Blackburn Buccaneer, Kemble 2007 ©Dave Key
ROLE
Maritime Strike Aircraft.
FIRST FLIGHT
30 April 1958.
The Blackburn Buccaneer was a carrier capable attack aircraft manufactured by the Blackburn Aircraft Limited.
The prototype of the Buccaneer was developed during the mid-1950's from the design of Barry Laight which first flew on the 30th April 1958.
The Buccaneer is a mid-wing tandem seat twin engine aircraft. The first production model the S.1, was powered by two DH Gyron Jr turbojets each producing 7,100 lbf of thrust, which proved underpowered when fully armed and fuelled.
A temporary solution to enable the S.1 to take-off fully armed was to take-off with a minimum fuel load and then refuel in mid-air.
To overcome the power deficit the Buccaneer was fitted with twin Rolls Royce Spey turbofans with the nacelles being increased in size to accommodate them. This modification was designated the Buccaneer S.2 and it replaced the S.1 by late 1966.
PRODUCTION
The Blackburn Buccaneer was produced from 1959, with 211 built.
ENGINES
2 x Rolls Royce Spey Mk 101, producing 22,200 lbf.
ARMAMENT
16,000 lb (7,260 kg) Bomb/Rocket/Missile load.
The Buccaneer entered service with the Fleet Air Arm in 1962, replacing the Supermarine Scimitar.
In October 1969, the first RAF unit to receive the Buccaneer was 12 Squadron based at RAF Honington as a Maritime Strike Aircraft.
The Buccaneer was initially seen as an interim aircraft by the RAF whilst they were waiting for the new Panavia Tornado. However, due to delays the Buccaneer remained in service for over twenty years.
The aircraft, designated S.2B, had RAF specification communications and avionics and was capable of carrying an additional fuel tank in the bomb bay.
| Crew - 2 in tandem |
| Length - 63ft 5in (19.33m) |
| Wingspan - 44ft 0in (13.41m) |
| Height - 16ft 3in (4.95m) |
| Empty Weight - 30,000lb (13,608kg) |
| Max. Weight - 62,000lb (28,123kg) |
| Max. Speed - 670 mph (1,070 km/h) |
| Range - 2,300 miles (3,700 km) |
