s runway for resurfacing in ‘87, what about absolute joy finish back shift in the Hyd. Bay at 22:00 then drive down to Bruggen, fill the pots for the squadron to pick up next morning, then drive back and get to bed about 01:00.

    • @leehoughton9068
      @leehoughton9068 Před 19 dny

      The trouble is the world is split into two parts - the ignorant American and the rest of us! The USAF unit structure reverses the Wing and Group compare the rest of the Western World,
      RAF had for example in WW2: 11 Group (London South Area) Bigin Hill Wing (Operational Base), Number 303 (Polish) Squadron (Functional Unit assigned for duty) - which could move to 13 Group for rest. USAF had Wings with sequential Groups and Squadrons under it hence 5th Fighter Wing, 2nd Persuit Group, 41st Tactical Fighter Squadron nomniculture.
      It comes down to the way the forces got structured and used - and became traditional.

    • @ianskeldon6032
      @ianskeldon6032 Před 7 dny

      Yeah some of the best days of my life were working on ll AC sqn at Laarbruch, a great aircraft that I was lucky enough to go up in one to do air to air at Cyprus.

  • @vighneshjm4336
    @vighneshjm4336 Před 20 dny +1

    The first fighter aircraft of IAF i saw up close and had a chance to sit inside also ... just a wonderful piece of machine .. the roar of that engine

  • @kevinbutters5964
    @kevinbutters5964 Před 19 dny +1

    And……..I knew Mike Gordon when he was a FO……one of the finest pilots I’ve ever met…..he was the only officer to play on the squadron football team. Top respect to him. RAF….

  • @wirebrushofenlightenment1545

    10:25 - Rapier missiles - and thwn Bloodhounds!

    • @KiwisDownUnder
      @KiwisDownUnder Před 21 dnem +3

      Frig beat me too it, then I thought nah, its just a YT video. :D

  • @kimballhutchinson2351
    @kimballhutchinson2351 Před 19 dny +1

    Those two pilots ordered to intercept must have known they were not ideal for the engagement but carried on anyway. That’s badass.

  • @msgretrogamer
    @msgretrogamer Před 20 dny +4

    One of my favourite ever aircraft. It looks awesome.

  • @thisisadebrown
    @thisisadebrown Před 20 dny +4

    Sitting on the runway legs spread open wide, see the mighty jaguar, sway from side to side.

    • @johnp8131
      @johnp8131 Před 5 dny

      A song for Deci? Or Brüggen Rugby club?

  • @derrickmabbott9095
    @derrickmabbott9095 Před 20 dny +1

    I had always dismissed the Jaguar as a minor aircraft that missed a real role in action. How very wrong I was. Thank you

  • @nilslefevre4820
    @nilslefevre4820 Před 21 dnem +12

    You should tell the story of the A91 french jaguar, hit during operation Daguet, Epic story.

    • @Rich77UK
      @Rich77UK Před 21 dnem +1

      Yes, YES!

    • @douglascampbell4993
      @douglascampbell4993 Před 21 dnem +1

      hited....?

    • @tatumergo3931
      @tatumergo3931 Před 21 dnem +1

      ​@@douglascampbell4993. They're French what do you expect...?

    • @nilslefevre4820
      @nilslefevre4820 Před 20 dny

      Sorry, typing error, just 'hit'.

    • @fizzyridertoo
      @fizzyridertoo Před 18 dny +1

      He should also tell the story of when Flt Lt Griggs was shot down in his Jag. By an RAF Phantom!

  • @user-rp2nq1ev6x
    @user-rp2nq1ev6x Před 19 dny +1

    This is the first video I've ever seen highlighting the SEPECAT Jaguar. I've always liked this aircraft. It's the first and probably the only combat aircraft to mount missiles on top of the wings.

    • @AstrologyandSpiritualEvo-ls5du
      @AstrologyandSpiritualEvo-ls5du Před 19 dny +1

      I believe the Electric Lightning had above wing mounted sidewiders in a later variant - this was before the Jaguars time

  • @palehorseone
    @palehorseone Před 21 dnem +4

    Fascinating. A beautiful, high-performing airplane.

  • @marklaurie1
    @marklaurie1 Před 20 dny +4

    Britain and France working together, it can be done with great success!

  • @petertyson4022
    @petertyson4022 Před 18 dny

    Been waiting and looking for a good episode of the jaguar When I was a teen, many, many years ago. I went to Scotland for a camping trip. We were near the Highlands. We and saw two jaguars fly by in a gorge were we were camping. Eye level. Amazing. One of the highlights of the trip. One of my favourite aircraft. Sence I made a plactic glue model of one, when I was young. . 👽👍

  • @MarvelousSeven
    @MarvelousSeven Před 21 dnem +4

    I've always had a soft spot for the Jaguar.

  • @BigDonKedick
    @BigDonKedick Před 21 dnem

    Closest looking thing to
    The F-111. Love these, the avro Vulcan, the Buccaneer bomber, and the Tornado.

  • @MrAlexrowlands
    @MrAlexrowlands Před 20 dny +1

    I loved the Jag and was a cadet at a camp where they were based. In the UK at the junction of the M42 and M40 southbound there is a paintball place that has one rotting in the woods visible from the motorway as you leave the M42. It makes me sad to see it every time I drive past it. 😢

  • @emaheiwa8174
    @emaheiwa8174 Před 20 dny +1

    Underrated❤

  • @tugnut1626
    @tugnut1626 Před 2 dny

    Got to see two Jags fire at ground targets at a lark hill artillery event when I was a small boy... They did a fly by of the stands... Soo very close. Thank god no over jealous safety rules back then. Anyways the aircraft has all ways had a part of my heart from that moment ❤

  • @SimonFordUK
    @SimonFordUK Před 8 dny

    I was with the press corps at RAF Coltishall the morning (I think it was 48 Squadron) was deployed for Operation Desert Shield. Squadron Leader Jack Love was the press relations officer. When I asked him why a fighter bomber was being deployed for a ‘shield’ operation he was very diplomatic!

  • @Shadowboost
    @Shadowboost Před 20 dny +1

    The Jag at low level, beautiful. Tornados are cool, too, but the Jag is special

  • @zh84
    @zh84 Před 21 dnem +4

    4:58 That's a Phantom from 111 Squadron, which was stationed just up the coast from me! They used to come in to land over our house when the wind was in the North.

    • @utbdoug
      @utbdoug Před 21 dnem +1

      I can see your house from here! lol

    • @utbdoug
      @utbdoug Před 20 dny

      Sorry, that sounded a bit shady lol

  • @moonbaby6134
    @moonbaby6134 Před 19 dny +1

    Spent four years on 41 during late 90’s. Great aircraft.

  • @ph11p3540
    @ph11p3540 Před 20 dny

    I loved the looks of this aircraft and built some nice models of them

  • @dannywilkinson2344
    @dannywilkinson2344 Před 20 dny +2

    The Jag never fought in the Falklands war. The only British Jets that flew over the Falklands during that war was Sea Harrier, Harrier GR3, Vulcan... and at the end C130s

  • @martinbayliss3868
    @martinbayliss3868 Před 21 dnem +9

    The RAF could do with these today.

  • @jasonrushton5991
    @jasonrushton5991 Před 20 dny +1

    Stunning Air-Craft.

  • @randydaems
    @randydaems Před 16 dny +1

    Dark Skies/Docs are the best documentaries. However, you gotta get the right aircraft. At 11:00, narrator says an F-15 was scrambled but shows an F-5 Freedom Fighter. That’s equivalent to saying a Corvette and showing a VW Beetle. Very different platforms. We notice.

  • @gooner72
    @gooner72 Před 20 dny +1

    Just a quick note mate:
    The Jaguar wasn't used in the Falklands War, our only air assets were Harriers as they flew off our carriers, Jaguars were not a Fleet Air Arm aircraft.

  • @99IronDuke
    @99IronDuke Před 18 dny +2

    No Jaguars served in the Falkland's war.

  • @paulricketts1089
    @paulricketts1089 Před 21 dnem +33

    ...something I never noticed about the Jaguar before, it has the same sillouette as an F-4...........

    • @TomatoFettuccini
      @TomatoFettuccini Před 21 dnem +9

      I was going to say much the same thing, that it looked a lot like a baby F-4.
      Smaller intakes, different nose profile, and shoulder-mounted wings instead of low wings, but otherwise, yes very much like an F-4.
      Similar wing shape, the same scoops in the tail section for the engine exhaust, the empennage is almost identical.
      Looking at it top-down one could be forgiven in thinking it's an F-4 variant.

    • @brusselssprouts560
      @brusselssprouts560 Před 21 dnem +4

      Visit the Manton Museum in Manston, Kent UK. They have a Jaguar as well as a Lightning and other good things. Next door is the Spitfire and Hurricane museums.

    • @JSFGuy
      @JSFGuy Před 21 dnem +3

      @@TomatoFettuccini slight resemblance at a glance, yes. I guess I always had a oml ability to identify immediately. The angled horizontal stabilizers at certain angles for sure.

    • @carolusmalleus1243
      @carolusmalleus1243 Před 21 dnem +1

      Agreed, the cockpit shape and nose profile could be differences as well as the smaller air intakes compared to the F-4's larger ones and the larger vertical stabiliser compared to the F-4's shorter stubbier one.

    • @thegrandinquisitor8239
      @thegrandinquisitor8239 Před 21 dnem +6

      Not really. It looks closer to the Mirage F1 than the Phantom.
      However, a British Phantom did accidentally shoot down a British Jaguar with a sidewinder.

  • @BionicRusty
    @BionicRusty Před 19 dny +1

    I’m proud to have worked on the Jaguar’s HUD.

  • @robertshaver4432
    @robertshaver4432 Před 21 dnem +8

    Looks like a cross between an F-4 and an A-4, mostly the F-4

    • @arandomfawn5289
      @arandomfawn5289 Před 21 dnem +1

      It’s more of a Super Etendard mixed with the wing configuration of a Harrier, given it was a Franco-English jet project

    • @samuelgarrod8327
      @samuelgarrod8327 Před 20 dny +1

      Phlarrier

    • @robertshaver4432
      @robertshaver4432 Před 20 dny

      @@samuelgarrod8327 lol

  • @Rufusdos
    @Rufusdos Před 17 dny

    I had a pair of camouflaged die-cast Jags as a five year old. Always my favourite!

  • @DenmanShooter
    @DenmanShooter Před 20 dny

    I thought I was aware of most aircraft, unless I just forgot about the Jaquar , I am not sure I knew of these before. Interesting.

  • @fredburley9512
    @fredburley9512 Před 19 dny

    A cool understated jet I always thought. Excitng when you are a kid. Got a good few of them at RAF Cosford museum not far from where I live.

  • @kevinbutters5964
    @kevinbutters5964 Před 19 dny +1

    Ex 20 and II(AC) squadron Jags…………brilliant aircraft. In the days RAFG had five squadrons of Jags…….. nice video. One or two errors but I’ll overlook them……

  • @craigmorison3277
    @craigmorison3277 Před 20 dny +1

    So underrated

  • @geargeekpdx3566
    @geargeekpdx3566 Před 20 dny

    The Jaguar operators manual consists of one line: "Fly it like you stole it"

  • @sunrayisdown1690
    @sunrayisdown1690 Před 18 dny +4

    There were no Jaguars in the Falklands . Get your facts right !

  • @raimunderdwiens1502
    @raimunderdwiens1502 Před 16 dny

    I often saw her flying at the Upjever Airfield, when they where guests at the Jagdbombergeschwader 38 in the 80's. I love this plane!

  • @cpuuk
    @cpuuk Před 7 dny

    Just taking the Jag out for a spin, has a whole different meaning here ;-)

  • @wilsonkuriakose7534
    @wilsonkuriakose7534 Před 16 dny +1

    Jaguar is not a figter AC. It's a bomber. It has the ability to fly extremely low altitude, that makes it difficult to detect. No other major specifications.

  • @jadegecko
    @jadegecko Před 20 dny +1

    "Superseded by the Panavia Tornado" is such an oof

  • @B0M0A0K
    @B0M0A0K Před 18 dny

    I walked around one of these just two days ago at RAF Cosford. Great aircraft. There was a guy next to me talking to his daughter and he said "I used to work on these!"

  • @richardhiggins6471
    @richardhiggins6471 Před 21 dnem +29

    5:21. Served in the Falklands War?? Not sure how it managed that!

    • @Tommy-he7dx
      @Tommy-he7dx Před 21 dnem +4

      Now that would have proved its adaptability

    • @sparky4878
      @sparky4878 Před 21 dnem +3

      I was wondering if I had misheard. Appears not.

    • @BiGDuke6Actual
      @BiGDuke6Actual Před 21 dnem +9

      No. Flew at the same time as the Falklands op's were going on but no SEPECAT Jaguars flew in combat during the Falklands war..

    • @Brett-fn6ks
      @Brett-fn6ks Před 21 dnem +6

      They could barely get their Vulcan strategic bombers there!!! It took virtually all of GB's tankers to accomplish that feat.

    • @thegrandinquisitor8239
      @thegrandinquisitor8239 Před 21 dnem +6

      The couldn't even get a picture of the right aircraft in the thumbnail so I'm not surprised by BS claims.

  • @madsteve9
    @madsteve9 Před 16 dny

    Only recently read in a copy of "Air Forces Monthly" magazine, that the Jaguar was used mainly as a Dive Bomber over Iraq in 1991.
    Low level was stopped due to Tornado loses.

  • @squaddie67
    @squaddie67 Před 20 dny +2

    Sets my teeth on edge when American content creators refer to RAF Squadrons as the 6th Squadron, 41st Squadron and 54th Squadron.
    No.
    It's 6 Squadron, 41 Squadron and 54 Squadron.
    7 years spent at RAF Coltishall, the best tour of a 22 year career and Colt was often referred to as the best kept secret in the RAF.

  • @DrTWG
    @DrTWG Před 20 dny

    Sepecat Jaguar - what a name !

  • @jon1801
    @jon1801 Před 18 dny +4

    Jags did not serve in the Falklands.

  • @simonbuck6619
    @simonbuck6619 Před 20 dny +3

    Jag Wah ...... !

  • @silentblackhole
    @silentblackhole Před 16 dny

    I don’t believe I’ve ever seen this plane before, but it looks great! I love it stance and aggressive lines.

  • @peterbrazier7107
    @peterbrazier7107 Před 17 dny +1

    The Jaguar wasn't sent to the Falklands, there was no way they operate there without a land runway and the Argies had all of them.

  • @sabre22b
    @sabre22b Před 19 dny

    I wonder how many jaguar drivers were interviewed for this piece.
    Ask them about the control mechanisms, the engine, the gen2 avionics. This thing made the hawk look like an f35. Or so I heard.
    Supremely beautiful looking over derwentwater.

  • @Optikification
    @Optikification Před 20 dny

    I was at RAF Bruggen Germany when we phased out the Jag to be replaced by the Tornado 17f squadron.