Twelve Buccaneers were deployed to Muharraq during the Gulf War, initially to provide laser designating support for Tornado GR.Is. Later, when the Tornados had been equipped with TIALD, Buccaneers carried a Paveway bomb and undertook self-designating attacks. This aircraft carries a Pave Spike pod and Sidewinder on the port wing, and an AN/ALQ-101(V) jamming pod under the starboard wing.
A pair of 12 Sqn Buccaneers investigate a SAM Kotlin class destroyer during maritime Exercise Lime Jug in the Mediterranean in November 1970. Strict rules dictated that 'aircraft must not approach closer than 400 yards or make aggressive manoeuvres'.
As there were no dual-control Buccaneers, pilot training was carried out on Hunter T.7/8s fitted with the Buccaneer instrument panel in the left-hand seat.
Seen in its element at low-level and high speed, Gulf War veteran XV352, 'Tamdhu' was photographed over the Tain Weapons Range, Scotland in March 1994.
Wg Cdr Tom Eeles photographed when he was the Officer Commanding 237 OCU at Lossiemouth in 1984 -87.
One of the 16 Buccaneers.50s delivered to the SAAF. This 24 Sqn aircraft is seen in an unusually 'clean' configuration, without underwing conformal fuel tanks or weapons.
One of the Buccaneer's great strengths was its ability to carry a heavy weapon load over great distances. This is just some of the weaponry that the Buccaneer could deliver. Clockwise from the front, practice bombs, an anti radar Martel, (note its rear fins and the main wings lying on the ground beside it), Sea Eagles, 1,000lb iron bomb, Paveway II LGB, 1,000lb bomb, Sidewinder and Sea Eagles. From port to starboard the aircraft is carrying a practice bomb dispenser, Pave Spike laser designator, practice bomb dispenser, and AN/ALQ-101(V) jamming pod. A notable omission is the WE177 nuclear weapon which, at the time the photo was taken, was still in service and an unclassified photo of it was not possible.
Steam envelopes an 809 NAS Buccaneer about to be launched from the waist catapult of HMS Ark Royal in October 1978. Note the up-elevator setting and nose-high attitude as the strop is tensioned.
For the final farewell in March 1994, seven aircraft received the markings of the squadrons which flew the Buccaneer. XX894 was painted in the markings of 809 NAS to represent the Royal Navy Buccaneer squadrons. The aircraft are stepped up in numerical order of squadrons, 12, XV, 16, 208, 216 and 237 OCU.
Thanks to Mike Beachyhead, two Buccaneers (XW987 and XW988) survive in airworthy condition at Thunder City, Cape Town. ZU-AVI/XW988 is seen here against the CapeTown backdrop.
Among the instruments of particular note in the pilot's cockpit are the strip airspeed/Mach indicator (above attitude indicator) and radar altimeter (top right). Also of interest are the strike sight (folded) and control column that slides back and forth rather than the usual floor mounted stick.
Blackburn (Hawker Siddeley) Buccaneer S.2B
