1/72 Hasegawa 'Gulf' Jaguar GR1

"Johnny Fartpants"

by Neil Burkill

--------------------

 

This model was built for ex. Sqn. Ldr (41 Sqn) Steve Shutt, who flew this 'plane during the first 'Gulf War'. I have known Steve for over 13 yrs and he has been more than helpful with various projects I have had in the past, so a model of his 'plane was not a problem.
One of lifes "good blokes....."  and he has suggested the following remark: 
"The Jags flew over 600 missions in the Gulf War, of which I (Steve) flew 31. We were mostly operating over Kuwait, from Bahrain, but did the odd Victor tanker supported mission over Iraq. No losses were suffered during the war itself although we lost two pilots in Gulf related training immediately prior to the Op. Following the Gulf, the wing deployed to Turkey to police the no-fly zone and after that to Italy for operations over the former Yugoslavia. 
The Jag wing has been in operations from 1990 to the present day, alternating between these two areas".

Click on images below to see larger images

The model: to pose it at the point of rotation, brass pins were inserted into each mainwheel which then sit in corresponding holes in the base. Nose wheel was extended as it would no longer be on the ground and all undercarriage was detailed with rod or wire. Scratchbuilt items are the ALQ and Phimat pods, the tandem pylons, overwing Sidewinders (plastic rod with photo-etch fins) and rails, blade arials/pitot tubes, intake side-doors, arrestor hook, various odds and ends in the cockpit and the extended flaps and slats. The laser  range-seeker is a piece of clear perspex and the AN/ALE40 flare dispensers added under the rear fuselage. Photo-etch fuses were added to the rear of the four bombs.

An overall coat of Desert Pink was sprayed on and a 'wash' of Raw-Umber artists oil paint was applied to the panel lines. Those Jags did not look clean in operational service!  The model was then further weathered with pastel-chalks and dry-brushing. All the markings and nose art came from the Modeldecal sheet No.110. Incidentally, Steve also had a hand in supplying reference material for the Modeldecal 'Gulf' markings.....

For those who don't know, the character 'Johnny Fartpants' is from the Viz comic-book from the UK.
Neil    ( With thanks to Steve Shutt ).

Click on images below to see larger images

Photos and text © by Neil Burkill