Air Pictorial 1988-01
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M.English - Maritime strike in Buccaneer
A Buccaneer turns on to the target. The weather was atrocious
Two of No. 12 Squadron's Buccaneers formate with the "Bear".
Two of No. 12 Squadron's Buccaneer S.2Bs (XW543 leading) taxi-ing at R.A.F. Lossiemouth during "Ocean Safari"; both carry bomb-dispensers
Buccaneer S.2B XT280 takes on fuel from Vickers VC10 K.3 ZA148 "G" of No. 101 Squadron
No. 12 Squadron Buccaneer S.2B XT280. The fin bullet fairing houses radar warning receivers
Buccaneer S.2A XT271 in which the author flew. Note No. 237 O.C.U. markings
Anti-radar Mar­tel on the starboard inner pylon of a No. 12 Squadron Buccaneer
Display version of the TV-guided Martel. Note optical nose
A TVAT (Television Air Training) pod on a Buccaneer. Operational TV Martels require a data-link pod to be carried on one of the pylons
Running-in to the target at 200 ft. and 560 knots in Buccaneer S.2A XT271. The navigator can just see the radar altimeter in the front cockpit and thus can monitor the pilot.
The Soviet Navy Tupolev Tu-142 "Bear-D" that appeared on the scene. Powered by huge 14,795-s.h.p. Kuznetsov NK-12MV turboprops, the "Bear" is still an impressive design in terms of speed and range.
Electronic warfare training during "Ocean Safari '87" was provided by the Canberra T.17s of No. 360 Squadron and the Dassault Falcon 20s of F.R.A.D.U., whose aircraft operated from Lossiemouth. Shown here is Canberra T.17 WJ981 "EN" in hemp camouflage