Buccaneer help

[speedy]

I'm just starting my 1/48th scale Airfix kit.

When the wings are folded can the flaps be either drooped or up

When were the wing tip extensions added, I'm planning on an early 80's bird at Laarbruch.

Thanks

Steve.

[Wez]

I'm just starting my 1/48th scale Airfix kit.

When the wings are folded can the flaps be either drooped or up

When were the wing tip extensions added, I'm planning on an early 80's bird at Laarbruch.

Thanks

Steve.

Steve,

Not sure about your question BUT a mate of mine who worked on Bucc's told me that many of the RAF ones lost the ability to fold their wings (something to do with problems with the wing-fold pin). This was indicated to the aircrew by red-crosses around the the wing fold hinge.

You can see it in this picture, the red X in the box is the thing to look for:

http://www.abpic.co.uk/popup.php?q=1381553

So don't go using those stencils with the wings folded. Others more familiar with RAF Bucc's will know more but it's a little thing to watch.

EDIT: a quick search on Air Britain shows plenty'o'Buccs with wings folded and flaps down - http://www.air-britain.com/# go to Pictures/ABPic LIbrary and type Buccaneer in the search box.

Wez

Edited March 21, 2013 by Wez

[Hawkkeeper]

I'm just starting my 1/48th scale Airfix kit.

When the wings are folded can the flaps be either drooped or up

When were the wing tip extensions added, I'm planning on an early 80's bird at Laarbruch.

Thanks

Steve.

with wings folded & a/c parked the flaps were usually left in the fully down position, the larger surface on rear of folded wing is the aileron but it had a droop facilty so it gave more airfoil surface when landing on carriers & was still able to have full aileron use authority IIRC.

also RAF a/c retained the operating wingfold, the red cross on the panel is just a 'no step' marking, nothing to do with being able to fold wings or not, most of these panels were removed & stored.

Edited March 21, 2013 by Hawkkeeper

[Wez]

with wings folded & a/c parked the flaps were usually left in the fully down position, the larger surface on rear of folded wing is the aileron but it had a droop facilty so it gave more airfoil surface when landing on carriers & was still able to have full aileron use authority IIRC.

also RAF a/c retained the operating wingfold, the red cross on the panel is just a 'no step' marking, nothing to do with being able to fold wings or not, most of these panels were removed & stored.

How were those where the wing-fold was inhibited indicated on the airframe (my mate Sticky is adamant that the wing -fold was inhibited on some aircraft - he was a split-brain on the OCU), he says a red line entry (and presumably a pulled and gagged circuit breaker), wouldn't stop some aircrew trying to fold the wings so they needed an additional visual clue...

Wez

Edited March 21, 2013 by Wez

[speedy]

Thank you all folks,

let me put the question another way. If I wanted to fold the wings do I have to cut the flaps and droop them or could they be folded with the flaps "up".

Steve.

[LightningMk6]

Normally inhibiting was done by removing the fuse associated with the selector valves or solenoids. The same way they inhibited the bomb door rotating when arriving back after a trip abroad, contraband stowed safely.

[Wez]

Looking on Air Britain (go on try it for yourself... ...you know you want to)! Most of those parked with their wings folded have their flaps lowered but, this picture shows one with the wings folded and flaps up!

http://www.abpic.co.uk/popup.php?q=1358420

Here's a (the?) Bucc' at Bruntingthorpe - wings folded flaps up too!

http://www.abpic.co.uk/popup.php?q=1263783

And this one in service...

http://www.abpic.co.uk/popup.php?q=1159380

So it would appear that most of the time the flaps were deployed on the ground (wings folded or otherwise), but it was possible to have the wings folded and the flaps up. The question is, did the ailerons (on the folded part of the wing), always deflect outwards on both sides with the wings folded?

Wez

Edit: Added more links to Air Britain

Edited March 21, 2013 by Wez

[speedy]

Brilliant thanks for that & I've had a look and its answered the question it could be done, irrespective of whether it was done or not. Now all we need is a photo with the flaps up but a front or rear shot to show the aileron section deflection if any!.

Steve.

[speedy]

Found one, wings folded but ailerons not drooped

http://www.airliners.net/photo/UK---Air/Hawker-Siddeley-Buccaneer/1460515/L/&sid=4af321c3bdcc030714edd632fae996be

Final question as I've just been through the airliners ones. 15 Sqn coded L early 80's but can't find the serial number - anybody?

Steve.

[Hawkkeeper]

Found one, wings folded but ailerons not drooped

http://www.airliners.net/photo/UK---Air/Hawker-Siddeley-Buccaneer/1460515/L/&sid=4af321c3bdcc030714edd632fae996be

Final question as I've just been through the airliners ones. 15 Sqn coded L early 80's but can't find the serial number - anybody?

Steve.

that one in the link is XX900, last 3 is on the fin.

as to inhibited wing fold, a red line [limitation log] entry would bring it to the aircrews attention & the circuits would be isolated, no need for visual clues on the airframe, plus pilot would not see that red X on the wing panel during his walkaround. [i did 7 years on Bucc majors between '81 to '] IIRC '88]

IIRC XX900 was one of the last to go though a major maintenance before the fleet was disbanded out of service.

Edited March 21, 2013 by Hawkkeeper

[TEZ]

Steve,

This site is very good:

http://www.blackburn-buccaneer.co.uk/0_Contents.html

XW546 1977 & 1982

http://www.blackburn-buccaneer.co.uk/Pages1_files/Squadrons_Index.html

Britmodeller wadeocu maybe worth contacting regarding RAFG Buccaneer photos etc.

regards

Andrew

[speedy]

Thank you all very much, now to get crackin.

Steve.