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On September 1972, the Fuerza Aérea Ecuatoriana
ordered a squadron of Jaguar aircraft by it's
Commander in chief, first confirmation of wich came
on August 28 1974 when BAC announced receipt of two
export contracts from undisclosed countries ( Ecuador and Oman ). Assigned serials apparently based on the aircrafts secuence in
Anglo-French production, these 10 single-seat
aircraft and two trainers emerged as: 283 and 302
(two) Jaguar International EB (EX G-27-266 and -
2676); 289, 305, 309, 318, 327, 329, 339, 340, 348
AND 349 (!0) Jaguar International ES (EX G-27-268 TO
277).
Two seater 283 was the first production Jaguar International 168th of the Warton line (in August 1976) and 279th in overall production, built
between RAF aircraft XZ363 and XZ364. Six FAE pilots received Jaguar conversion training with the RAF's N0.226 OCU at Loosiemouth before the first two aircraft, 283 and 2890 were delivered on January fourth 1977.
The squadron is a component of grupo 2111, the
flying group of ala de combate 21 at base aérea
Taura, near Guayaquil, nicknamed "AGUILAS".
The squadron had prevously flown Gloster Meteor
FR.MK9S from Taura, but it changed it's mame to
Jaguares in 1981 for obvious reasons.
Pilots are required to attend Lossiemouth every
18 months to receive an emergency procedures
check out, as the FAE has no Jaguar simulator.
FAE aircraft are similar to those of the RAF,
with ARI 18223 RWR and nose LRMTS as well as dark
green and dark sea gray camouflage with light
aircraft grey undersides.MATRA 550 MAGIC AAMS can be
carried, in addition to conventional attack ordnance.
By mid 1991, only seven Jaguars, including one
trainer remained. To balance attrition, three
GR.MK1S were purchased from the RAF in august
1991 (XX121, XX722 and XX744) and refurbished by
FAE at warton, these possibly to be joined by a
further batch of three.
Throwing a fast fighter bomber through mountain
at night, is what FAE Jaguars pilots do on
regular basis with out batting an eye. They know
that the Jaguar is a tried and tested weapon that
won't let them down. The Jaguars are capable to
deliver it's own laser guided weapons.
According to some reliable sources the number of Jaguars flying in 2000 were 9 aircrafts, unfortunately this magnificent jet fighter was surprisely retired in the beginning of 2004 where a number of 6 aircrafts are now stored and preserved, only one Jaguar remains operational it was seen flying last year (August 28 2005) for Taura's 50th anniversary.
single - seat attack bomber.
POWERPLANT:
two 8,000lb trhust Rolls
Roice turbumeca adour MK104
afterburning turbofans.
MAXIMUM SPEED:
1,050 m.p.h.
(MACH 1.5) at high altitude.
COMBAT RADIUS:
530 mi. on internal fuel.
SERVICE CEILING:
45,986 ft.
WEIGHTS:
empty 15,400 lb.;max takeoff
33,972 lb.
WEAPONS:
two 30 mm aden cannon plus
provision for two AIM-9L
sidewinder air to air
missiles on overwing pylons
plus up to 9,975lbs of
underwing stores on five
pylons.
DIMENSIONS:
SPAN 28 ft.
Length 57 ft.
Height 16 ft.
Wing Area 260sq.ft.
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