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Cranston Fine Arts  Aviation Art and Artists Modern Era Aircraft  Jaguar |
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| Jaguar Aviation Prints |
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| Text for the above items : |
The Longest Minute by Michael Rondot. Just off target there was a lot of flak. Its the first time I have ever seen tracer coming up at me. It was the longest minute of my life. These sobering words brought home the reality of war when a Jaguar pilot described his feelings to waiting press reporters, after coming under fire front AAA during an attack on Iraqi forces in Kuwait on 20 January 1991. The remorseless precision pounding of strategic and tactical Iraqi targets in the Kuwait Theatre of Operations was barely three days old when these words were spoken, but six weeks later, as the hostilities of Operation Desert Storm reached a climax, RAF jaguar pilots still counted the seconds during the long minutes of their dive attacks onto heavily defended targets. Success was important, since many of the targets posed a serious threat to both allied ground and naval forces. Artillery and missile sites were attacked in equal measure with airfields, barracks and ammunition dumps during the Jaguars six week war. Brilliantly led by Wing Commander Bill Pixton AFC, the Jaguars, based at Al Muharraq, Bahrain, flew over 600 combat missions during Operation Desert Storm without loss, suffering only two hits from anti-aircraft fire Often flying into treacherous weather and heavy calibre AAA, the Jaguar pilots dispelled many myths about their aircraft during these tense times. We pushed the aeroplane so far outside its flight envelope that I wouldn't have believed it could do it if I hadn't seen it with my own eyes was how one pilot described taking his fully loaded Jaguar transonic at over 34,000 feet during one mission ingress. Michael Rondots painting depicts the moment when the last man to attack, the number 8 at the tail end of the formation watches and waits before tipping in to attack. For him the longest minute is about to begin. The first 4 Jaguars have already attacked and are feet wet returning to base, having dropped their load of 1000lb bombs on the target. During the next few minutes the second four-ship will press home their attack, releasing sixteen 1000lb airburst bombs totally devastating the target before escaping out to sea, away from the coastal AAA flak belt and back to their base at Bahrain. |
Coup de Grace by Michael Rondot. 30th January 1991. Day 14 of Operation Desert Storm, and ships of the Iraqi navy make a desperate dash for the northern waters of the Persian Gulf and sanctuary in Iranian waters. Only a few of them will make it through the gauntlet of Allied air-power lying in wait to attack any surface contacts.Already on fire amidships after being attacked by US Navy aircraft, this Polnocny C class landing ship has fallen prey to a pair of rocket and cannon-armed Jaguars only a few miles from the mouth of the Shatt-al-Arab waterway in southern Iraq. The Jaguars, led by Wing Commander Bill Pixton AFC, make a low pass to confirm the identity of the ship and turn away to position for their attack that will leave the Polnocny sinking, ablaze from end to end. Coup de Grace portrays the incident as it unfolds, capturing the moment when the Jaguar flight leader looks back over his shoulder at the burning ship and prepares to attack. The Jaguars will unleash four pods of CRV-7 rockets onto their target and then re-attack with 30mm cannon before returning to base at the end of a harrowing 3-hour mission. Heavily armed, and using Victor tankers to in-flight refuel, RAF Jaguars often flew combat air patrols over the northern Persian Gulf from their base at Al-Muharraq, Bahrain, during the first weeks of Operation Desert Storm. Their task was to seek and destroy Iraqi army and naval targets, or to locate and to suppress enemy AAA during rescue missions for downed Allied airmen. The results were invariably the same: the targets were hit, and the Jaguars, despite coming under fire, returned safely home. |
Distant Thunder by Michael Rondot. This print shows a Jaguar in particularly aggressive pose during a high speed low-level training mission to demonstrate modern fast-jet operations. As a serving Jaguar pilot, artist Michael Rondot was in a unique position to take passengers flying in this remarkable ground-attack aircraft and to put their experience onto canvas. |
Broken Silence by Michael Rondot. The Jaguars are en-route to Cape Wrath to carry out precision-guided bombing attacks at Garbh-eilean weapons range. The lead aircraft is armed with a Paveway II laser guided bomb, whilst the No 2 is carrying a TIALD pod to laser designate their target. In the background mighty Ben Hope, soaring up to 3040 feet, forms a massive backdrop against a darkening sky as the Big Cats get down to business. |
Coltishall - End of the Line by Michael Rondot. Life on the flightline at Royal Air Force Coltishall with the 41 Squadron engineering line building in the background. Coltishall was the last Royal Air Force station to operate three squadrons of aircraft from flightlines in front of squadron hangars and the last operational front-line former Battle of Britain fighter station. |
Enter the Saint by Robert Tomlin. Flight Lieutenant Paul Binns from 16 Squadron, RAF Coltishall launches the Jaguar into another breathtaking display sequence. |
Arctic Warrior by Michael Rondot. Bardufoss airbase, over 150 miles North of the Arctic circle in the far North of Norway, was for twenty years the deployment base for No.41(F) Squadron Jaguars. Flying in the ground attack and reconnaissance roles, the former Battle of Britain Squadron were Arctic operations specialists in a region noted for its dangerous winter weather and extreme flying conditions. This print portrays a Jaguar GR3, carrying Vinten JRP reconnaissance pod, in action during NATO exercises in the rugged and inhospitable area where military pilots enjoy some of the most challenging flying in the world. Michael Rondot has drawn on his own experiences of low flying in north Norway to create a stunning painting dominated by the camouflaged Jaguar and dramatically illustrating the bleak terrain and atmosphere of an Arctic Warrior! |
Desert Cats by Michael Rondot. Fact. - No matter what the type of aircraft, the world record for low-flying can only ever be equalled; it cannot be beaten without hitting the ground. But getting close to it became an everyday routine for RAF Jaguar pilots on operational service in The Gulf after the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait. The barren featureless wastes of the desert offer few opportunities for a low-flying aircraft from enemy defenses by terrain screening or ducking below radar cover. The only effective counter over a flat desert is to fly so low that any missile fired at the aircraft hopefully will proximity-fuse on the ground before it reaches its target. Faced with an unprecedented threat from surface-to-air missile systems and fighter aircraft, the Jaguar pilots who deployed to Thumrait, Oman, as the spearhead of Operation Granby in August 1990 trained as they expected to fight, - at ultra low-level. Within weeks, most were comfortable at a radar altimeter cruise height of 35 feet at 480 knots, maybe climbing to 60 feet over undulating sand dunes or during high-G turns. Some were content to fly lower, cruising at 20-30 feet, and one or two individuals who should remain nameless were rarely seen above 20 feet. The phrase Getting down had taken on a new meaning. In October 1990 the Jaguars moved to Al-Muharraq, Bahrain, and continued to train at ultra low-level, but as the outbreak of hostilities drew close and it became apparent that US fighters were more than capable of dealing with any Iraqi air threat, they switched to medium-level tactics, preferring to take their chances with the AAA and SAM threat rather than low-flying through a hail of small-arms and short-range defensive fire around their targets in Kuwait and Iraq. Blessed with the sustained luck and inspired leadership of Wg Cdr Bill Pixton DFC AFC, the gamble paid off. 3 were hit by Iraqi AAA fire during the 6-week war, but none were lost. Since September 1991, Jaguars based at Incirlik, Turkey, have been flying low-level missions in Iraq as part of Operation Warden to protect Kurds against further Iraqi attack. Some of the pilots were on the initial Operation Granby deployment, and later flew war missions during Operation Desert Storm. Michael Rondot flew with them, and his painting captures the essence of speed and excitement as a pair of bomb-laden Jaguars break formation and head for the desert floor during a typical low-level sortie. Royal Air Force Jaguars at low level over the Arabian desert, signed by 25 Jaguar pilots who flew on Operation GRANBY, Operation DESERT STORM and Operation WARDEN. |
Jaguars Over Bosnia by Michael Rondot Royal Air Force Jaguar strike aircraft in action over Bosnia on close air support and reconnaissance operations. Each print bears the colour Royal Crests of Royal Air Force Coltishall and No. 6, 41 and 54 Jaguar Squadrons. |
Jaguar Flight Test On by Geoff Lea. No text for this item |
Jaguars Over Kilduff by Michael Rondot. A striking portrayal of a simulated low-level attack by four Jaguars from RAF Coltishall, over the beautiful pastoral landscape of Kilduff, in East Lothian, Scotland. Since its introduction in the 1970s to front-line service in the ground attack; nuclear strike and reconnaissance roles, the Jaguar has defied sceptics and proved itself to be one of the finest tactical aircraft in the history of the Royal Air Force. Battle-tested in the Gulf War, where 618 combat sorties were flown without loss by just 12 aircraft, the Jaguar now enjoys an enviable reputation as an effective, rugged and exceptionally reliable combat aircraft. |
54(F) Squadron Farewell by Michael Rondot A famous fighter squadron with a glorious history, No.54(F) Squadron began its distinguished career in the fierce fighting on the Western Front during World War I. In 1940, flying Spitfires, it was the highest scoring RAF fighter squadron in the Battle of Britain and went on to become one of the few squadrons to fly Spitfires operationally during the whole of World War II. Always a front line squadron, No.54(F) Squadron flew Tempests, Vampires, Meterors and Hunters before graduating from F4 Phantoms to Jaguars in 1974. Commanded by Wg Cdr Terry Carkton, it became the first RAF Jaguar Squadron at Coltishall, so continuing its tradition of flying only fighter/ground attack aircraft during its distinguished history. |
Jaguar Farewell by Michael Rondot. The Jaguar served with the Royal Air Force from 1974 to 2007 as a strike/attack and reconnaissance fighter bomber, equipping eight squadrons in Germany and the UK during the Cold War, and was used in combat during the first Gulf War and in the Balkans conflict. Now at the end of its RAF career, it will be remembered as a rugged and reliable aircraft, capable of finding and putting bombs on a target in bad weather with unprecedented accuracy. This print portrays the Jaguar in typical Jaguar weather climbing on full reheat afterburners! Showing off the classic lines of this incredible aircraft and chosen by the Pilots of 6 Sqn, the final Jaguar Sqn, it is sure to be the true collectors choice for as Michael Rondot, drawing on his own experiences as a Jaguar pilot, has created a fine tribute and a fitting epitaph to an outstanding combat aircraft. |
Jaguar Sunset by Michael Rondot. The Jaguar served with the Royal Air Force from 1974 to 2007 as a strike / attack and reconnaissance fighter bomber, equipping eight squadrons in Germany and the UK during the Cold War, and in the Balkans conflict. Now at the end of its RAF career, it will be remembered as a rugged and reliable aircraft, capable of finding and putting bombs on a target in bad weather with unprecedented accuracy. The painting portrays a favourite haunt of Jaguar pilots: the west coast of Scotland near Torridon looking towards the Isle of Skye and Kyle of Lochalsh, an area where military pilots enjoy some of the most challenging flying in the world. |
Thunder in the Hills by Gerald Coulson. Royal Air Force Jaguars spend most of their operational time at very low level. Sparsely populated areas such as the valleys of North Wales, Scotland and the lakes of Cumbria, provide ideal training areas to perfect the skills required to hide behind high ground and remain undetected by enemy radar. Flying at 250 ft and 500 mph, two Jaguar GR1s from No2 squadron on a low level reconnaissance exercise are the subject of this painting. |
Snowcat by Robert Tomlin. Jaguar GR3A from 41 (Fighter) Squadron based at RAF Coltishall and flown by Squadron Leader Ian Smith thunders down a Norwegian fjord. Coltishall Jaguars regularly deploy on exercise in northern Norway as part of NATO's protection of its northern flank. However, Spring of 2006 saw the closure of RAF Coltishall, the loss of an historic airfield. |
Jaguar Patrol by Philip West Originally built as a joint effort between Great Britain and France, the SEPECAT Jaguar has over the years of service, more than lived up to its powerful feline name, providing the RAF with a supersonic ground attack and reconnaissance platform. During combat and support missions the Big Cat has proven to be a very reliable and potent asset. |
| Jaguar Pilot and aircrew signature details |
Squadron Leader Dave Bagshaw AFC Our estimated value of this signature : £10 | Squadron Leader Dave Bagshaw AFC Flew Jaguars from 1974 - 1991. The only pilot with 4000 hours on type. |
Flight Lieutenant Paul Binns Our estimated value of this signature : £15 | Flight Lieutenant Paul Binns Jaguar pilot, No.16 Sqn. Flight Lieutenant Paul Binns joined the Royal Air Force in 1988 and completed his Officer Training at the Royal Air Force College, Cranwell. Following flying training on the Jet Provost and the Hawk, he was posted to Lossiemouth in 1990 to 237(R) Squadron, the Buccaneer Operational Conversion Unit. After his conversion course, Paul was posted to 12(B) Squadron to fly the Buccaneer S2B in the maritime Strike/Attack Role. When 12(B) Squadron re-roled, Paul was posted 208 Squadron to continue flying the Buccaneer. With the demise of the Buccaneer in 1994, Paul was posted to 6 Squadron at Coltishall, flying the Jaguar GR1A. He has flown on exercises throughout Europe, North America and the Middle-East in addition to flying on peace-keeping operations over the former Yugoslavia. In 1998 Paul completed the Jaguar Qualified Weapons Instructor Course and was posted to the instructional staff of 16(R) Squadron, the Jaguar Operational Conversion Unit at Lossiemouth. When not displaying, his job on the Squadron is to teach pilots to fly and operate the Jaguar. |
Air Commodore Terry Carlton Our estimated value of this signature : £10 | Air Commodore Terry Carlton Officer Commanding 54(F) Sqn Jaguar 1974-1976 |
Squadron Leader Mike Crook Our estimated value of this signature : £10 | Squadron Leader Mike Crook Flew Jaguars with the RAF and Nigerian AF 1975 - 1989. |
  Jimmy Dell OBE Our estimated value of this signature : £50 Died : 2008 | Jimmy Dell OBE Jimmy Dell joined the RAF in 1942 and after the war flew F-86Es and the first radar equipped F-86D with the USAF. He was the first RAF Lightning Project Test Pilot and later became Chief Test Pilot at English Electric/BAC test flying Lightning, TSR 2 and Jaguar. One of a unique breed of aviators who have achieved great career success as a fast jet test pilot within both military and commercial environments. Probably best known for his work on the English Electric Lightning, Jimmy Dell has used his skill, courage and intimate knowledge of aerodynamics to reach the very top of a highly demanding profession. Joining the RAF in 1942, Jimmy Dell did his initial pilot training in Southern Rhodesia. By 1944 he had already become a Flying Instructor for advanced trainers. After the war Jimmy performed various training and test flying roles on aircraft such as Spitfires, Meteors, Venoms and Hunters. He also led test flight teams to the USA and France to work on aircraft such as the F-100, F-104, F-105, F-106, Mystere 4 and Mirage 3. In 1960 he joined English Electric on the Lightning development programme and was Chief Test Pilot from 1961 to 1970. Jimmy also worked on the TSR2 programme and flew 12 of the aircraft's 24 test flights, before its untimely cancellation in 1965. He worked on the French / UK Jaguar programme, and finally became Director, Flight Operations with responsibility for all Tornado test flight activities across the three participating countries. Jimmy Dell retired in 1989. Amongst his awards was the OBE for services to test flying. Sadly, Jimmy Dell died on 25th March 2008. A Clipped Signature is Available |
Wing Commander Steve Griggs AFC Our estimated value of this signature : £10 | Wing Commander Steve Griggs AFC Steve Griggs has flown the Jaguar since 1976 with 31, 54(F) and 41(F) squadrons. In 1982 he ejected twice within a five-month period; the first after being shot down over Germany by an AIM-9 Sidewinder missile fired inadvertently from an RAF F-4 Phantom; the Second after a catastrophic engine fire over Northeast Scotland. He was awarded the Air Force Cross for pioneering night low level flying in the Jaguar With night vision goggles and was at the time of signing the print, the Officer Commanding 41(F) Squadron. |
Air Vice-Marshal Chris Harper CBE Our estimated value of this signature : £10 | Air Vice-Marshal Chris Harper CBE Air Marshal Christopher N Harper CBE , RAF, is a senior Royal Air Force Officer, who joined the Royal Air Force in the Flying branch in 1976, and was assigned to the SEPECAT Jaguar force, with 41( F ) Squadron, 31 and 14 Squadrons. Between 1994 and 1997 he commanded 41( F ) Squadron and was involved in operations over Bosnia. He was involved in operations over Iraq whilst Station Commander, RAF Coltishall during 1999-2001. Harper was promoted to the rank of Air Marshal an appointment to the NATO post of Deputy Commander Joint Force Command Brunssum on 31st March 2009. |
Air Vice-Marshal Eric Macey Our estimated value of this signature : £15 | Air Vice-Marshal Eric Macey Eric Macey joined the RAF in 1954 and, after graduating as a pilot, flew Hunter fighters with 263 and 1 Sqns. He next joined the rapidly-expanding V-Force, initially flying Valiants of 214 Sqn on in-flight refuelling trials, and completed the first non-stop flight to Singapore. Then followed a Vulcan captaincy with 101 Sqn on which, over the next several years, he served as Sqn Pilot, Training Officer and Sqn Cdr (and which formed part of his Wing when he was OC Waddington). Between times, he was Chief Instructor of the Vulcan OCU at Scampton and, for a short time, also Stn Cdr there. Posted to Germany in 1979, he flew the Wessex, Puma, Jaguar, Phantom and Harrier and later served as AOC (of the University Air Squadrons) and Commandant of the RAF College Cranwell where he re-qualified on the Jet Provost. His final tour as Director-General Training added another 15 aircraft types bringing his total flying hours to about 3400 (1900 on the Vulcan) and total types flown to 60. |
Wg Cdr Bill Pixton AFC Our estimated value of this signature : £15 | Wg Cdr Bill Pixton AFC Commanding Officer of the RAF Gulf Jaguar Detachment. |
 Wing Commander Mike Seares MBE Our estimated value of this signature : £45 Died : 2005 | Wing Commander Mike Seares MBE Mike Seares joined the RAF in 1984 and graduated from flying training with HRH Prince Feisal in 1988 and joined 54(F) Sqn. He flew Jaguars during the 1991 Gulf War before becoming a QWI and flight commander on 6Sqn. He achieved 3,000 hours on the type during the squadron's diamond-nine flypast at the Families' Day. One of the youngest squadron commanders in the RAF, he assumed command of 6 Sqn at RAF Coltishall in 2002. He was promoted to Headquarters Strike Command at High Wycombe, Bucks, before being made Group Captain in November 2004. Sadly, Mike Seares died in August 2005. |
Squadron Leader Ian Smith Our estimated value of this signature : £15 | Squadron Leader Ian Smith Jaguar pilot, No.41 Sqn. |
Wing Commander John Sullivan Our estimated value of this signature : £10 | Wing Commander John Sullivan CO of No.6 Squadron, the last RAF Jaguar squadron at the retirement of the aircraft in 2007. |
Air Chief Marshal Sir John Thomson GCB CBE AFC Our estimated value of this signature : £10 Died : 1994 | Air Chief Marshal Sir John Thomson GCB CBE AFC Sir John Thomson is the Jaguar Force's most respected senior pilot. He commanded 41(F) squadron when it re-equipped with the Jaguar in the recce/attack role and later commanded the RAF Germany strike/attack wing at RAF Bruggen. Up until 1994 he was Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief Strike Command and then was appointed Commander-in-Chief Allied Forces NORTHWEST. Sadly, days after taking up this post, he took ill and was rushed to hospital, where he died on 10th July 1994. |
Air Vice-Marshal Glen Torpy CBE DSO Our estimated value of this signature : £10 | Air Vice-Marshal Glen Torpy CBE DSO Glen Torpy was a reconnaissance/attack pilot flying Jaguars with the artist on No.41 Sqn before moving to Tornados. In the Gulf War he commanded No XIII Sqn and the Tornado reconnaissance force at Dhahran for which he was awarded the Distinguished Service Order. He is now Air Officer Commanding No 1 Group. |
| Jaguar Squadron details |
No.14 Sqn RAF Country : UK Known Codes : , BF, CX, LY, | No.14 Sqn RAF I spread my wings and keep my promise |
No.16 Sqn RAF Country : UK Known Codes : , EE, EG, KJ, UG, | No.16 Sqn RAF Operta aperta - Hidden things are revealed |
No.2 Sqn RAF Country : UK Known Codes : , KA, KO, OI, XV, | No.2 Sqn RAF Hereward - Guardian of the Army |
No.31 Sqn RAF Country : UK Known Codes : , CB, 5D, EE, ZA, | No.31 Sqn RAF In caelum indicum primus - First into Indian skies |
No.41 Sqn RAF Country : UK Known Codes : , EB, PN, | No.41 Sqn RAF Seek and destroy |
No.54 Sqn RAF Country : UK Known Codes : , KL, DL, HF, | No.54 Sqn RAF Audax omnia perpeti - Boldness to endure anything |
No.6 Sqn RAF Country : UK Known Codes : , JV, NI, XE, ZD, | No.6 Sqn RAF Oculi exercitus - The eyes of the army |
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