Jaguars at RAF Coltishall
11th March 2006

RAF Coltishall in Norfolk had long been the home to the remaining RAF Jaguar squadrons. As one of the many cutbacks forced upon the country's armed forces in 2004 was the annoucement that the station would close in 2006 and the one remaining Jaguar unit would serve it's final year at Coningsby. Coltishall has always maintained a enviable reputation as the most photographer friendly airfield in the UK, with easy viewing and no obvious heavy handed security restrictions. In fact the base attempts to accommodate us as much as is possible and will be greatly missed amongst the UK aviation photography community. Little work has been done on the infrastructure at Coltishall in the post war years and the base was the last surviving fighter station from the summer of 1940 to still operate fast jets. Some of these images were taken in November 2005 and the final group from the flypast at the Coltishall's closing parade on the 1st April 2006 (not a inspired choice by somebody).

<-- Index | Showing 1-25 of 25 pictures | Index -->
The classic Coltishall look from the 22 end. T4 on the move while a GR3A waits.
The classic Coltishall look from the 22 end. T4 on the move while a GR3A waits.
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Colt.11.jpg
2005-11-04 11:27:09
Jaguar T4 now lining up.
Jaguar T4 now lining up.
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Colt.14.jpg
2005-11-04 11:27:21
Same aircraft now ready to go. Shows 'FX' for 41 Squadron despite no insigna.
Same aircraft now ready to go. Shows 'FX' for 41 Squadron despite no insigna.
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Colt.13.jpg
2005-11-04 11:27:40
Two GR3As on the way out. Overwing AIM-9 rails give the single-seat Jaguar a distinctive look.
Two GR3As on the way out. Overwing AIM-9 rails give the single-seat Jaguar a distinctive look.
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Colt.12.jpg
2005-11-04 11:29:31
'FB' of 41 shows the squadron colours in the sun. Carries a practise bomb dispenser on the centreline.
'FB' of 41 shows the squadron colours in the sun. Carries a practise bomb dispenser on the centreline.
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Colt.15.jpg
2005-11-04 11:29:58
With both Jaguar's side by side, the pilot of 'FN' applies power....
With both Jaguar's side by side, the pilot of 'FN' applies power....
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Colt.16.jpg
2005-11-04 11:30:30
....afterburner comes on.
....afterburner comes on.
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Colt.17.jpg
2005-11-04 11:30:38
Both aircraft are now rolling. Unlike some aircraft, the Jaguar relies on the afterburner greatly as it is woefully underpowered. More than one has come to grief at the end of Coltishall's runway with tragic results.
Both aircraft are now rolling. Unlike some aircraft, the Jaguar relies on the afterburner greatly as it is woefully underpowered. More than one has come to grief at the end of Coltishall's runway with tragic results.
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Colt.18.jpg
2005-11-04 11:30:43
Coningsby's FJ&WOEU Jaguar visting the types main operating location. The jet is completely clean of stores.
Coningsby's FJ&WOEU Jaguar visting the types main operating location. The jet is completely clean of stores.
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Colt.19.jpg
2005-11-04 11:53:37
One T4 and two GR3As returning in the overhead.
One T4 and two GR3As returning in the overhead.
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Colt.20.jpg
2005-11-04 12:52:19
The classic Coltishall Jaguar shot!
The classic Coltishall Jaguar shot!
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Colt.21.jpg
2005-11-04 12:54:35
Same jet passing in front.....
Same jet passing in front.....
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Colt.22.jpg
2005-11-04 12:54:36
....and finally over the threshold and with the caravan behind.
....and finally over the threshold and with the caravan behind.
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Colt.23.jpg
2005-11-04 12:54:36
The T4 recovering as well.
The T4 recovering as well.
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Colt.24.jpg
2005-11-04 12:54:55
Already disbanded, this Jaguar still shows markings for 54 Squadron, the first of the operational Jaguar squadrons at Coltishall to disband earlier in the year.
Already disbanded, this Jaguar still shows markings for 54 Squadron, the first of the operational Jaguar squadrons at Coltishall to disband earlier in the year.
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Colt.25.jpg
2005-11-04 13:11:34
The sign of things to come. 'FC' has been stripped clean as it's heading for storage at St.Athan - probably never to return to flying status.
The sign of things to come. 'FC' has been stripped clean as it's heading for storage at St.Athan - probably never to return to flying status.
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Colt.26.jpg
2005-11-04 15:13:03
'FC' leaving for the last time?
'FC' leaving for the last time?
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Colt.27.jpg
2005-11-04 15:13:06
Another stripped down jet, this time with 6 Squadron markings.
Another stripped down jet, this time with 6 Squadron markings.
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Colt.28.jpg
2005-11-04 15:18:25
Afternoon, and the sun has gone in, but it's still a good place to get pictures.
Afternoon, and the sun has gone in, but it's still a good place to get pictures.
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Colt.29.jpg
2005-11-04 15:30:12
6 Squadron jets departing in the afternoon.
6 Squadron jets departing in the afternoon.
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Colt.30.jpg
2005-11-04 15:30:44
Diamond 9 of Jaguars on the final day as the base stands down.
Diamond 9 of Jaguars on the final day as the base stands down.
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IMG_3795.jpg
2006-04-01 12:44:02
A mixture of 6 and 41 Squadron jets although 41 from this date is no longer a Jaguar operator.
A mixture of 6 and 41 Squadron jets although 41 from this date is no longer a Jaguar operator.
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IMG_3799.jpg
2006-04-01 12:44:04
Passing overhead and heading for the parade on the airfield. The Jaguars flew from RAF Coningsby.
Passing overhead and heading for the parade on the airfield. The Jaguars flew from RAF Coningsby.
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IMG_3805.jpg
2006-04-01 12:44:08
The end.
The end.
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IMG_3810.jpg
2006-04-01 12:44:10
Unlike Coltishall, 41 Squadron still has a future. The Trials unit (FJ&WOEU) has taken over the 41 Squadron identity and a example of each type overflew the parade as well. It seems strange to see Tornado's and Harrier's in markings associated with Jaguars for so long.
Unlike Coltishall, 41 Squadron still has a future. The Trials unit (FJ&WOEU) has taken over the 41 Squadron identity and a example of each type overflew the parade as well. It seems strange to see Tornado's and Harrier's in markings associated with Jaguars for so long.
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IMG_3818.jpg
2006-04-01 13:44:47






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