Year of the cat: SEPECAT Jaguar GR1 Kittyhawk 1/48
Here's my first entry into this group build, I couldn't find another subject with more than three cat references, this one has "CAT", "Jaguar" and "Kitty". It is, of course, Kittyhawk's 1/48 kit, which I managed to build with few problems other than those thrown up by the sometimes rather vague, instructions, some muddled up part numbers and my own incompetency. For a detailed description of the kit, and to see how it should be done, please look at my friend Chuck Villanueva's WIP thread over at the Year of the cat group build. Chuck is building the Desert Pink version. The kit gives you a choice of three colour schemes, I chose the 54 Squadron based at RAF Coltishall in 1979, Operation Bull's Eye, in the classic RAF colour scheme of grey and green. The kit decals went on without any major problems, typical Kittyhawk, being commendably thin, but difficult to move about on the model.
The SEPECAT (Societe Europeene de Production de l'avion Ecole de Combat et d'Appui Tactique) Jaguar is a British-French jet attack aircraft originally used by the British Royal Air Force and the French Air Force in the close air support and nuclear strike role. It is still in service with the Indian Air Force. Originally conceived in the early 1960s, after a long and protracted development it entered service in 1973 with the French Air Force where it serviced until July 2005, its service with the RAF lasted until April 2007.
After the Banshee this is my second completed Kittyhawk kit, do I qualify for a free T-shirt?
Thanks again for looking.
Now that looks good George. Glad to hear that you didn't encounter too many issues in the build. And your right on the instructions, some portions are vague or tend to leave some needed information out. Well done, thanks for sharing.
Thanks, Chuck, I'm following your WIP with interest, I'm sure your pink version will be great.
Typical KH with the instructions, but you’ve made a good job of this I think. I did do a double take when I saw your name against an aircraft...
Thank you, Rob, I've got a motorcycle to build next...
Hello George,
Fine build of this sturdy aircraft. It served France and the UK very well.
They even had a naval version in mind, but it never came that far.
What I miss on this beautiful model is the "Target Laser Designator" (TIALD) pod for getting the Laser Guided Bombs (LGB) on the right coordinate. Although this job of targeting can also be performed by other escorting aircraft.
Regards, Dirk / The Netherlands.
Thanks for your kind comment, Dirk, it's certainly an interesting aircraft armourment wise.
Nice work, George. What paint did you use?
Hi John, thanks for your question. I used Tamiya aerosol cans throughout, gray primer, AS-11 medium sea gray, AS-30 dark green, followed by clear gloss to apply and then seal the decals, finished off with Mr Color clear matt. I did a little weathering with Tamiya black panel line accent colour.
That's really well done. Great masking. I love Tamiya sprays but have never done a complete camo job with them. Nice work again, George.
Looks great! Nice choice in colour scheme. As Dirk says there was an intended naval version, Heller put out a 1/50 kit in a French Naval scheme.
The Jaguar seems to be a very popular aircraft for modellers, several manufacturers have released kits including Kittyhawk who have three versions in their catalogue. Thanks for looking, Robert.
Very nicely done George...good work (especially since it's a KH kit) - and I always wondered what "SEPECAT" stood for (thanks). Now if someone could please explain why they put the missiles on TOP of the wings, I'd be happy. 🙂
Hi Craig, many thanks for your kind comment. Maybe they just ran out of room under the wings?
Wow Georgey boy, that's a really nice Jaguar,I always like the rugged looking landing gear and generally tough looking stance of this aircraft,you've made a really nice job of this.
N.
Cheers, Neil, I agree, I think the Jaguar is a good looking aircraft, but be a combination of the British and the French influences on the design.
Great looking Jag! I'm working on a desert scheme version at the moment, but have another in the stash that is intended to carry this same livery. I've always thought the Jag had some of the most pleasing aesthetics of any aircraft. I also want to do one in Nigerian colors, just 'cause I like the combination of the scheme and the lines of the Jag.
Thanks for looking, Greg, I'm looking forward to seeing your Jaguars, I'm sure they will be well worth waiting for.
Nice Jag George. Had the 1/72 airfix kit when I was a boy. Thats two of my fav aircraft you have built recently, the banshee and now the jag. Good stuff. Nice work on both. Cheers George.
Hi Anthony, glad you enjoyed the Jaguar, we obviously have similar tastes, I wonder if you'll also enjoy the next one...
Lovely "Cat" George. I saw a number of these "Jags" during Desert Storm, helping us DATs and ground-pounders stay alive.
To ME, it is a beautiful and menaciong jet.
menacing - Ha! I'd better do a better job of proof-reading next time!
Thanks, Jeffry, the Jaguar was certainly a very effective aircraft during its service life.
George, Always thought this was a nice looking airplane that looks really nice when its built well, like this. Well done !
Thank you very much, Terry, much appreciated.
wow that looks great! would you recommend this kit ? would you build another? i have both the airfix and the revell in 1:48 in the stash. I love jags. I was fortunate to go to coltishall more than once, and whilst i never served there the station was amazing. great job
Great job on the Jaguar George! Nice to have this enigine detail with the panel removed. Well done!
Thank you, Ferry, I like the way that Kittyhawk have designed the kit to have some of the panels opened or removeable.
Nice mate! I like the camo scheme.
Cheers, Richard.