A.S.T. 362 (Supersonic advanced trainer for the R.A.F.)

[TallEng]

In 1963, the Royal Air Force were looking for a new supersonic advanced trainer aircraft; a type that would replace the Gnat and eventually the Hunter in the trainer roles from 1970 onwards. This would save on the costs of operating two increasingly outdated types and offer more realistic training for pilots destined for heavier and faster types such as the Lightning and TSR2. Air Staff Target 362 was drawn up to initiate a study of suitable designs and was issued to the varied collection of aircraft manufacturers still in existence at the time - Hunting, Folland, English Electric and the Hawker-Siddeley group. AST 362 suggested that if suitable weapons capability was added, the aircraft could even carry out a limited counter-insurgency role, but it really was primarily to be a high performance trainer. Seating would be in tandem, with provision for some aircraft to give up the rear instructor position and replace it with a navigator position so that navigators could be trained too. Strict weight limits and impressive supersonic and low level endurance were called for. However, the sheer cost of existing advanced projects (P.1154, TSR2 and AW.681) meant that the RAF was looking at footing a huge bill all at once, or delaying the acquisition of the new trainer for some time. It was then discovered that the French government were looking for a potential partner to collaborate on a design for an advanced trainer with strike/attack capabilities. These two parallel requirements led to discussions between the two nations for a collaboration on a single aircraft to meet the requirements of both Britain and France, with a provisional joint specification released in March 1964, followed by a refined specification in October 1964. A decision to proceed was formalized in a "memorandum of understanding (MOU)" signed on 17 May 1965. As far as the trainer / light attack aircraft went, the initial agreement envisioned that the RAF would obtain 150 advanced trainer variants, while the AdA would obtain 75 trainer variants and 75 light attack variants. The name "Jaguar" was announced for the new aircraft in June 1965. The British trainer was designated "Jaguar B (Biplace)", while the French trainer was designated "Jaguar E (Ecole)" and the French light attack aircraft was designated "Jaguar A (Appui)".

So what if that's really what the RAF got?

Jaguar T1 4FTS RAF Valley 1970
It's not finished yet (I've just lost the Ejector seats )
Hope you like
Regards
Keith

[CSMO]

It looks just fine in that eye-popping trainer livery. Adios, Larry.

[Martin H]

cool a very decent build in the red/white and grey. 

I had a go at one very much like this about ten years ago, using the Matchbox kit. Mine looks ok(ish) from a distance of about 30 feet lol

<edit> after a quick dig around the h/d i found this old low rez photo of my attempt. Taken with a 2nd hand Sony Mavicka. remember them things?


Like I said, looked ok at long range and low rez 

[Gondor]

That's tempting to build, might have a go at one myself some time....

Gondor

[Old Wombat]

No seats? Not a problem!

MoD decides seats are not a requirement in the AST's because the trainers can also be used to increase pilot strength, stamina, general aerobic fitness & reflexes. In the event of an emergency all the trainee-pilot & pilot-trainer will need do is blow the canopy & jump (with maximum effort).



Guy

[Captain Canada]

Nice work guys ! The Jag looks awesome in those colours....too bad they weren't still flying...

[PR19_Kit]

It's not finished yet (I've just lost the Ejector seats )
Hope you like
Regards
Keith

Aeroclub?

[Mossie]

Looking good.  It's got the gears working, prototype in silver and dayglo (as per some of the early artwork), Red Arrows, Patrouille De France, special schemes etc.

[NARSES2]

That is looking nice 

[Glenn Gilbertson]

Those look good - they could have happened!

[TallEng]

Looking good.  It's got the gears working, prototype in silver and dayglo (as per some of the early artwork), Red Arrows, Patrouille De France, special schemes etc.

I thought about light aircraft grey and Dayglo, but convinced myself they would have been delivered in red/white/grey. Although I suppose the development/trials Sqn could have had L.A.G/Dayglo?

But what really set the cogs whirring was the thought that the Jag was a replacement for the Hunter,
And a Hunter T? Was suggested as a lead in trainer for the T.S.R.2, so....
Maybe the Jaguar could have been used as the lead in trainer; Jaguar T(SR)2 anyone?
I'm not sure what changes would be needed, or if they would even show from the outside.
I'll have to look in DamianB's Big Book again......

Regards
Keith(still looking for those ******* ejector seats)

[Gondor]

Seats! Try these!

http://www.hannants.co.uk/product/PAVS72024

Gondor

[TallEng]

Magic if a little rough looking
I've actually found the seats that I'd made previously and safely put away in an Airfix
Angel Interceptors box (no don't ask  ) but also within this box were some seats from a
Revell Phantom much better so that's what's fitted at the moment.

Regards
Keith

[Gondor]

Magic if a little rough looking

A little rough looking    Your probably not seeing the detail that Plava put into their goods due to the resin being while which in the photograph is hiding the detail quite well!

Gondor