Sepecat Jaguar GR.1/GR.IA

Airfix 1/48 scale

Reviewed by Brett Green

The SEPECAT Jaguar is a British-French supersonic jet attack aircraft originally used by the British Royal Air Force and the French Air Force in the close air support and nuclear strike role. As of 2025, the Jaguar remains in service with the Indian Air Force.

Originally conceived in the 1960s as a jet trainer with a light ground attack capability, the requirement for the aircraft soon changed to include supersonic performance, reconnaissance and tactical nuclear strike roles. A carrier-based variant was also planned for French Navy service, but this was cancelled in favour of the cheaper, fully French-built Dassault-Breguet Super Étendard. The aircraft were manufactured by SEPECAT (Société Européenne de Production de l'avion Ecole de Combat et d'Appui Tactique), a joint venture between Breguet and the British Aircraft Corporation, one of the first major joint British-French military aircraft programmes.

The Jaguar was exported to India, Oman, Ecuador and Nigeria. The aircraft was used in numerous conflicts and military operations in Mauritania, Chad, Iraq, Bosnia, and Pakistan, as well as providing a ready nuclear delivery platform for the United Kingdom, France, and India throughout the latter half of the Cold War and beyond.

The Jaguar was praised for its reliability in the Gulf War and was a valuable coalition resource. The aircraft served with the French Air Force as the main strike/attack aircraft until 1 July 2005, and with the Royal Air Force until the end of April 2007. It was replaced in service by the Eurofighter Typhoon in the RAF and the Dassault Rafale in the French Air Force.*

* Historical text from Wikipedia

Airfix released their first 1:48 scale Jaguar in 1994. Heller reboxed the kit around he same time, as did Revell more recently. These kits were somewhat simple with a basic cockpit, feature-poor design (fixed control surfaces, slats and flaps) and heavy recessed detail.

Still, 1:48 scale modellers had no alternative until Kitty Hawk's Jaguars followed nearly two decades later. The newer kit quickly established a dreadful but deserved reputation for poor fit and inaccuracy. The kit is now mercifully out of production with the demise of Kitty Hawk, leaving a Jaguar-shaped gap in the market for this important Cold Warrior.

Airfix has now released a brand new 1:48 scale Sepecat Jaguar GR.1 / GR.1A. This one simply blows the previous generation into dust.

The kit comprises 230 parts in grey plastic, 13 parts in clear plastic and markings for four aircraft.

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Thumbnail panels:

The model is packed in a stout cardboard box with a separate lid – a small detail perhaps but more robust that end-opening boxes.

The grey plastic is Goldilocks grade - not too hard, not too soft but just right. The plastic is easy to clean up and work on.

Surface textures are really lovely with recessed panel lines that are appropriately placed and crisp. Rivets are recessed and raised as appropriate and there are plenty of scoops, vents and so forth. The overall effect is very well done.

The cockpit looks very good. Optional overlay decals are supplied for the side consoles and instrument panel or you may prefer to paint the raised panel detail with a fine brush.

A choice of two different ejection seats is offered. The Martin-Baker Type 9B Type 2 is made up from seven parts while the Martin-Baker Type 9B Type 3 is made up from eight parts. Cushions and pull handles are included but harness straps are not.

Two pilot figures are supplied. One is wearing a temperate climate flying suit and the other is in desert garb.

There are a few errors and omissions in the cockpit. The control panel for the navigation system is missing from the left side of the instrument coaming and the glareshield is only correct for a GR.1, not a GR.1A.

Also note that the instrument panel is not correct for a Gulf War Jaguar. The circular projected map display was replaced with a rectangular LCD unit.

Kit engineering is thoughtful. The forward fuselage is moulded with the clear chisel nose. A plastic jig is offered to cut the nose off and replace it with the alternative pointed nose. This surgery is only required for marking option A.

Jigs are also supplied for assembling the intakes. Optional FOD guards are included for those who don’t like painting jet intakes (including me).

Wheel bays are made up from “flat packs” with separate sides and tops. Interior detail is beautiful.

The burner cans and flame holders are equally good.

The upper wing halves are full span with separate lower sections.

Leading edge slats, flaps and speed brakes are all separate assemblies that may be posed closed or open.

A choice of upper wing fences or AIM 9L Sidewinder missile launch rails is offered too.

Airfix has supplied plenty of ordnance including 1,000lb retarded bombs, 1,000lb free fall  bombs, 1,200 litre fuel tanks, EMI reconnaissance pod, fuel tanks plus ALQ-101 and PHIMAT pods.

The undercarriage looks great – intricate and well detailed. Care will be required to ensure accurate alignment. Tyres are bulged and flattened.

Clear parts look good. The canopy may be posed open.

Instructions come supplied in a 20 page booklet.

Markings

Markings are offered for four Jaguars:

• XX724/724, 54(F) Squadron, RAF Lossiemouth, Scotland, 1974

• XX741:EJ, 6(AC) Squadron, RAF Coltishall, England, 1990-94

• XZ118/Y Buster Gonad, 41 (Composite) Squadron, Operation Granby/Desert Storm, Muharraq Airport, Bahrain, October 1990 – March 1991

• XZ101:S, II(AC) Squadron, RAF Laarbruch, West Germany, 1976

Decals are glossy in finish, with good colour saturation and registration.

Airfix has delivered a real beauty with their all-new 1:48 scale Jaguar. Detail is world class, surface textures are restrained and convincing, options are plentiful and welcome, and parts breakdown is straightforward.

Sample purchased by reviewer from Hannants

Text and Images Copyright © 2025 by Brett Green
Page Created 19 April, 2025
Last updated 20 April, 2025

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