HASAGAWA 1:72 JAGUAR GR MK.1/A

Reviewer: Myself  (braithy@bigpond.com)

The Sepecat Jaguar was developed from a joint design programme between Breguet Aviation (France) and British Aircraft Corporation (UK) and has resulted in this exceptional attack aircraft.  The Gr.Mk 1 version derived from the Jaguar S variant first flown in 1969.   The Jaguar serves in the tactical support role for RAF and French Air Forces with state of the art inertial navigation and weapons system that allows it to strike its target at high speeds on the first run.  The attack system comes complete with a digital computer and laser range finder.

The Jaguar rates as one of my all-time favourite aircraft and getting a decent kit of it was a must.  I settled on the Hasagawa kit and as it turns out I was not let down one iota.  This is a lovely kit that breems with typical Hasagawan engineering technology and aircraft research ability and will make the Jaguar A, Gr Mk.1 or International versions.  Three sprues of injected mold plastic, one clear, with about 65 parts altogether, some of which are not used depending on which version you decide to build. Engraved panel lines, nice detail and crisp quality is prevalent on all kit parts.

The instruction sheet is again typical of Hasagawa, folding out in four folds that includes apart from assembly steps, brief historical note and colour call outs, a side view comparing the three versions this kit replicates with each other, plus a diagramme showing a list of common stores loads between the versions.  There's adequate information in the instructions to prompt you for the optional construction methods depending on which version you are building.

The fuselage is separated into four pieces split vertically, with the forward portion sized to encase the cockpit.  The cockpit detail is quite reasonable, the pilot figure is placed onto a seat in a tub that includes side panels, control stick and front instrument panel.  Decals are supplied for the various consoles.  Wheel well detail is not brimming with enormity but still has a little bit to show off.  After encasing the cockpit you attach one of two nose cones, depending on the variation you're building, either the Jaguar A or Jaguar Gr Mk.1/International.  The tail fin is the other major physical difference between the A and Gr/International versions and Hasagawa have supplied both fins in the kit to build the desired variant.

Construction is completely smooth sailing, just a tiny bit of filler called for but overall no hassles whatsoever and the kit builds quickly and easily.  Optional parts include an open/closed canopy and crew ladder to attach to the cockpit. There are plenty of bombs, missiles and rocket pods to keep the warmonger happy and those I didn't use went into the spares box.  Overwing missiles are also supplied for the International version with a pylon that looks like it will be a bit fiddly to attach.  I chose the GR Mk.1 version for my project so I fitted it with Sidewinders on outer pylons, rocket pods on inner pylon and cluster bombs along the centreline.

(Addendum supplied by Neil Crawford):  The only thing I changed was the small windows in the nose (Laser Designator) - which had to be added.  The sit of the model is also suspect, if you build it right out of the box, you get a sort of tip-toe appearance. I spent a lot of time rebuilding the main undercarriage to make it sit a bit lower, this weakens it unfortunately, but it looks better. Its probably more bother than its worth, but I thought you might be interested.

The kit allows for three versions of the Jaguar to be built and supplies decals for one aircraft for each of them.  A 54th Squadron from Coltishall AB, England is the subject for the GR Mk.1 variant decked out in dark green and ocean grey overall colour scheme, plus shark's mouth and blue/yellow checkerboard along the intakes (also features on box art).  This is the version I chose and it makes for a lovely looking aircraft.   A Jaguar International version decked out in the same colour scheme is provided, and I assume it is supposed to replicate the prototype by virtue of it's "Jaguar International" symbols that are apparent. The International version is very similar to the Gr Mk.1 version with only the overwing missile giving it away - and was naturally made as the export variant of the Jaguar. I can see nothing wrong with getting some other aftermarket decals, or whatever, and replicating a version overseas - Nigeria, India, Ecuador or Oman.  Finally the last version is a French Jaguar A of 11FAF dressed in the common dark green, grey-blue scheme with white undersides.  The kit decals are good quality and they were used to finish off my replication without any problems.

Overall this is an excellent kit. It compares very well to reference photos and measures up exactly.  This kit is also one of my favourite kits in itself, it was easy to make and fits were nearly perfect everytime.  If you're looking for a good Jaguar depiction look no further, this is about as best as they come.

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Jaguar International in UK insignia