PICTURES: RAF Lossiemouth welcomes big cat-painted fighter jet Spotty, Jaguar XX119, to mark 110 years of 6 Squadron
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A UNIQUE fighter jet has been unveiled at RAF Lossiemouth to mark a 110-year anniversary.
Nicknamed Spotty, Jaguar XX119 has found its new home at the Moray base as the local 6 Squadron marked its 110th anniversary.
The 6 Squadron was the last squadron to fly Spotty before her retirement in 2007.
She was transferred to Lossiemouth from RAF Cosford, where she had been used in the training of Aircraft Technicians, in December and will now take pride of place in the Squadron’s hanger.
She will also make an appearance at on-station public events.
Formed on January 31, 1914, 6 Squadron proudly boasts the longest unbroken record of service of any air force squadron anywhere in the world, having remained continuously operational until 2007.
The unique big cat-painted plane was displayed alongside the Squadron’s MacRoberts Fighter, a Typhoon nicknamed Sir Roderic.
Between them, the Typhoon and Jaguar represent 47 years of 6 Squadron’s record-holding history.
The Squadron was disbanded with the retirement of the Jaguar in 2007 but was reformed at RAF Leuchars in 2010 to fly the Typhoon. It has been resident at Lossiemouth since 2014.
Wing Commander Gary Montgomery, 6 Squadron commanding officer, said: “Today is a chance to look back over 6 Squadron’s significant operational heritage which spans over 50 years of deployed operations and significant milestones.
“From the First World War, which saw us earn the first air combat Victoria Cross, through to the Second World War where we gained our nickname of the Flying Can Openers, and beyond, there is much for our personnel to reflect on.
“We spent 33 years operating the Jaguar and as the last squadron to operate XX119, she holds a special place in our hearts. It is an honour to be able to unveil her as we mark our 110th anniversary.”
Based overseas for 50 years, the Squadron earned the motif of "The Flying Can Openers" for their prowess destroying Axis armour in the North African desert during the Second World War.
Their time in Jordan saw them become the only RAF squadron to have two royal standards, with the second presented by Jordan’s King Abdullah I in 1950.
