French JAGUAR 1973-2005 The End

[araman]

May 24th, 1973 - July 1st, 2005 or 32 years of operational career for the French JAGUAR.

July 1, 2005, at St Dizier airbase, an official ceremony will put an end to the career of the JAGUAR within the French Air Force.

On June 28th, this airbase (BA113) received some journalists and some spotters. At the time of a Briefing, LCL LEBRUN, paid a homage to the Anglo-French fighters, its pilots and its mechanics.
The 6 planes always in service with the E.C.01.007 (2 two-seater + 4 single-seat), should join the base of Chateaudun the next week for stockage. However the two-seater, decorated to mark the end of the French JAGUAR, could take part in the RIAT (not confirmed).

135 people worked at the Squadron for the last 6 JAGUAR, and the 5 ALPHAJET which are used as “target» for the others Squadrons. The airbase of St Dizier will be transformed to accommodate at the beginning of 2006, the RAFALE. Some mechanics are in Mont de Marsan airbase, for 8 months of transformation on the new airplane. Others mechanics are involved in the modernization of the MIRAGE 2000D.

DO NOT HESITATE TO EXCAVATE IN YOUR ARCHIVES
THIS IS THE THREAD OF FRENCH JAGUAR PHOTOGRAPHS

Sorry for my English.

ARAMAN

[glanini]

The english are making a lot of rumours for the retirment of the Jaguar and the french they just don't care, probably they have always considered them as a british aircraft

[Dubya]

Shame. It's a great aircraft and is probably more suitable to current low intensity conflicts than most jet fighters currently in service. At least the Indians are continuing with their 100+ Jags. What's the status of Ecuadorian Jags? Also will the Omani aircraft be retired once the F-16 enters service?

[aditya]

Cant belive that both RAF and AdA would retire this brute in such rapid succession!

http://img105.echo.cx/img105/1226/jagervt8zr.jpg
http://img105.echo.cx/img105/4306/jaguar1a9is.jpg

[Indian1973]

Jags will live on for 25 yrs atleast, India is still building a series of 39 new ones with all the latest toys attached!

[cinciboy]

Originally Posted by Indian1973

Jags will live on for 25 yrs atleast, India is still building a series of 39 new ones with all the latest toys attached!

I love those Jags.. beautiful a/c..

[jaguar00]

Interesting info and very nice photos.

[araman]

My first photograph of JAGUAR.

Taken in 1992 with my first reflex camera.

ARAMAN

[matt]

nice! what did you have ? PRAKTIKA LLC ?or canon AE-1?

[araman]

Canon EOS100, bought 1 month before.
More than 40000 shoots with this camera and always OK.

ARAMAN

[matt]

nice camera

[SteveYoung]

Such a shame to see the Jaguar retired from service. I have very fond memories of this aeroplane, having been privileged enough to have some back seat rides in 41 Sqn T2's in 1992.

[aditya]

Outside ACIG any good english references on AdA ops in Africa?

[PilotTHX]

Originally Posted by glanini

The english are making a lot of rumours for the retirment of the Jaguar and the french they just don't care, probably they have always considered them as a british aircraft

and it's more french than british,


Starting in the early 1960's, the French Air Force began looking for aircraft to replace its Lockheed T 33 and Fouga Magister trainers as well as its Mystère IV tactical fighters. In April 1964, the Aeronautics Technical Bureau invited French aeronautics companies to respond to a preliminary design in a programme for a twin-engined aircraft to equip ECAT (Ecole de combat and d’appui tactique, or School of Combat and Tactical Support). The ECAT programme resulted in the companies Dassault, with the Cavalier, and Breguet, with the Br 121, entering into competition. On 30th June 1964, the engineering offices of Breguet, headed by Georges Ricard, submitted to the competent authorities the project Br 121, a version of the Br 1001 Taon, with twin Rolls Royce RB 172-45 engines. The project Cavalier was finally abandoned following the choice of the Breguet aircraft.

It quickly became apparent that the RAF also needed an aircraft that corresponded rather closely to the characteristics of the Br 121. On 17th May 1965, the british concluded a protocol agreement with the french for the study and joint manufacture of a low-altitude combat and training aircraft. Responsibility fell to Breguet Aviation and the British Aircraft Corporation, under the management of the Franco-British joint-company SEPECAT (Société européenne de production de l’avion d’école de combat and d’appui tactique, or European Company for the Production of Aircraft for the School of Combat and Tactical Support). Breguet Aviation was acquired by the company Dassault in 1967.

and lots of pilots wait the rafale,

[Arthur]

The problem with the Jaguar wasn't as much that it was a Franco-British aircraft, the problem was that it was a Breguet design after Breguet was taken over by Dassault. Marcel and Serge were simply a bit too proud to give a lot of credit to a design that wasn't theirs, especially not since it competed in a number of areas with Dassault's own Mirage F1.

And the French do care about their Jag retirement, but since it has been a far more gradual process than in the UK the publicity is spread out over a longer stretch of time. And don't forget the only slowly crumbling language barrier between French and English.

Ara - love the Toul picture. I always liked that base a lot, too bad it's closed.