Gallery No 5 - Blackburn Buccaneer

The Blackburn Buccaneer was designed in the mid-1950s as a low-level carrier-based maritime strike aircraft. It proved to be far more long-lived than its designers ever intended, serving with distinction not only with the British Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm (FAA) but with the Royal Air Force (RAF) for decades, and as a finale demonstrating its usefulness in the Gulf War. This document provides a history and description of the Buccaneer.

The first RAF Buccaneer was delivered in early 1969, and the first operational RAF Buccaneer squadron, Number 12, was formed that year at well. This initial squadron operated out of the UK for maritime strike. Later RAF Buccaneer squadrons were intended for low-level tactical strike and operated mostly in Germany. Tactical strike aircraft were not fitted with refueling probes, as mid-air refueling was not deemed necessary in the Central European operating environment. They were initially given a paint scheme with dark gray and dark green patterned on top and a light gray belly, but this eventually became dark gray and dark green patterning overall.

Although the RAF had spent a decade snubbing the Buccaneer, once they got their hands on it, they appreciated just what an outstanding combat aircraft it really was. The RAF inherited 64 more Buccaneer S.2s from the FAA as the Royal Navy's carrier force was drawn down, with these aircraft given some minor tweaks to adapt them to RAF service, and even bought 19 more new-build Buccaneers. The last Buccaneer built was delivered in October 1977. British Buccaneer strength was at its highest point in 1978, when five RAF and FAA operational squadrons flew the type.

12 Squadron

16 Squadron

208 Squadron