Duxford seeks new home for Jaguar

The Imperial War Museum (IWM) has announced that it plans to remove Jaguar GR.1B XX108 from its collection

The museum is accepting applications from other museums to take on the jet.

The aircraft, built as the first production GR.1, undertook its maiden flight on October 12, 1972, initially lacking the type’s distinctive chisel nose which housed the laser rangefinder. It was later used as a demonstrator for Jaguar International, making appearances at the 1974 Farnborough Airshow and 1979 Paris Air Show, before returning to trials use.

In 1996, XX108 was upgraded to GR.1B standard and later used for trials of the Rolls-Royce/Turbomeca Adour Mk.106 powerplant in 2000 before being retired to RAF St Athan in 2002. It was transported to IWM Duxford in October 2003 and is currently suspended from the ceiling of the AirSpace hangar. The Museums Association listing states that the aircraft “will be available to receive from November 2023”.

Jaguar GR.1B XX108 on show within Duxford’s AirSpace hangar
Jaguar GR.1B XX108 on show within Duxford’s AirSpace hangar FLICKR COMMONS-ALAN WILSON