Oops!

The major role of the Jaguar in II(AC) Sqn service was to provide tactical reconnaissance to NATO.   In support of this job our aircraft used to wander all over the place giving support where needed and showing the flag to our various NATO allies.

The picture shows the result of one of those visits where XZ108 literally dropped into a Dutch Air Force base.  Doubtless the pilot - no, I'm not going to mention his name! - intended to lower the undercarriage before making his touch and go but unfortunately the contact of the Recce Pod on the runway provided only the "touch" and didn't allow the "go" !

As an Engineering acronym OOPS used to mean "Out of Phase Servicing".  I fancy our pilot wasn't making reference to any servicing when he said, "Oops!" on this occasion.

The report from the Board of Enquiry mentions that following this incident he had a little chat with the AOC who read him his fortune!

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