The forthcoming Czech Master Resin 1/72 kits of the Buccaneer S.1 and S.2, plus the re-release of the Airfix 1/48 kit bring this formidable aircraft to the fore. Here’s a quick history and some pictures of “The Brick.”

The Blackburn Buccaneer was designed as a low-level carrier-based maritime strike aircraft in the mid-1950s. It served with distinction with the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm (FAA) and later with the Royal Air Force (RAF) in whose hands it saw action during the 1990 Gulf War.
The first prototype took to the air on 30 April 1958, with carrier trials beginning in early 1960. The first Buccaneers S.1, distinguished by its small circular air intakes, were delivered to the Royal Navy in August 1961 and 801 Squadron became the first operational Buccaneer unit in July 1962. Two operational squadrons and a training unit were equipped with the Buccaneer S.1.
The service of the Buccaneer S.1 came to a sudden end in December 1970. Following a crash, inspections showed that the Bucs’ Gyron Junior engines were in very poor condition, and all surviving S.1s were grounded immediately.
A surviving S.1, XK532, can be found at the new Highland Aviation Museum, located on the former RAF Dalcross near Inverness in Scotland. IPMS/UK member David Wallace took the following photos recently. He says “The museum only opened two weeks ago and is being run by a young couple who have a keen interest in aviation. They are just awaiting the delivery of a Hunter and Tornado and need as much help as possible to make the museum succeed.”

Here’s a link to the Aeroflight webpage on the museum. Looks like a good one to visit on your travels to Scotland, and don’t forget to take a “wee dram” while you are at it!

http://www.aeroflight.co.uk/mus/uk/f-k/highland.htm

My thanks to David Wallace for the photos and Paddy McGannon for forwarding them to me!

Photos

01 Starboard Forward Quarter View
02 Port Forward Quarter View
03 Pilot’s Starboard Console
04 Pilot’s Seat, Top
05 Pilot’s Seat, Pan
06 Pilot’s Instrument Panel and Stick
07 Port Exhaust
08 Port Side View Looking Aft
09 Port Intake
10 Open Airbrake