I have grown to really love the few books from the On Target series that I've reviewed just because I really like profile books. To me, the colors and markings on an aircraft are really what draws me to the subject. Sure, like most of us, I have my favorite airplanes, but if they were all painted the same, the interest would really be gone.

This particular edition is on the SEPECAT Jaguar. This aircraft was a joint development with the UK and France to provide a relatively unencumbered, low level strike aircraft. The French also developed a navalized version that was not successful and did not go past the prototype state. Interestingly, the French also looked upon a two seat Jaguar as a fast jet trainer while the British operated the two seaters as lead in aircraft for those going to Jaguar squadrons.

The aircraft was quite successful in combat with the British operating them in Desert Storm and in the Balkans campaigns while the French operated them in those theaters as well as in the Chad conflict and a few others. Export users include Nigeria, Oman, Ecuador, and its most successful user, India. In India the aircraft was built under license and an anti-shipping variant was locally developed.

As with most modern jets, the Jaguar has carried a lot of different standard camouflage colors and its fair share of special markings over the years. All of this is covered in superb detail with Jon Freeman's excellent illustrations as well as some color photographs.

Sadly for many, the Jaguar is now out of service with the majority of countries and units that flew it. India still operates many of its aircraft and the RAF's recently upgraded Jaguar GR.3s will be phased out in the next year as a cost savings measure, despite being as fully capable in its mission as even newer aircraft.

Needless to say, it is a book that I most highly recommend, along with others in this series. It is sure to spawn a number of decal sheets and I hope to have some of those to review later. 1/72 please!

June 2006

Review sample courtesy of Jon Freeman. This book can be found at www.theaviationworkshop.co.uk and at quality book sellers worldwide.

If you would like your product reviewed fairly and quickly by a site that has over 300,000 visitors a month, please contact me or see other details in the Note to Contributors.