Italeri 1/72 Jaguar T.2 Kit First Look

By Michael Benolkin

First Look

The SEPECAT Jaguar is a twin-engine strike aircraft designed with a wing loading that provides a stable release platform at low-level/high speed flight. This aircraft can carry a sizable weapons load into harms way and get the job done well, as proven by RAF and French Air Force pilots during Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm.

SEPECAT was a joint venture between the UK and French governments to develop a common strike aircraft at a lower overall cost by sharing development costs. The original design was intended to be a counter to the General Dynamics F-111K that was being considered by the RAF in light of the cancellation of the TSR.2 program. In the end, the RAF embraced a simpler solution that would become Jaguar.

As the Jaguar was a single seat combat aircraft, the RAF and French Air Force both required a two-seat conversion and proficiency trainer. Thirty-eight Jaguar trainers were produced for the RAF and another forty for the French.

Italeri has released several versions of the 1/72 single-seat Jaguar in the past years, this is the first time they've addressed the two-seat trainer. This may be a re-release of the T.2 from other molds, I cannot say.

This kit is molded in light gray styrene and is presented on two parts trees, plus a single tree containing the clear parts. The detailing is nicely scribed on the wing and fuselage surfaces.

Oddly enough, on the same tree that provides the two-seat nose are a variety of weapons and stores that are not used in this project. This includes MAGIC missiles, bombs, rocket pods, a reconnaissance pod, and even the ECM-equipped vertical stab from the single-seat RAF version.

Assembly appears to be straightforward with the most fitting and fiddling where the forward and rear fuselages come together.

Markings are included for three examples:

• Jaguar T.2, 54 Sqn, RAF Coltishall, 2004
• Jaguar T.2, 6 Sqn, RAF Coltishall, 2003
• Jaguar T.2, 41 Sqn, RAF Coltishall, 1995

In addition to the distinctive unit and national markings, the decal sheet provides a nice set of maintenance stencils for the airframe.

This aircraft will look nice on your scale flightline. The three distinctive color schemes (overall dark sea gray, overall sand, or wrap-around dark sea gray and dark green). This kit is recommended to builders of all skill levels.

My sincere thanks to Testors for this review sample!