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by Michael Napier.
Softcover (7.25×9.75 inches). 96 pages. 2025.
This Anglo-French cooperative design began with the goal of producing a trainer and light attack jet. The first prototype flew in 1968 and other versions, including recon, were added. This volume covers its main deployments with many, many extensive first-person accounts.
The jet was primarily sent to the Gulf War 1990-1991 and to the Balkans 1993-1998. In both, it was used strike and patrol capacities.
In the Gulf War, its first mission took a decided goofy turn. While attacking a barge, several jets fired off their complement of CRV-7 rockets and all missed. Several strafings with 30mm cannon also failed to sink the ship. In the subsequent bomb runs by four aircraft, two missed, one near hit, and one scored a deciding hit.
It turns out that the rocket software was calibrated to the training rockets, which for some reason were different from actual rockets with warheads. The CRV-7s were withdrawn from service and a new software version eventually implemented.
The Jaguars did much better in the Balkan missions.
The booklet contains six black and white photos, 47 color photos, 22 color camouflage illustrations, and 18 color nose art illustrations. I would like a larger font, but this is an old complaint of mine for the Osprey air-related booklets.
Enjoyed it.
— Reviewed by Russ Lockwood
