Blackburn Buccaneer

I once had the great privilege of living (and working) at the Royal Air Force’s premier navigation school. Inevitably, one met members of the instructing staff who had been in contact with the Blackburn Buccaneer. To say that this aircraft was held in affection would be a massive understatement. The rugged strength of this nuclear-capable attack bomber was the stuff of legend, a typical quote being – ‘Built like a brick outhouse? No, I think they just carved it out of the solid metal!’ Yet the Royal Air Force acquired this bomber, with its fighter-like agility, almost by accident.

The history and operation of the Blackburn (later British Aerospace) Buccaneer strike aircraft is traced in this book from initial design development through to retirement from the Royal Air Force and South African Air Force service. The Buccanneer began life as a carrier-borne nuclear-armed strike aircraft but when the Royal Navy lost its large aircraft carriers it was transferred to the RAF. Final operations of this popular two-seater took place during the Gulf War. The book details the Buccaneer Fleet Air Arm career including the story of the "Torrey Canyon" super tanker incident, and also gives technical description and data including construction, weaponry and performance figures.