Chorlton, Martyn The Buccaneer

The Blackburn, later Hawker Siddeley, Buccaneer enjoyed an incredible service career that lasted for over four decades. Designed as a carrier-borne attack aircraft, the Buccaneer was a solid aircraft designed to take the punishment of carrier operations and the constant stresses to the airframe caused by low-level flying. The aircraft entered service with the Royal Navy in 1962 in place of the Supermarine Scimitar and would continue to serve the senior service until 1978. The RAF received their first aircraft in 1969; this being a legacy of the cancelled TSR.2 and F-111K, which resulted in a capability gap that had to be closed. The Buccaneer went on to serve the RAF in the low-level strike and reconnaissance role until 1994, serving with distinction during the Gulf War of early 1991. A robust and reliable aircraft that was popular with both its air and ground crews, the Buccaneer was a breed apart; a truly great British piece of engineering.

The RAF received its first aircraft in 1969, a legacy of the decommissioned TSR.2 and F-111K, which had left a capability gap that needed to be filled. The Buccaneer served the RAF as a low-flying and reconnaissance aircraft until 1994 and performed admirably during the Gulf War in early 1991. The Buccaneer was a robust and reliable aircraft that was popular with both air and ground crews and was a truly great piece of British engineering.