The Tiger aircraft for 439 in 1977 was aircraft 104838, probably the most photographed of all the Squadrons Tiger schemes. Unfortunatel the aircraft crashed 7 March 1978. It was replaced by aircraft 104862 and which reamined as the  Squadron's Tiger Bird  for the remainder of 1978, 1979 and 1980.

In 1977, 439 became the first NATO Squadron to win the coveted Silver Tiger Trophy  at the International Air Tattoo which was held in conjunction with the Tiger Meet hosted by RAF Greenham Common.