Blackburn Buccaneer - Insane Low Level Bomber Americans couldn't shoot down - (Full Story)

[@Cerby1365]

Very well done, totally enjoyed your work and learned a lot about the Buccaneer, thank you.

[@AviationRepublic]

Great to hear! This was a really fun video to research and put together.

[@skysurferuk]

@@AviationRepublic Lovin' your commentary. 👍

[@hotstepper887]

@@AviationRepublic Rolling down the runway throttles open wide see the mighty Phantom sway from side to side airborne again without a blip It's just one more aborted trip but we're pressing on regardless for the wg cdrs AFC Went to early briefing climbed into the Kite opened up the throttles and roared into the night leaving the flare path far behind It's dark outside, but we don't mind cos we're pressing on regardless for the wg cdr's AFC Rolling down the runway throttle open wide see the mighty Falcon sway from side to side airborne again with just 9 G I wish I had a nav with me (!) but we're pressing on regardless for the wg cdr's AFC Rolling down the runway throttles open wide see the mighty Jaguar sway from side to side airborne again, but only just It's not much fun with F*** all thrust but we're pressing on regardless for the wg cdr's AFC Give me Buccaneers They're British through and through The Banana Jet The Best we've had yet We are the last of the few. Don't give me the Jaguar Unless you refer to the car The car is a ground hog The aircraft, a half frog Don't give me the Jaguar. Give me Buccaneers They're British through and through The Banana Jet The Best we've had yet We are the last of the few. Don't give me the Harrier jump jet You haven't convinced me yet Jets that fly backwards Are soon to be knackered Don't give me the Harrier jump jet Well… You know, not just yet... Give me Buccaneers... They're British through and through The Banana Jet The Best we've had yet We are the last of the few. Don't give me this computer crap It's no way to tackle a SAP It's OK for Dicks, Germans and Spicks But Gentleman, carry a map! Give me Buccaneers They're British through and through The Banana Jet The Best we've had yet We are the last of the few. Don't give me Air Traffic Control They live in a bloody great hole They scream, and they shout, then F**k you about Don't give me Air Traffic Control. Give me Buccaneers They're British through and through The Banana Jet The Best we've had yet We are the last of the few. Don't give me the F-104 It's only a ground loving whore It goes in a turn, flick, spin and burn Don't give me the F-104. Give me Buccaneers They're British through and through The Banana Jet The Best we've had yet WE ARE THE LAST OF THE FEW!

[@hotstepper887]

My dad flew the Buccaneer’s (an aircraft I've been in many times, from the age of about 11). Well things were a lot different back then, and us kids would often go to hound them on Sundays if they were quiet, and we'd often talk our way into a flight on whatever aircraft they were with LOL. The old Fairey Gannets were awesome to fly in, what an incredible view! The ugliest aircraft, with the most spectacular view. I've also flown in the Harrier GR 7, the GR 9, also the Sea Harrier, plus nearly every helicopter you could think of, including the old, world speed record holder, the Lynx. I've flown many Gliders, but the most amazing and impressive of them all, was indeed the Buccaneer. You just can't describe what it feels like to travel at an altitude of only 10-15 feet, at speeds of 450-550 mph. Seeing our own garden hedges as blurs, LOL, flying straight over them, skimming the branches (not allowed, but you know lol). That aircraft, the Buccaneer, I'll never forget, it scared the living life out of me.

[@stormgt2]

What fantastic memeories. Pricless

[@taffman1]

I remember reading a post about one of the Red Flag exercises, an USAF General was given the chance to be 'ballast' in a buccaneer when he got out of the plane he was shaking, and said 'we had to climb to get over a horse'.

[@AviationRepublic]

Brilliant, bloody horses always getting in the way of the flight path.

[@TheBluetoo99]

Brilliant comment.

[@ashleyobrien4937]

Wow !! that's some crazy shit !

[@mombaassa]

"...he was shaking...". What about the poor horse? LOL!

[@IM-lr6vz]

Love it - always known as the plane for pilots who hate heights.

[@JerryJ26]

True story. In 1979 I was a F-15 crew chief with the 8th TFS Black Sheep at Holloman AFB, NM. We attended our first Maple Flag at Cold Lake CAFB in Alberta, Canada. Other nations there were England, France and Germany to participate in the exercises. Day 1 had our Eagles defending an area to prevent the Buccaneer aggressors from attacking targets there. Kudos to the Buc pilots for not only destroying the targets but egressing the range undetected. And to add insult to injury, they tagged our F-15s the night before they were all to return to England by tagging the squadron decal with the 208 squadron logo.

[@SoundBoy808]

haha quality! Ninja planes, and then ninja pilots

[@AviationRepublic]

That's such a brilliant story, I am surprised that being Brits they did not "borrow" anything, all my ex-military mates had sticky fingers.

[@Hitperson]

@@AviationRepublic it's not "borrowing" it's "liberating" :D

[@wierdalien1]

​@@AviationRepublic sticky fingers is a way of life

[@abarratt8869]

Stealth tagging. You're lucky they didn't take an F-15 up for a night time joy ride! Tornado took over the low level flying trick, and made good use of Link16. Tornado was originally designed primarily as a low level attack / strike aircraft, had terrain following, etc, and was excellent at that. The intercept variants were always somewhat bastardised compromises as a result. There was a set of exercises with the USAF in the (late?) 1990 or early 2000s (I forget which) out on some desert range. The Tornados had a trick of flying two in a lazy high alt circle, looking like nice juicy targets (Tornado not exactly being the most agile or swift aircraft). USAF pilots wondered, "Where are the other two?". Never mind, they're not here, press home the attack. Except, the other two were down in the bottom of valleys, unseen, getting a nice radar take via Link16 from the other two high up, and were able to pop up at the ideal time and intercept the USAF jets with no warning. A neat trick, apparently it really irked the USAF and asked the RAF to please stop doing that! However, I always wondered about this kind of story, because I think that these sorts of trials are often not realistic; in a real war fighting scenario, the USAF would deploy an awful lot more kit; it's not in their nature to fight a real fight with one hand tied behind their backs simply because the other side doesn't have the same things to fight with. For example, today I guess they'd throw up a few drones and have visual and possibly radar coverage down into the valleys and really spoil the RAF's day. Things are also very different today. Now that A-2-A weaponry has such large stand-off ranges, there's no need to get anywhere near the enemy to press home an attack.

[@davidmcintyre8145]

I will always remember as a child of the 70's and 80's in the Highlands of Scotland waving down at the pilots of Buccaneers if we were even a small way up a hill when they passed

[@douglastodd1947]

I used to wave Down to or sometimes level with them @ the 7 Winds Cambusbarron . 1978/9

[@KMilton-iw2tk]

Same here, Lossie and Kinloss not far away from mine.

[@liamhemmings9039]

They "attacked" our car on holiday in Scotland. Buccaneers and Jaguars were a regular treat when we holidayed in Scotland.

[@davidmcintyre8145]

@@liamhemmings9039 It wasn't only the RAF though I can remember being on a fishing charter boat in the 1990s which was vey obviously used by an RN frigate for weapons target drills

[@mikeallan1559]

totallly, as a scout camping in the highlands I can remember being many feet ABOVE the buccaneers. The pilot waved at as us :-)

[@kiwi1187]

I always remember the Buccaneer operational usage guide 1. Accelerate to take off speed. 2. Raise landing gear. 3. Descend to operational altitude.

[@AviationRepublic]

That's the ticket.

[@wbertie2604]

Top trumps card: service ceiling: not applicable

[@john1703]

Service "hard deck": depends on whether the undercarriage is lowered.

[@hotstepper887]

Anyone remember this? Rolling down the runway throttles open wide see the mighty Phantom sway from side to side airborne again without a blip It's just one more aborted trip but we're pressing on regardless for the wg cdrs AFC Went to early briefing climbed into the Kite opened up the throttles and roared into the night leaving the flare path far behind It's dark outside, but we don't mind cos we're pressing on regardless for the wg cdr's AFC Rolling down the runway throttle open wide see the mighty Falcon sway from side to side airborne again with just 9 G I wish I had a nav with me (!) but we're pressing on regardless for the wg cdr's AFC Rolling down the runway throttles open wide see the mighty Jaguar sway from side to side airborne again, but only just It's not much fun with F*** all thrust but we're pressing on regardless for the wg cdr's AFC Give me Buccaneers They're British through and through The Banana Jet The Best we've had yet We are the last of the few. Don't give me the Jaguar Unless you refer to the car The car is a ground hog The aircraft, a half frog Don't give me the Jaguar. Give me Buccaneers They're British through and through The Banana Jet The Best we've had yet We are the last of the few. Don't give me the Harrier jump jet You haven't convinced me yet Jets that fly backwards Are soon to be knackered Don't give me the Harrier jump jet Well… You know, not just yet... Give me Buccaneers. They're British through and through The Banana Jet The Best we've had yet We are the last of the few. Don't give me this computer crap It's no way to tackle a SAP It's OK for Dicks, Germans and Spicks But Gentleman, carry a map! Give me Buccaneers They're British through and through The Banana Jet The Best we've had yet We are the last of the few. Don't give me Air Traffic Control They live in a bloody great hole They scream, and they shout, then F**k you about Don't give me Air Traffic Control. Give me Buccaneers They're British through and through The Banana Jet The Best we've had yet We are the last of the few. Don't give me the F-104 It's only a ground loving whore It goes in a turn, flick, spin and burn Don't give me the F-104. Give me Buccaneers They're British through and through The Banana Jet The Best we've had yet WE ARE THE LAST OF THE FEW!

[@kevinelsdon273]

count the sheeps tits.....

[@Mark_Bickerton]

I recall an American talking about an exchange he had been on. He asked the RAF pilots about how they were so certain of their altitude and got the answer (Something like) at 500 feet, cows have legs... at 200 feet... sheep have legs! That is such a British answer!

[@AviationRepublic]

Haha, yeah, I read that someplace, I wish I could recall where, such a typical British response, very laconic - 10 feet, squirrels on the windshield. - Joe

[@BigAuf_]

It's one of Mover's interview videos (CW Lemoine on YT), titled something like "Tomcat pilot talks about exchange tour flying Tornado F3s" 👍

[@JimDrummond-f3z]

The sad thing is that the Harrier was prematurely taken out of active service.

[@warringtonminge4167]

@@Mark_Bickerton Ah yes, the occasional aberration of Buccaneers on high altitude sorties.

[@Yandarval]

@@AviationRepublic Bucc operational altitude...Rabbits have teeth.

[@terryjacob8169]

I remember fishing from the shore on Chesil Beach, Dorset, as a sixteen year-old in the summer of 1966, and being absolutely astonished by a Fleet Air Arm Buccaneer making a low-level pass at about 50 foot height and 200 yards off-shore. An awesome spectcle I'll always remember.

[@robinwalton-gm5ms]

The cod fishing never recovered after that!!!

[@Spacemanlacey1]

I remember travelling in the school bus back from Abbotsbury to Lyme Regis on the coast road as we all watched a pair of Buc's fly below us kicking up pebbles from Chesil beach (that's what it looked like anyway). One of the lads with us claimed there was a Buc pilot from were he lived in Scotland (we were military kid's in a boarding school), that used to regularly fly under the telegraph pole wires near him. I have no idea if this is even possible, but from the stories I now have to believe 🤷🏼‍♂️👍😂😂😂

[@amadablam8229]

I have found memories of getting buzzed by A10’s while deer hunting in the Adirondack mountains. I think they flew out of the now closed Plattsburgh AFB. You would hear a rumbling as they approached and zoomed overhead, hugging the mountain terrain.

[@terryjacob8169]

@@amadablam8229 In addition to my experience with a Buccaneer flown low and fast, like you I've had a USAF A-10 Thunderbolt get close up and personal. In 1984 I was driving a 10-ton truck across the flatlands in Lincolnshire, here in England, when an A-10 pilot decided to buzz me. Flying at me head-on, at zero feet, I didn't even see him coming until he was right on top of me. As the plane passed over my truck, the whole thing rocked from side to side on it's wheels. Having passed over me, the A-10 pilot did a 180 degree turn. Then flying parallel to me, he did a very low altitude 'victory roll' and gave me a friendly wave from the cockpit. If I'd been an actual enemy vehicle and he'd fired his GE Gatling gun during that head-on pass I'd never have known what hit me.

[@hamishosborn8384]

Operational ceiling. We would regularly get down to 10ft

[@MarkloopRAF]

2 of the Buccaneers that went to the Gulf were in major servicing at RAF Abingdon in various states of strip down. We got the signal on Wednesday evening that they were required. A major servicing normally takes 90 days. Both aircraft flew out of Abingdon to Lossiemouth on the following Monday, painted desert pink, under 5 days after getting the order.

[@robbrownfield7677]

Ahhh, the “quick service”. I bet you did not refill the windscreen washers or rotate the tyres to save time 😉

[@MarkloopRAF]

@@robbrownfield7677 Let's just say I'm glad Health and Safety was given a week off 🙂

[@petersmith7126]

I don't suppose the crew chief was a relative of Scotty from Star Trek .....

[@neiloflongbeck5705]

If the tyres rotate when moved, they're fine.

[@hotstepper887]

@@neiloflongbeck5705 We lived in Elgin, while my dad was flying at Lossiemouth, both the Bucc and the Harriers. Good times.

[@oastie3]

As a young father, I once sat with my family at a picnic table in the mountains above Betws-y-Coed, in Wales, watching a Buccaneer fly by below us. Memorable event.

[@AviationRepublic]

Wow, I can't even imagine the thrill of looking down seeing the buck whizz by, great memories no doubt.

[@davange77]

Spent many years working on the Buccaneer whilst on 208 sqn as a weapons engineer

[@n1k1george]

In 1978, I was working atop a rail tank car at the US Army fuel depot in Giessen, Germany. Next to us was the munitions depot with a radar guided missle defense system to protect it. It was a clear summer day and I happened to see a fast moving dot darting behind the several hills that surrounded the area. I lost sight of it and carried on with my duties - that is, until the plane suddenly popped up behind two low hills and headed straight - I mean STRAIGHT at me getting larger and larger - those two giant intakes looking menacing as hell! I grabbed onto the handle on top of the tank car and braced for the enormous blast of shock wave and ear splitting roar that nearly blew me off the tanker. That RAF Bucaneer probably cleared me by 10 or 15 feet; what a moment of sheer terror and exhilaration! Anyway, that Bucaneer made a spectacular mock bombing run on the Munitions depot catching them totally by suprise. As the jet dissappeared off behind the hills, the air-raid siren finally began to wail - another beautifully executed run! Hats off to the lads in that RAF Bucanner - what a memory from my youth!

[@liamhemmings9039]

When I was a kid, me and my parents were on holiday in Scotland. Out for a drive one day, two Buccaneers came at our car at really low level. As they got close they waggled their wings. We thought it was a kind of wave at us. I later learned the waggle meant we were being "bombed".

[@JimDrummond-f3z]

I was a lad when dad took the family to an airshow. Lodged in my memory is being so close to a static Buchaneer I was mesmerised. Wow

[@michaelmacdonell4834]

I made an Airfix model of one of these....and fell in love. A friend introduced me to a Buccaneer pilot in the pub. He was so interesting we had a lock-in!

[@AviationRepublic]

I would have never left the pub. All my pocket money was donated to Airfix.

[@Richard-og7mv]

Back in the 1970s the BBC had an early evening news programme called "Nationwide". On one show they proudly ran a short film of an exercise which showed RAF Buccaneers attacking U.S. defensive positions. We saw the actual screens the Americans were using to try and lock on to the buccaneer jets. They were flying so low and fast they couldn't lock on at all. The Americans were shouting in amazement. One saying he was going outside to take a look. The "Nationwide" presenters had smiles on their faces and were dead chuffed. I must say that I was dead chuffed too.

[@AviationRepublic]

Wow, not heard that show being mentioned in years, great show. I wonder if the Beeb have that programme in their archives.

[@davidbisping5000]

I remember watching Nationwide that night and it still sticks in my mind, think people have looked for the clip with unfortunately no luck..

[@timosborne547]

I remember watching that!

[@riculfriculfson7243]

I remember that very episode. Lives, rent free, in my memory.

[@johngardiner5206]

Many people have been hunting for this footage for years! It was the "YEE HAW!" as they flew directly over the defense bunker that I remember! 😊

[@andyb9262]

I was training as an ATC at Kirkwall on Orkney around 1991. The airport fire crew were at the end of the runway looking for a lost phone or pager when a buccaneer, which turned out to be still in desert storm colours, called up requesting a low pass. Permission was given and the reply was " better tell them to put their earplugs in".

[@noodlyappendage6729]

Lol😂

[@rbs7919]

I was a FAA armourer and had to do a flight in a Buc to do some tests. My briefing from the pilot was 'If I say eject, don't say 'what', or you'll be talking to yourself'. And off we go.

[@AviationRepublic]

That made me laugh,. I will see if that works with the missus :-) Joe

[@mrechelon7051]

Yes, I heard same with tornado pilots, from memory....it is funny, with a serious message...

[@jamesross3902]

When I flew in a Hawk the pilot said if you hear eject eject the second one is an echo😂

[@chrispearson3333]

That's the serious message in classic RAF humour. My dad was RAF and I worked with some great ex RAF guys, I always loved that; what I called "RAF Humour". The Shackleton bomber/later AWAS. They dubbed it 33000 rivets flying in close formation.🤣🤣🤣

[@rbs7919]

@@chrispearson3333 RAF Humour?? You do understand what FAA stands for?

[@solarwizzo8667]

Thank you for this video! Having grown up in Lower Saxony, Germany I often have seen Buccaneers screaming over my hometown during NATO exercises in the 80´s. When I became a TORNADO WSO myself in the early 90´s with the German Air Force, I was jealous about the capabilities of the Buccaneers. Why didnt´t we have LGB like the BUCC? Surely we carried on with the low level flying at Goose Bay, Canada and Nellis during RED FLAG! Launched many HARMs into Serbia during Allied Force. I am retired now, but GAF TORNADOs still fly into their sunset. To me it is always sad to see, that combat aircraft types are getting retired at their peak of combat effectiveness. BUCC, TORNADO, TOMCAT are best examples… Again, thanks for the in depth dive! I subscribe and will follow your channel.

[@AviationRepublic]

You must have some amazing stories, at the moment I am hooked on a YT channel called "Aircrew Interview", check it out, the stories are what make the planes. I hope one day to be able to interview the likes of yourself and document your experiences. One day.....

[@125brat]

Likewise, I was very sad when the UK Tornado IDS was retired from service far too soon. I spent 9 years of front-line working on them and miss seeing them tearing around the sky in East Anglia. I've occasionally seen the odd Luftwaffe ones over here on exercise and can still recognise the unique sound before I see it😁

[@tonyhaynes9080]

Unfortunately the German civilian population and politicians didn't like low level flying due to it's inherent dangers. I was with the leaping heaps (harriers) at Gutersloh in the late seventies, and was always so proud of the jockeys flying out of and into the fields on deployment.

[@godfreypatrick9792]

1979, SA Loot, on top of a hill with some troopies, one passed over my head from behind so close I felt the jet wash, pitched up..wing waved... Was awesome, never forgot it. Much much later I was able to fly a Strikemaster from Thunder City where a few of these were based in the company of Hunters and Lightenings. Seriously impressive machines. Another time, another life, great video

[@johnbaetke4556]

Fantastic account of a wonderful aircraft flown by the best pilots.We owe a debt of gratitude to these skilled, brave airmen

[@morriganravenchild6613]

I was once on a Dutch destroyer on an exercise and we were 'attacked' by these . When they finished they did a flypast and I looked down on the pilot and navigator as each of the aircraft bade their farewell! Crazy!

[@AviationRepublic]

Brilliant, they actually waved?, those cheeky chaps. :-) Joe

[@morriganravenchild6613]

@@AviationRepublic Yes!

[@jamesbriers696]

Driving back to Grange over Sands from the Lake District, the road goes over a saddle between two high fells. I'm at the top of the rise when two of them came up from behind and frightened the crap out of me. A definitive Whiskey Tango Foxtrot moment. I'm wildly looking around in my mirrors for what was causing the huge noise and then I saw them streaking off down the valley towards Morecambe Bay. Needless to say they were diving towards sea level. Man they were low.

[@rudolphguarnacci197]

Change underwear moment.

[@AviationRepublic]

I imagine the pilots took great pleasure in providing impromptu airshows like that. They are responsible for so many great memories.

[@carrickrichards2457]

Heard alot from RAF and USAF pilots and navigators about the Buccaneer, no one had a bad word to say. Most were specifically in awe of its low level stability at speed.

[@hotstepper887]

Rolling down the runway throttles open wide see the mighty Phantom sway from side to side airborne again without a blip It's just one more aborted trip but we're pressing on regardless for the wg cdrs AFC Went to early briefing climbed into the Kite opened up the throttles and roared into the night leaving the flare path far behind It's dark outside, but we don't mind cos we're pressing on regardless for the wg cdr's AFC Rolling down the runway throttle open wide see the mighty Falcon sway from side to side airborne again with just 9 G I wish I had a nav with me (!) but we're pressing on regardless for the wg cdr's AFC Rolling down the runway throttles open wide see the mighty Jaguar sway from side to side airborne again, but only just It's not much fun with F*** all thrust but we're pressing on regardless for the wg cdr's AFC Give me Buccaneers They're British through and through The Banana Jet The Best we've had yet We are the last of the few. Don't give me the Jaguar Unless you refer to the car The car is a ground hog The aircraft, a half frog Don't give me the Jaguar. Give me Buccaneers They're British through and through The Banana Jet The Best we've had yet We are the last of the few. Don't give me the Harrier jump jet You haven't convinced me yet Jets that fly backwards Are soon to be knackered Don't give me the Harrier jump jet Well… You know, not just yet... Give me Buccaneers... They're British through and through The Banana Jet The Best we've had yet We are the last of the few. Don't give me this computer crap It's no way to tackle a SAP It's OK for Dicks, Germans and Spicks But Gentleman, carry a map! Give me Buccaneers They're British through and through The Banana Jet The Best we've had yet We are the last of the few. Don't give me Air Traffic Control They live in a bloody great hole They scream, and they shout, then F**k you about Don't give me Air Traffic Control. Give me Buccaneers They're British through and through The Banana Jet The Best we've had yet We are the last of the few. Don't give me the F-104 It's only a ground loving whore It goes in a turn, flick, spin and burn Don't give me the F-104. Give me Buccaneers They're British through and through The Banana Jet The Best we've had yet WE ARE THE LAST OF THE FEW!

[@AviationRepublic]

One day I would love to make a video of all the Red Flag stories, one day....:-) Joe

[@coastie1961]

​@@hotstepper887sung to Lillie Marlene?

[@hotstepper887]

@@coastie1961 Could be, but there are many that could have been the tune, LOL.

[@tonyhaynes9080]

I used to be based at Holbeach Range, and one day we had a flight of four Buccaneers requesting a first run attack to get rid of the weapons they were carrying, before landing in the UK. The US range safety officer, a pilot from the 48TH TFW at Lakenheath (F111 driver) was in total awe of the planes and the aircrew as they totally destroyed the number three target.

[@stevelewis7263]

I've flown the Buccaneer for about 60hrs, and I found it an outstanding low level strike aircraft, and a very docile aircraft to fly

[@AviationRepublic]

As in you flew the real thing, that is just amazing, could I be any more envious, and there is me pottering around in a 152 thinking I am Maverick.

[@hotstepper887]

@@AviationRepublic Anyone remember this? Rolling down the runway throttles open wide see the mighty Phantom sway from side to side airborne again without a blip It's just one more aborted trip but we're pressing on regardless for the wg cdrs AFC Went to early briefing climbed into the Kite opened up the throttles and roared into the night leaving the flare path far behind It's dark outside, but we don't mind cos we're pressing on regardless for the wg cdr's AFC Rolling down the runway throttle open wide see the mighty Falcon sway from side to side airborne again with just 9 G I wish I had a nav with me (!) but we're pressing on regardless for the wg cdr's AFC Rolling down the runway throttles open wide see the mighty Jaguar sway from side to side airborne again, but only just It's not much fun with F*** all thrust but we're pressing on regardless for the wg cdr's AFC Give me Buccaneers They're British through and through The Banana Jet The Best we've had yet We are the last of the few. Don't give me the Jaguar Unless you refer to the car The car is a ground hog The aircraft, a half frog Don't give me the Jaguar. Give me Buccaneers They're British through and through The Banana Jet The Best we've had yet We are the last of the few. Don't give me the Harrier jump jet You haven't convinced me yet Jets that fly backwards Are soon to be knackered Don't give me the Harrier jump jet Well… You know, not just yet... Give me Buccaneers. They're British through and through The Banana Jet The Best we've had yet We are the last of the few. Don't give me this computer crap It's no way to tackle a SAP It's OK for Dicks, Germans and Spicks But Gentleman, carry a map! Give me Buccaneers They're British through and through The Banana Jet The Best we've had yet We are the last of the few. Don't give me Air Traffic Control They live in a bloody great hole They scream, and they shout, then F**k you about Don't give me Air Traffic Control. Give me Buccaneers They're British through and through The Banana Jet The Best we've had yet We are the last of the few. Don't give me the F-104 It's only a ground loving whore It goes in a turn, flick, spin and burn Don't give me the F-104. Give me Buccaneers They're British through and through The Banana Jet The Best we've had yet WE ARE THE LAST OF THE FEW!

[@stevelewis7263]

Did my hours on an " Inter Services Personnel Exchange" Programme in the mid 1980's, never technically the "Pilot in Command" but totally enjoyed the ground hugging, contour chasing, high speed capabilities of the Buccaneer, definitely some "Brown Trouser" moments

[@nigelchilcott6210]

@@stevelewis7263k I’m

[@mauvegrail]

I was working on a bombing range - China Rock(on the southeast coast of Malaya) - in 1963 when we had some Navy Buccaneers use the range with dummy bombs. the pilots apparently knew the location of the quadrant huts and decided to do a low pass over the northern hut. I was swimming in the sea at the time of the low pass and the two aircraft flew so low - and directly overhead of me that the suction of their passing lifted me out of the water.Your remark about the dust trails in Nevada reminded me of that. I'll never forget it.

[@AviationRepublic]

I have no idea why your comment made me laugh, but I could almost picture some poor soul being suddenly pulled out of the water sans trunks. :-) Joe

[@mauvegrail]

@@AviationRepublic Had they flown any lower, I would have been happy to loose my trunks because of all the brown that would have been deposited in them.

[@brittrucker7218]

As a kid i was lucky enough to stand at the end of the runway at RAF Saarbrucken in Germany as 3 Buccaneers took off as the sun was going down. Fantastic aircraft.

[@voornaam3191]

@@brittrucker7218 Many American pilots lived in Germany for some years. The Brittish too, I guess. I remember 1985 there were British military in Germany, I served there, being Dutch. This is BFBS, the radio division of the SSBC. We listened to British radio.

[@brittrucker7218]

@@voornaam3191 i think a lot of the British bases closed early 2000. Saarbrucken closed after reunification. I used to listen to BFBS when passing through Germany when i was working

[@TheCaptScarlett]

Great history. I think you'll need to explain why a seemingly Lancashire name is based in Yorkshire, especially as there's an aircraft manufacturing plant outside Blackburn, Lancashire.

[@jonnybottle]

@@TheCaptScarlett There are places called Brough all over England. And dark streams, too.

[@derekhutton9855]

I was an aircraft inspector at HOSM 1966-1968 ( then we emigrated). This documentary is far and away the best seen thus far. Loved the pictures of the old workplace. Great coverage!! Anybody out there still with us that remember that strange test facility?

[@voornaam3191]

@@derekhutton9855 Yes, I flew an UFO back then. Your AVGAS tasted funny. Sorry, bad joke. The DIESEL tasted strange...

[@AviationRepublic]

Wow, that's a hell of a compliment, made my day, more to come, I am so pleased so many people enjoy the longer format.

[@mikewilson4847]

I left H.O.S.M Flight Test dept in 1960, although they begged me to stay. Four years test flying in the Victors was enough for me, & my father was relieved. Great times & I'm glad I survived to tell the tale - several others were not so fortunate - sadly.

[@trevorcmartin1762]

Saw the Buc at an Airshow and it did a high speed turn so low we got hit by the shock wave. Brilliant!

[@AviationRepublic]

If only there were some airworthy Buccs in the UK, I wonder if Elon would be interested in a little idea..... :-)

[@johnruddick686]

I have to say the research you have done for this is extensive and detailed. A brilliant video about a unique and fascinating aircraft. Thank you for your hard work.

[@p38arover22]

Thank you. I enjoyed that and it’s good to hear a human voice with the occasional stumble rather than the all too often robot narration.

[@chrisvalford]

Nice post, it’s helped to put some of my fathers service with the Fleet Air Arm into perspective.
We lived in Gudge Heath Lane, Fareham just a few houses up from the Buccaneer pub, which had sign with a pirate on one side and the aircraft on the other. Dad was just leaving the Fleet Air Arm as a “Sparky” and was encouraging me to go into defence electronics. So at 14 I went to the Technical College next my school for CSE Electronics lessons. Being tutored by other ex-service guys we took a look at the Buccaneer airframe they had next to our classroom in the carpark. Dad always took me to the RNAS HMS Daedalus air show and pointed out some of the aircraft he worked on including the Buccaneer, Swordfish, Gannet, and Wasp Helicopters. Before Daedalus I know he served on HMS Ashanti servicing the Westland Wasps in the Middle East and Africa. Prior to that he was stationed in RNAS Lossiemouth for training I presume. Fascinating to see the difference between his technology of valves and early transistors and mine of early integrated circuits and miniaturisation. Unfortunately the UK defence industry was doomed from the mid 1970’s so many of the companies and jobs where I grew up have disappeared into history.

[@AviationRepublic]

That must have been one interesting upbringing to be surrounded by some many service and ex-service guys, those where the golden years of British Naval and Air power, such a shame.

[@mickymondo7463]

My late stepdad served on HMS Victorious when the Bucaneers were flying from her, I remember him bringing home loads of photos showing them landing and taking off, and hitting the nets when the arrestor failed. Thrilling stories to listen to when I was a youngster

[@AviationRepublic]

I hope you still have those photos, they must be amazing along with the stories, the best memories.

[@Richard500]

@mickymondo7463 See my post - It is Victorious related!

[@markmaher4548]

Your old man may of known my old man, he was in Victorious from '64 to '66.

[@mickymondo7463]

@@markmaher4548 Sadly I can no longer ask him, I will have to check with my mum as to when he served aboard Victorious

[@martincox4520]

I was told by a buccaneer pilot that when flying at 10feet that you could not push the stick forward as the ground effect kept the aircraft up! It must have taken some guts to try!

[@AviationRepublic]

I'd like to know which pilot decided to find that out. That's some insane skill.

[@kevinjames3714]

Buccaneers in Gibraltar 1992, I was on a small sailing boat moored near the end of the runway. They would take off and roll out beside us waving well below mast height

[@AviationRepublic]

I would have loved to have been there. The wave is very British.

[@TheShanampan]

Back in 1970, I was at a boarding school in Kent, miles from anywhere, my mate and I were cutting grass on our football pitch when a Buccaneer and a Sea Vixen came out of nowhere, so low that we both just hit the ground! That started my love of aircraft!

[@mbspoobah]

American A6 guy here, had a lot of respect for the Buccaneer, the Ark Royal once ported in Norfolk (US) Virginia, got a good look at the Buc, very similar to the A6 in many respects, both planes were butt ugly. I believe the Tornado took over the role once filled by the Buc. Good video....the Buccaneer originated about three years prior to the Intruder.

[@GapBahnDirk]

Ugly? That must have been a Gannet 😂😂

[@NightHeronProduction]

Were you part of that exercise were the Ark Royals Buccaneers had a reign of terror down the eastern seaboard in simulated attacks? Heard it took quite a few days to pin the Ark Royal down. PS from the other side of the pond but thank you for your service!

[@well-blazeredman6187]

The A-6 was a magnificent aircraft. I think it edged the Buccaneer in terms of nav-attack system and in the diversity of weapons it could deploy.

[@warringtonminge4167]

@@mbspoobah The Bucc butt ugly??? How very dare you😮 A thing of rare beauty the Bucc, irrespective of its many innovative design features and the outrageously short timeframe between its Inception and operational deployment. If you want a butt ugly UK military aircraft the HP* Victor bomber is a candidate? * For the benefit of our colonial cousins, HP in this case is Handley Page not Hewlett-Packard😇

[@hotstepper887]

@@warringtonminge4167 Rolling down the runway throttles open wide see the mighty Phantom sway from side to side airborne again without a blip It's just one more aborted trip but we're pressing on regardless for the wg cdrs AFC Went to early briefing climbed into the Kite opened up the throttles and roared into the night leaving the flare path far behind It's dark outside, but we don't mind cos we're pressing on regardless for the wg cdr's AFC Rolling down the runway throttle open wide see the mighty Falcon sway from side to side airborne again with just 9 G I wish I had a nav with me (!) but we're pressing on regardless for the wg cdr's AFC Rolling down the runway throttles open wide see the mighty Jaguar sway from side to side airborne again, but only just It's not much fun with F*** all thrust but we're pressing on regardless for the wg cdr's AFC Give me Buccaneers They're British through and through The Banana Jet The Best we've had yet We are the last of the few. Don't give me the Jaguar Unless you refer to the car The car is a ground hog The aircraft, a half frog Don't give me the Jaguar. Give me Buccaneers They're British through and through The Banana Jet The Best we've had yet We are the last of the few. Don't give me the Harrier jump jet You haven't convinced me yet Jets that fly backwards Are soon to be knackered Don't give me the Harrier jump jet Well… You know, not just yet... Give me Buccaneers... They're British through and through The Banana Jet The Best we've had yet We are the last of the few. Don't give me this computer crap It's no way to tackle a SAP It's OK for Dicks, Germans and Spicks But Gentleman, carry a map! Give me Buccaneers They're British through and through The Banana Jet The Best we've had yet We are the last of the few. Don't give me Air Traffic Control They live in a bloody great hole They scream, and they shout, then F**k you about Don't give me Air Traffic Control. Give me Buccaneers They're British through and through The Banana Jet The Best we've had yet We are the last of the few. Don't give me the F-104 It's only a ground loving whore It goes in a turn, flick, spin and burn Don't give me the F-104. Give me Buccaneers They're British through and through The Banana Jet The Best we've had yet WE ARE THE LAST OF THE FEW!

[@aviationdeepdive]

An hour long video on the Buccaneer? Yes please

[@AviationRepublic]

Thank you for your continued support.

[@krishorst4734]

Back when Thunder City was still running here in cape town we would see the Buc's, Hunters and occasionally the Lightnings thundering over. Such a treat, the sound of those incredible machines. Man I miss thunder city! Great doc! Thanks, keep up the great work!

[@AviationRepublic]

Thank you very much. more to come. Thundercity was simply the things that dreams were made of. :-) Joe

[@cyrilthompson1846]

I live in Belfast not far from where they were maintained at Sydenham and used to see them all the time landing or taking off . I too loved to see them and although they weren't allowed to do low level flights near the city they still became a favourite.

[@AviationRepublic]

How many of us have even as adults raced outside every time we hear something interesting in the air.

[@JamesStanbridge]

love the Buccaneer I don't think there will ever be an aircraft like it and I wouldn't be surprised if she came back out of retirement, also love the Phantoms on deck at 9:56

[@jakhaughton1800]

I know this site doesn’t get into politics but it has to be said Harold Wilson was a menace to innovation in military equipment. I met a member of the design team of the TSR2. He had tears in his eyes when MOD suits came into his office and took all details of the TSR2 to be destroyed.

[@keithdurose7057]

He was quite effective in disarming Britain. I wonder if he was on the Soviet payroll. Like Blunt, Burgess and the other 2 spy's?

[@WOFFY-qc9te]

Unfortunately it looks like we will have another Labor part and they will screw up our military as they don't understand global politics. I have also met a TSR3 engineer and after all these years he is still devastated at the decision to scrap, he did like many other engineers take home some drawings. They scraped our space and ICBM projects which Elon is just now inventing !.

[@robinwalton-gm5ms]

Morons!!!

[@jacksprat9172]

Never understand that, all the plans airframes, models all burnt........who would do such a thing and why? More importantly, how much were they paid and who by? If a project is cancelled or shelved that's one thing but why try to eradicate all history of the effort and work carried out. It makes no sense and I'd imagine a lot of very talented people left the industry after that fiasco.

[@JohnSmith-pl2bk]

@@jacksprat9172 Who were the enemy at that time? Who were the moles that were yet to be discovered? There is your answer...

[@leesatterthwaite4719]

I was told by an RAF officer ( Victor aircrew ) that when they did Maple leaf they would regularly come back to base with bits of trees stuck in the bomb bay doors !

[@AviationRepublic]

Who? the Victor crew who have bits of trees stuck in their bomb bay doors?

[@johankotze42]

In the late 1980s I worked on a mine near one of South Africa's largest military exercise grounds. There were regular army/air force coordinated exercises. One day I had to drive to a neighbouring town for something, and had a Buccaneer pass me at low level! That was quite a frightening experience!

[@AviationRepublic]

I would have loved to have seen that, amazing memories.

[@paulfromdevon4707]

Remember being at an airshow at Chivenor in Devon in the early 80s when they announced that a Bucc 4 ship were in the area and would simulate an airfield attack - stunning watching one following the contours of the coastal dunes ahead of us as it barrelled towards the airfield. As it roared overhead at a ridiculously low height, the other three arrived a split second apart from the other three directions. Cue shreiks of surprise, startled looks and car alarms going off. Once the roar started to subside, we all started to laugh at how we'd been so completely monstered by the mighty Buccs. Simply wonderful memory.

[@hennies9509]

In South Africa, the Buccaneer was to be used in the delivery of a nuclear bomb. I was told there was one on standby at all times to be ready to do the job. My friends dad was a fighter pilot, and I would listen when him and other pilots were talking. Got lots of info from listening to them. The Buccaneer is an amazing aircraft, and how those guys were flying was amazing. We had a fantastic Airforce in South Africa. 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@carlpretorius1584]

Yes, you're right...

[@AviationRepublic]

Must have been amazing growing up listening to the stories, maybe you could one day write them down and publish them on a website.

[@FrancoisVanRooyen-i7j]

My dad was an electrician with 24 Squadron until it was disbanded. Visited AFB Waterkloof with him on holidays. Always admired the huge Buccaneers, standing as a kid under its huge wings. From the 24 Squadron hanger about 100m opposite the runway, experienced many take-offs and landings of Buccaneers as they started or finished sorties. I was privileged to sat in one Buccaneer while she was started up. Was given a stern 'Do not touch anything! One of my best childhood memories... My dad used to point at large fuel tank shaped pods under covers... said it was hydrogen bombs...

[@bremnersghost948]

Not just Airforce you Saffers had a top class Arms Industry too with Armscorp, Doubt most people today even realise South Africa had not just Nukes but the whole Plethora of WMD!

[@MillerVanDotTV]

The ZA bombs were not deliverable….

[@tismeagen684]

Have many fond memories of the Buccaneer, I worked on production at the the former Blackburn site at Brough in the sixties which was then part of the Hawker Siddeley Aviation Group.

[@AviationRepublic]

Wow, please tell me you have a shoe box full of photos...... - Joe

[@joannicholson3030]

My favourite aircraft back in the 80s. I served with the Royal Observer Corps, and we were at RAF Waddington when some came in to land from Germany. We were allowed to go and watch them practicing landing and pulling syraight back up. Magnificent!!

[@AviationRepublic]

That's must have been a right sight to behold, I am slightly envious. When I initially read your comment i thought you wrote "Wash" instead of "Watch", I was thinking, how lucky, but midlands air museum are always looking for volunteers to help keep their aircraft clean. :-) Joe

[@spindizzy64]

I was there as well, also ROC.

[@klackon1]

Ugly duckling! I have always considered the Buccaneer to be one of the most stunning looking aircraft ever.

[@spacedriver24]

Great video....... beautiful aircraft. The Americans couldn't believe how low it could fly.

[@AviationRepublic]

She is an engineering masterpiece, one of the greats, although, in two weeks I want to show you guys a truly beautiful jet.

[@stephenphillip5656]

It is said that there was low level flight ,stupid low level flight....and Buccaneer low level flight. As a child in the 1960s and making "Airfix" kit models of various aircraft, the Buccaneer was amongst my favourites, along with the Hawker Hunter. It represents a golden age of British aircraft design and development.

[@Jon6429]

Many moons ago I was part of the team archiving old inactive personnel files at RAF Innsworth. Once in a while on breaks we would sneak a look and oh boy there was some wild antics. Flying under the wires of national grid pylons was apparently popular till somebody did it with a Lancaster bomber.

[@Goit_Goit]

My old man was stationed at Lossie at the end of the 70's. Says he saw a returning Buccs with dents in its arse from clipping waves more than once.

[@AviationRepublic]

Those Pilots were a different breed, I can imagine Buccs returning with branches and leaves.

[@well-blazeredman6187]

And that happened to one of the 'Dambusters', with the bomb being ripped away before bouncing back to damage the aircraft. The plane and crew survived their truncated mission.

[@stickiedmin6508]

​@@AviationRepublic . . . branches, leaves, the occasional terrified squirrel, fragments of snapped barbed-wire fences, someone's TV aerial . . .

[@AnagramAutoclassics]

Actually, it was the top of a LW aerial, borrowed from a Russian trawler​@AviationRepublic

[@keefymckeefface8330]

@@well-blazeredman6187 on training for the mission one of them clipped a hedge. Not trees ina hedge, but a hedge.

[@splintz5976]

I worked on this aircraft just as i started my apprenticeship with Hawker Sidley Aviation, what a beautiful Aircraft

[@lindseyclark7038]

In my youth I used to stand at the bottom of the runway at RAF Lossiemouth and watch the Shackleton and buccaneer land also!

[@AviationRepublic]

Moments like those are what memories are made of.

[@philb2085]

Went to a UK airshow back in the 80's. Place was completely fogged in on the day and the only thing that flew all day was an RAF Buccaneer 💪 Ugly-beautiful like a lot of UK FAA aircraft 😍

[@PhilipShand]

My Father worked on the Blackburn NA39 way back before it first flew while he was in the Fleet Air Arm.I had a model of one which I think I still have somewhere. I'm now 74 so my memories go back a long way.He also worked on the Harrier.That was back in the days when the government spent money on British aircraft. Remember when ?

[@ianharris7741]

Great video, nicely put together. I spent most of my RAF time on the Bucc fleet at RAF Honington, ASF & 208 Sqn. Laarbruch ASF & XV Sqn. Work with 237 OCU & Victors at Marham on IFR. Finally at Lossiemouth with 208 Sqn. Fell in love with this airframe on my first posting and loved all my time. It was a sad weekend in 1994 when the Bucc was finally taken out of service from Lossie as the Tornados took over. The Buccaneer was and aircraft flown by warriors and maintained by gods. :) Once again great video.

[@AviationRepublic]

Many thanks, much appreciated that you enjoyed the video, means a lot. I bet you have some stories to tell. :-) Joe

[@giulianomarco]

I started work at Brough in 1986. I helped design & programme the Workflow Control system for the machine shops. They were still making spare parts (YB3-, YB6- and YB9-) into the 90s. My old boss worked at Hozzam for a while and used to watch the Bucc pilots buzzing past the control tower!

[@AviationRepublic]

Good memories no doubt, she really does hold a special place in the hearts of everyone who worked on her. Your work will always be part of the Buccs, that's something to be really proud of. - Joe

[@jeffnic3116]

I like to point out, SAAF Buccaneers did not carry out missions in South West Africa, only in Angola. They did at times operate out of South West Africa. Their strike missions often started from Pretoria, flying directly to their target in Angola and not giving the enemy time to know they were coming.

[@rudolphguarnacci197]

Please, try not to confuse anyone with a fact as their minds are already made up.

[@jeffnic3116]

@@rudolphguarnacci197 I agree, walk away if you can not have a civil discussion.

[@jerrybuirski2344]

I remember seeing the SAAF Buccaneers here and there over the years and was always struck by how ear-shatteringly loud they were.

[@AviationRepublic]

I have got it on my to do list to look deeper into the SAAF and their Buccaneers and make a video it soon, I feel there is a very interesting story there,

[@Keiran_P0D_Benn1678]

And by "The Enemy" the SA Govt. meant: "Uppity Blacks who had the temerity to Not Want or Need Colonial-type 'guidance' from the "friendly" Apartheid Govt. of South Africa! Mate, if you Genuinely Believe S.Africa hasn't bombed and blitzed Namibia, Angola and All 'points North' where they believed there were ANC and 'others' Training and Supply Bases..... - Well, I'm an Investment Specialist and am currently Selling to wise investors, Shares we hold in A Big Clock in London - right by the River Thames and Houses of Parliament - and recently Refurbished at a Cost of..... well, I Can't give Too Much Away!! H2G! Some folks make you... 🤬🤬🤬

[@markharris8929]

Lovely put together tribute to this iconic aircraft. Thank you.

[@AviationRepublic]

No, thank you for watching, I wanted to pay her, the designer and pilots the respect they are due/

[@robertcaldwell2994]

I remember walking in the Lake District and seeing jets (no idea what kind) flying down the valley way below my altitude on the trail.

[@roguegargoyle914]

As a kid, on holiday at my aunts on the Black Isle, I loved watching the Buccaneers flying low over the Beauly firth. I can vividly remember seeing the pilots in their cockpits as they flew past.

[@AviationRepublic]

The Bucc is responsible for many of us falling in love with aviation.

[@jamesabernethy7896]

Although neither a military man nor technically minded, I watch a few channels that cover military hardware, from various perspectives. As far as I know, this is the first time I have seen your channel or anything regarding the Buccaneer. A fascinating history and you do an incredible job of giving character to the story and explaining the technical side.

[@AviationRepublic]

I am very humbled by your generous comment, thank you very much, I hope to make more of these long form docs, I was worried I may have over cooked the technical details, but it seems that the video has the right balance.

[@the70yearoldmtber85]

I used to build them at Brough, my neighbours brother was a test pilot at Holm on Spalding Moor

[@AviationRepublic]

No way, that sounds amazing, I imagine you have some interesting stories, if you do, email me and I will see what I can do. :-) Joe

[@yinglouie9663]

Thank you so much for your work displaying the fabulous Buccaneers!!!

[@AviationRepublic]

Thank you too for watching, very glad you enjoyed it.

[@cyclesgoff9768]

Wow, well done, obviously a passion project. I have the grand total of 8hrs on the bucc and 20 on the converted Hunters that hung around Brawdy in the early 80s. I learned things from your documentary I didn’t know. Re the high speed Yaw issues. The Blackburn designers had to chop the fin hight on the drawing board so the kite would fit into the hanger deck of HMS Eagle. They knew there would be issues. Incidentally the Bucc was the fastest airframe into any target. But not on egress. That was the Tornado GR1 and the F111. Heartening that you young folks are taking an interest. PS You omitted the “Show of Force” over Guatemala City in 72. Nobody killed but it really stopped a war.

[@AviationRepublic]

Thank you, I really appreciate your comment, to say I am jealous is an understatement, I tried to join the RAF but I had a medical issue called "I am too daft to be trusted with a multimillion pound military instrument of mass destruction",it seems there is no cure. We "youngsters" are most definitely interested, Regarding the show of force, yeah, I had to leave a lot on the cutting room floor, otherwise it would have been a much, much longer video.

[@cyclesgoff9768]

@@AviationRepublic just get on with enjoying your life. Remember tRAF Germany was bigger than the whole service now. When I went through elementary flying training I was one of 300 students. I got my first front line tour at 22. Now it’s more like 28. It’s really not worth it the bother anymore.

[@differenttan7366]

Back in the early 90’s when I was 10, I recall vividly getting to sit in the pilot seat of one of these up at Lossiemouth, My dad worked on them at the time.

[@AviationRepublic]

Those are the experiences that live with us for ever. - Joe

[@curryattack8985]

Utterly fabulous video👍👍 well done. Buccaneer a fab airframe. Imagine a buccaneer with modern avionics. It would blow the field away, even now.

[@fox3wheresmybanana386]

One of my RAF Basic jet instructors was a Buccaneer pilot. You will note the amount of ironmongery in the canopy framing, designed to withstand low level birdstrikes. One has to learn to pivot at waist, shoulders, and neck, not just turn one's head, in order to see around all the framing. This is quite tiring under high 'g' forces. It's like a gym in there!

[@AviationRepublic]

Holey moley, it would be an honour to be taught be a Bucc pilot. Many years ago, I had an instructor who was a former A4 Skyhawk pilot, I have never known anyone to handle a C172 like he did that day, I never knew the spamcan could do what he made it do that day, it was def a code brown situation for me. - Joe

[@christopherpayne4898]

I can remember them being delivered by road from Brough to Holme on Spalding moor wings folded up Usually on a Sunday morning and then all the testing they did at the near by airfield just across the fields from our farm

[@Mythocentric]

A friend of mine, a boat owner, was frequently hired by the RAF to assist with low-level bombing practice runs on Luce Bay which were carried out by Buccaneers. Being out on the boat at the mouth of the Bay as these magnificent machines flew overhead almost on the same level is an experience which will last me a lifetime. Once of out great unsung hero's of the air!

[@martinda7446]

I saw my first Buccaneer when I went to Ireland in 1968. I remember the journey on a Viscount. We visited the Belfast which was still in service well before retiring to the Thames.

[@AviationRepublic]

Great memories.

[@amazer747]

I saw my first one in the film "Priates of the Caribbean!"

[@martinda7446]

@@amazer747 😁

[@Leepatrick3868]

My late father had very fond memories of the Buccaneers, he served in the Fleet Air Arm 809Sqn , based at Lossimouth 1969 and on HMS Hermes , he worked on aircraft 020 to 027 as an Aircraft engineer and spent his whole working life in Aviation.

[@AviationRepublic]

That's pretty cool, I hope he told you loads of stories, I was chatting to an old boy yesterday, he was a kid during the war and had such clear memories of those day and was in the RAF for many years, I could have listened to him for days. - Joe

[@jbdhjones2]

I remember visiting the factory where they were built, in 1982, while I was studying at Cranwell. They still had the fatigue test aircraft on the rig. The wings on a bucc are short and stiff. We engineers were impressed that the wing tips were being bent upwards by about 11 inches or more, while the fuselage ends were being bent downwards by what looked like a similar amount. The frame groaned as this was happening. Amazing aircraft

[@AviationRepublic]

I would have loved to have seen that, looking at the Bucc in my local museum which has the wings folded and the internals of the wings are incredible. :-) Joe

[@nimbuskhannk627]

Always loved and was intrigued by the Buccaneer very different design. Your documentary took me back to my youth and the enjoyable assembling of a beautiful Airfix model. Well done!

[@AviationRepublic]

Thank you, I think most of my generation (Grew up in the 70's and 80's) were busy with Airfix, fingers permanently coating in paint and superglue. Good times. :-) Joe

[@mzungusi]

I lived in Lossiemouth during the 70s and saw Buccaneers nearly every day. It was always one of my favourites. Jaguars and Tornadoes never looked as cool and relaxed at low level. A great plane and thank you for telling me so much about it.

[@AviationRepublic]

My pleasure, I wish i could have seen her in action and in flight as much as you have, very envious. :-) Joe

[@scopex2749]

When I did my RAF apprenticeship we had a couple of Bucks to train on. We studued the airframe in depth. It had some incredible innovations for carrier service. The strange 'coke bottle' shape is designed specifically to give her stability at ultra low level. The is why the Buck could fly so low SO STABLE. ordinary shape fuselages cause the aircraft to be troubled by ground buffet. The wings were also fitted with a superb system called 'Boundary Layer Control', which you mention. This allowed pressurised air to be tapped direct from the engine into the wings. This fed into slots and was fed along the laminar flow zone on the wings fooling the wing into thinking it was flying faster than in actually was! This gave the aircraft amazing carrier launch performance. Very sad when they slowly phased out all the 'cold war' jets I served on during my service. I know where many are stored awaiting a day we again need an ULTRA low level attack aircraft. Wrapped up in plastic and stored in temperature controlled hangers......

[@AviationRepublic]

The Bucc in my local RAF museum was for years keep hidden away in the back of one of the display hangers and only recently put her in prime position in the main hanger where she belongs with a nice set of steps to get a look into the cockpit and right down the body where you really get to appreciate the work that went into her design. She truly was a one of a kind.

[@rayjennings3637]

The first two facts were very well described in the video. Fair play to you for making a comment but did you think that no-one was listening?

[@125brat]

Hi Brat, another Brat here! The Bucaneer was designed using the area rule so a plot of the cross-sectional area follows the shape of a bell. The idea is to prevent sudden changes of airflow thus preventing breakup of the laminar flow across the skin which causes drag, buffet and instability.

[@geoffnottage8894]

I believe there were plans for a Super Buccaneer as an alternative to TSR2, could anyone cast light on this?

[@michaelmorgan6341]

​...@@geoffnottage8894

[@jeffhawkins5864]

Really enjoyed the Documentary about the Blackburn Buccaneer, looking at it flying 550 kts just above the waves, A Great Plane for Low Level Flight, Hats of to Blackburn☘️💚RAF🇬🇧Jet

[@AviationRepublic]

Thank you very much, very pleased you enjoyed it, more to come :-) Joe

[@frankmcgregor5032]

Superb piece of work. Grew up with the Buc in moray shire and saw two go in, luckily with no loss of life.

[@Curious-Minds]

Brilliant video, can't believe I just watched/listened to the whole hour. Your videos get better each time, I love the humour.

[@AviationRepublic]

Glad you enjoyed it, I want to thank you for your continued support on every video :-)

[@AviationRepublic]

Thank you, much appreciated.

[@jazjac17]

Aircraft of my childhood living between lossie and kinloss seen them all the time. The aircraft from the petrol station now living at the deer center in fife just a stone throw from me now. An icon.

[@AviationRepublic]

I think petrol station one was sold a few years ago, I only know this from articles on the net, I presume it is still out in the open. - Joe

[@rafman016]

A fantastic documentary - I learned a lot about my all time favourite RAF plane after refuelling them at Laarbruch when I served in the RAF. Thank you 👍👍

[@AviationRepublic]

Hello, thank you, my pleasure, always nice to read comments from those who were there and hand first hand experience. :-) Joe

[@alanmumford8806]

Excellent work in documenting the life of this incredibly versatile aircraft. Thank you!

[@AviationRepublic]

Thank you kindly, I am very pleased you enjoyed it, this was a fun aircraft to research, lots more to come :-) Joe

[@DaveArguesback]

A unique looking aircraft, awesome British engineering, beautiful

[@AviationRepublic]

Without a doubt, a real testament to our aviation past, and built by men with slide rules. :-) Joe

[@Cdr_Mansfield_Cumming]

This channel needs 100 times more subscribers. The quality of production is really high. Well done. A good example is at the Midland Air Museum in Coventry. The site where Armstrong Whitworth produced Lancasters and Hurricanes in WWII.

[@RobertShaw-v9k]

Brilliant film. Thoroughly researched history of the Buccaneer. Thank you

[@gekolizzard]

Only ever seen a Buccaneer once..low flying over the Bluff in Durban KZN. South Africa. Beautiful aircraft.

[@AviationRepublic]

I bet that was something else to see :-) Joe

[@jamesross1799]

I remember building a desert pink Buck airfix kit during the 91 gulf war. . Also a jag and a Gr1.

[@AviationRepublic]

Do you still have them?

[@GenuineAussie1]

You’ve done some great in depth research and deserve my like for this video. Well done. I’ve subscribed and will follow diligently. Thank you 😊

[@AviationRepublic]

Thank you, much appreciated, I hope to earn your subscription. I enjoyed every minute of research, more to come.

[@bmill3113]

I was assigned to Nellis AFB Nevada when both the Buccaneers and Vulcan bomber were there for Red Flag, At the time I was a technician on F-15A aircraft. I found both RAF aircraft quite fascinating. Years later I saw the Buccaneers in their Desert Storm livery.

[@AviationRepublic]

They are indeed very unique aircraft, however, there are so many aircraft from the U.S that are simply superb, I have a video coming out soon on one of them, once i stop messing around with the script.

[@tonyhaynes9080]

Legend has it that a USAF pilot couldn't believe his eyes when he found a Vulcan on Red Flag mission at fifty feet, so he 'shot' it down. As It peeled away he couldn't believe his eyes, and all his senses said it could be happening, when he discovered the two Buccaneers hiding one under each wing.

[@64mustangfan]

I was just going to have a quick peek at your video, well 2 beers and an hour later, I could not pull my eyes away, incredible research and massively interesting, thank you. As a ground soldier in the South African border wars no one could ever say 'here come the Buc's'', rather 'what the hell was that!'. I have huge respect for the SAAF flyboys - I don't glorify war, but such an adrenalin rush brushing along at treetop level in a Puma chopper, or dropping out of the sky in a C-130.

[@AviationRepublic]

Wow, thank you for the compliment, you really made my day, I can imagine that flying at tree top height or jumping out of a C-130 must have been something else. Watch this space more videos to come :-) Joe

[@That_british_crumpet]

Thank you for making this dude. It got me through my history homework

[@livingladolcevita7318]

Brings back memories for me when I was stationed at R.A.F St Athan South Wales. After a service if they were ok they would radio in to do a low pass before going back to their relevant squadrons. To see them coming in from the direction of the Bristol channel and going down the runway full speed at about 30 feet? was a big thrill.

[@memkiii]

I was groundcrew on 208 in the mid 80s at Lossie. It was certainly an experience... especially considering that all I had worked on up until then was Helicopters.... Good time to be there though, with the 2 Squadrons of Buccs, the OCU, all with pairs of Hunter Tbirds, Jaguars, Sea kings and Shackletons. The accommodation was abysmal, the food dire, fights in the bar frequent, and very entertaining locals. One thing I liked about Buccs was the large bay at the rear where electronic guff & the Lox pot were stored. Just enough room to have 40 winks.

[@AviationRepublic]

That's a brilliant story, you actually slept in the equipment bay, imagine if they had taken off with you in the rear. Those must have been special days, although I would have been annoyed at the abysmal food, :-) Joe

[@chr11sf]

Aye but the free breakfasts in the sqn feeder made up for it lol

[@jamesross3902]

If you found the locals entertaining imagine how I felt born and brought up within sight of the airfield I joined the. RAF to see the world and got posted to Lossie worked on VASS best job I ever had

[@rjds1800]

I came to the Buccaneers when they were about to go out of service in 1994. It was an aircraft magazine where the curious looking plane slowly grew on me as a 12 year old. 30 years later I'm a massive Bucc fan amongst other planes.

[@AviationRepublic]

Me too, the first time I saw her, my first thought was "What on earth is that", but the more you learn about her exploits, her engineering the more you fall in love with her, strange that we have such affection for what is effectively metal, but here we are :-) Joe

[@1shed]

My dad was a FDO on the old Ark Royal and he said they'd often have to remove seaweed from the edges of returning Bucaneer's intakes; testament to exactly how low the aircraft were regularly flown.

[@AviationRepublic]

That's a great story, i hope your dad took some pics, either way, these are the sort of memories that make this beauty such a legend. - Joe

[@offwithhishead2556]

My Dad was an R&D guy for Marconi and flew pillion in many aircraft testing radar and jammers. He always loved the Buccaneer as a test-bed and he described it as being like being flown in a really comfy armchair! Conversely he hated testing kit in Harriers as it was so cramped and felt like it would shake your fillings out.

[@AviationRepublic]

Haha, love it, comfy armchair, brilliant. Looking into the cockpit of the Bucc here in my local museum, it does look nice and snug. :-) Joe

[@offwithhishead2556]

@@AviationRepublic I vividly remember him coming home after the the last time he flew Buccaneer. He was as pissed off as I've ever seen him. It was Tornados (mostly) after that and he wasn't nearly as enamoured!

[@AviationRepublic]

Did he ever tell you why?

[@offwithhishead2556]

@@AviationRepublic Because he just loved the Bucc and he hated that they were being taken out of srervice.

[@AviationRepublic]

I see, thanks for that.

[@ateleskier7066]

Superb video - encyclopedic narrative. As a child of the 60's, and an avid aircraft and Royal Navy fan through the 1970's and 80's, I was totally in love with this aircraft. I'm old enough to have seen an operational English Electric Lightning take off and stand on its tail from close proximity, and watch Buccaneers screaming over The Wash as well as dropping ordnance off the coast of Wales. Oh, and I was also smitten with the Harrier, Hunter, Hercules and Sea King. Thank you Airfix, for allowing me to own all of the above. 😉 Happy days.

[@AviationRepublic]

Thank you so much, took a while to research, but seems it was well received, I have another long form documentary style video coming out in about 2 weeks once I stop messing around with the wording. Yeah, Airfix was just the best, and I am completely envious that you got to see the Lightning standing on her tail, that must have been something else. :-) Joe

[@Delta2D2]

Thank you for your time & effort making this informative video. I remember walking to school in the 80’s, down a hill, 600ft AMSL, and seeing one of these flying over, just below eye level. The sight & amazing sound had such an impact, I joined the RAF (Res) in later life, and a moment that I will never forget.

[@AviationRepublic]

I would have been jumping up and down like a chimp if I had seen that. Interesting how something like that can make such an impression, the thing about aviation is once it hits, you will never fall out of love with it. :-) Joe

[@farmerned6]

I personally recommend "Phoenix Squadron" by Rowland White very good book about the RN FAA in the 60/70's , covers the long distance "show of force" done By 2 Blackburn Buccaneers , that prevented a war

[@AviationRepublic]

That's a top recommendation, there was so much I wanted to add to the video, but decided to leave them for another time, but yes, that's a great read.

[@Mex1c070]

Great video! In the early 1990s while driving up a slip road to join the A34 in South Abingdon, I looked in my wing mirror to see if any vehicles were coming from behind, and to my astonishment I saw two big air intakes of a buccaneer just taking off from the airfield. What a beautiful aircraft.

[@AviationRepublic]

Imagine if the car had a dash cam pointing rearwards what footage that would have been.

[@GWAYGWAY1]

No comments about the battle of Belize. City when the Bucks flew off the carrier halfway across the Atlantic to get to British Honduras (Belize) to do a thunderous show of power over the city to dissuade the Honduran force from invading once they realised the British were just over the horizon when they were nowhere near, the plane then had to fly back around Cuba and Florida back to the carrier still ploughing across the ocean. It showed the long range and the refuelling capabilities.

[@stephenchappell7512]

⬇️ as featured in 'Phoenix Squadron'

[@JeffreyWilliams-dr7qe]

A year please. Context also if you please. Thx.

[@AviationRepublic]

If I could show you the original script, I had to cut out so much from it, it pained me to do so, if I had kept every thing in the video would have been about 2 hours, long, I still have the cut out bits, I might still put something together later on this year.

[@GWAYGWAY1]

@@stephenchappell7512 You are correct I have edited it now, my memory is not as good as once was

[@stephenchappell7512]

@@GWAYGWAY1 me too 👍

[@sbkenn1]

I saw them twice, once from a Cumbrian beach, 3 of them came in across the sea. Once in the Cairngorms, a single a/c flew low up the North face of the mountain and rolled as it cleared the crest.

[@athiftsabit1208]

This kind of deep dive explanation is always great to watch

[@AviationRepublic]

I am pleased you enjoyed the deep dive format, more to come soon. :-) Joe

[@athiftsabit1208]

@@AviationRepublic I'm the one who should say thank you for your work. Easy mate i'll check regularly, don't forget to stay healthy and take your time!