Buccaneer ADV

[Scooterman]

like! 

[buzzbomb]

Me likey too..



Anything with a Bucc in it has to be orright

[Hobbes]

Liking it......what will it be armed with...?? Will it carry a gun....?

I'm building this as a long-range interceptor more than a dogfighter. Hadn't considered adding a gun, but I think the Bucc would struggle with the planned loadout (to be revealed later) even without adding a gun.

[Thorvic]

Looking good Harro and i suspect i may have an clue as to one of the missiles to be carried 

[Dizzyfugu]

The Javelin nose fits a Canberra very well ----



You could shape the nose a bit like it Harro.

A VTOL Canberra!? 

[kitnut617]

A VTOL Canberra!? 

STOVL Canberra to be exact Df.   See the thread here -- http://www.whatifmodelers.com/index.php/topic,25520.0/highlight,stovl+canberra.html

[NARSES2]

Looking good Harro 

[Captain Canada]

Nice ! Do away with those pesky Phantoms or what ?

[Mossie]

Glad to see this ressurected.   Did you chop the nose back in the end?  It looks a little shorter from the pics, either way it's looking good.

[Hobbes]

Thanks guys.


Mossie: the nose is still the original size. I filled the seam between the resin nose and the original bulkhead, so the panel line you see is the one that was moulded into the resin.

[Mossie]

See it now.

[tc2324]

Captain Slow here,

Is that you James May..? 

Never thought I`d see the day the mighty Bucc went ADV. 

Looking forward to this one and nice job on the build so far.   

[Hobbes]

I've added the bullet fairings on the wing leading edges, plus some Glosscote to prepare for decals:

[Hobbes]

In the early 1960s, it was becoming clear to the Royal Navy that the Sea Vixen and its associated weapons (infrared-guided missiles which were effective only when fired from behind the enemy) were no longer a match for Soviet long-range antiship missiles. The RN also noted that development of radar-guided missiles for the RAF was progressing nicely, and wanted in on that action.
So a requirement was drawn up for an aircraft that could intercept enemy aircraft before they came into missile firing range. The requirement called for an aircraft with long range, capable of carrying the very large Red Dean and the (also large) radar needed to guide it.
Among the companies responding to the requirement was Blackburn, which offered an evolution of their (by then well-liked by the RN) Buccaneer. The initial F.3 airframes would use the S.2 airframe with the new radar, limiting development time to get the new missiles operational as quickly as possible. A plan was also outlined to later develop a supersonic airframe, again in strike and fighter versions. With the generous payload of the Buccaneer, it was possible to carry not only two Red Deans, but a pair of shorter-range Blue Dolphin missiles as well.

The RN saw the appeal in having airframe commonality and granted the order to (by then) Hawker Siddeley. They produced several squadrons worth, which operated from HMS Victorious, Eagle, Ark Royal and Hermes.

The 1966 Defence Review put paid to the RN plans to acquire a supersonic Buccaneer. In exercises, the subsonic interceptors nevertheless won the respect of their American peers using the RN's signature pop-up attack, firing from long range at very low levels.

In 1978, 892 Squadron embarked for its last trip on Ark Royal carrying the distinctive Omega marking, indicating the final Buccaneer F.3 deployment and the last use of the Red Dean missiles.

[Weaver]

Nicely done sir - looks a treat!