Aircraft of the Month for October 1999

Blackburn/Hawker-Siddeley Buccaneer

Overview
The Buccaneer is excellent at low altitudes; its strong fuselage can take the high G's of terrain-following paths easily and it can fly at high subsonic speeds at low altitudes. It was one of the fastest aircraft in the world at sea level when carring a heavy warload. It also has a long range, which can be extended by mid-flight refueling. The last time Buccaneers were used in combat was in the Gulf War, when they designated targets for Tornados dropping laser-guided bombs.

Appearance
The Buccaneer is a mid-wing two-seat aircraft with a T-tail, circular engine bays on the sides the fuselage, and a bulged rotating bomb bay door capable of four 500kg (1100 lb) bombs or a nuclear weapon to minimize drag. As it got closer to its retirement, the bomb bay was used more for fuel than weapons. Area ruling was introduced to the fuselage to improve stability and reduce drag at higher speeds. It has a thick wing, which made flying in the turbulent air at sea level a lot smoother, and it could carry heavy stores such as the Martel missile. Below the tail the Buccanner featured clamshell airbrakes that open sideways, which are effective because of their large area. The Rolls-Royce Spey turbofans replaced the older, less reliable and less efficient, Gyron Juniors. Engine bleed air was blown over the wings to increase lift. The Blue Parrot attack radar in the nose was optimized for search.

History
Buccaneer S.1
The Buccaneer was designed for the RN in 1952 as a low-altitude attack aircraft of extremely strong construction for attacking enemy warships. The prototype, the Blackburn N.A. 39, first flew on 30 April 1958. The last (209th) Buccaneer was delivered to the RAF on 6 October 1977. Most of the Buccaneer's service life was spent flying from land bases after all British carriers were retired and they were handed over to the RAF.

Blackburn/Hawker-Siddeley Buccaneer S.Mk 2B Specifications

Type Two-seat carrier-capable low-level strike aircraft

Powerplant Two 51.05kN (11000 lb) Rolls-Royce RB.168-1A Spey Mk 101 turbofans

Armament 7260 kg (16000lb) of bombs, rockets, anti-ship or anti-surface missiles.

Performance

Max speed Mach .92 (979km/h; 529kt)

Combat radius 1740km (1080nm) hi-lo-hi; 3495km (1185nm) ferry range.

Minimum Takeoff Run 305m (1000ft).

Service Ceiling 12190m (42500 ft)

Weights

Empty 13608kg (30,000lb lb)

MTOW 28123kg (62,000 lb)

Dimensions

Wingspan 13.41m (44ft)

Length 19.33m (63ft 5in)

Height 4.97m (16ft 3in)

Wing area 47.82m² (515sq ft)

Blackburn/Hawker-Siddeley Buccaneer S.Mk 2B Specifications
Type	Two-seat carrier-capable low-level strike aircraft
Powerplant	Two 51.05kN (11000 lb) Rolls-Royce RB.168-1A Spey Mk 101 turbofans
Armament	7260 kg (16000lb) of bombs, rockets, anti-ship or anti-surface missiles.
Performance
Max speed	Mach .92 (979km/h; 529kt)
Combat radius	1740km (1080nm) hi-lo-hi; 3495km (1185nm) ferry range.
Minimum Takeoff Run	305m (1000ft).
Service Ceiling	12190m (42500 ft)
Weights
Empty	13608kg (30,000lb lb)
MTOW	28123kg (62,000 lb)
Dimensions
Wingspan	13.41m (44ft)
Length	19.33m (63ft 5in)
Height	4.97m (16ft 3in)
Wing area	47.82m² (515sq ft)