Airfix 1/48 Buccaneer S.2 for 2022!

[Selwyn]

Just a couple of quick nitpicks;

The Matra rocket launchers in the kit are not Matra rocket launchers! They  are No 7  2" rocket launchers which were not made by Matra.

Don't use the yellow ring decal markings on the bombs for these colour schemes, They depict UK 1000lb bombs from 1980 onwards, before this the yellow markings were painted just behind the  nose plug. They were repainted further back when paveway II bombs came into UK use  as the bomb nose fairings covered the yellow hazard band, 

 

Selwyn

[exdraken]

On 8/5/2022 at 6:01 PM, sniperUK said:

The photos below will speak for themselves.

Wow, thanks a lot!

A definite  YES!

[Retired Bob]

Whilst on the subject of the kits weapons, I cannot help noticing the raised band around the 1,000lb bombs, it looks like Airfix have seen or scanned bombs with the transit rings in place.  These cast rings are to protect the rear surface of the bombs during transit and storage and are removed prior to fitting the tail section.  Regarding the MARTEL missiles, apart from the test and evaluation rounds, operational missiles and pods were painted gloss Light Aircraft Grey, at the end of the 70's when only the RAF were using them did they get painted satin dark green.  I'm not sure where Airfix got their colour call out for the kit missile schemes?

The TV missiles should have a black protective cap over the TV clear nose, it was blown off with a pressure cartridge on launch and there was also a connecting tube from the front of the TV launcher to the nose of the missile. (I'll represent it with some stretched sprue) This provided coolant to keep the clear nose section from misting up during flight, that is why the launchers are different for the two missile types, the AR just had an aerodynamic metal nose cap, the TV variant had a temperature control pack.

[Des]

Apologies if this has already been mentioned and I have missed it but a small point on the TV Martel Data Link Pod.

 

I have just been looking through Tim Lamming's Buccaneer - The Story Of The Last All British Strike Aircraft published by PSL in 1998 and it includes a technical manual Martel and Sea Eagle installation diagram that confirms something that was was niggling away about the TV data-link pod.

 

The operational pod was fitted with the narrow sharp end forwards while a similarly shaped TV Airborne Trainer Pod could be carried with the wider blunter end forwards and on which the nose cap could be removed to uncover a missile seeker head so that at point of simulated launch the aircraft in effect became the missile , photos of it in The Buccaneer - Operational Service With The Royal Navy and Royal Air Force by Graham Pitchfork , published by PSL in 2002.

[cardiff guy]

Saw this in the flesh today, its very nice with some beautiful features.

 

Regards Glenn

[Phone Phixer]

On 8/6/2022 at 3:18 AM, Greg B said:

What differences for an early RAF frame with the non bulged bay would there be?

There is nothing major that you would need to do. Use airbrake outer skins without too many strengthening plates. Research for photo's of specific airframes for aerial type and placement on the spine and the ILS aerials on the fin.

Some of the early RAF Buccaneers were S2A's, same as the S2C's with the more stubby pre-Martel pylons. The tailplane bullet fairing may be slightly different, as they were before Skyguardian RWR installation.

[Phone Phixer]

I've seen a few reviews on You Tube now. I know everyone can't be a Buccaneer specialist, but some made me cringe with what they were calling some of the parts or weapons!

I had the niggle about the seat harness (many will say meh). But I am impressed Airfix have included the rear TV monitor for Martel use, and have a different rear seat with splayed thigh guards for the S2D. Top marks there.

[alt-92]

5 hours ago, Phone Phixer said:

I had the niggle about the seat harness (many will say meh). But I am impressed Airfix have included the rear TV monitor for Martel use, and have a different rear seat with splayed thigh guards for the S2D.

I think it helps that Paramjit is a modeller himself - considering the kit was designed during lockdown and in-person visits weren't feasible, all the details are based on reference materials.

Yes it isn't cheap, however they really went to town on it and it's worth the money from what I have seen.

 

 

 

[wschurr]

Hannants notified me they have them in stock. 

[RAF4EVER]

Just now, wschurr said:

Hannants notified me they have them in stock. 

Scale?

[spfparker]

Do the holes in the airbrake need drilling out - they look a little shalllow. and is there the correct number?..

 

[One 48]

45 minutes ago, RAF4EVER said:

Scale?

 

1/48, Just got an email notification, should see them in most hobby stores soon, Ebay sellers too I guess.

[sniperUK]

15 minutes ago, spfparker said:

Do the holes in the airbrake need drilling out - they look a little shalllow. and is there the correct number?..

 

2022-08-08_03-00-45 by Tony Osborne, on Flickr

[Mike]

I don't think we need another "Ooh, the Bucc is now available" thread, when this one's been going for.... a loooong time.  Merged  

[tony.t]

Paid for my pre-order from the big H today, along with some unrelated necessaries for a post-free package.

 

What we needing? 

* Seat straps/buckles (which, no doubt, will soon emerge)

* pre-painted IP details, or are the kit decals sufficient ? 

* Xtradecals when they're out, just because 

* a new camera tray and an S.1 conversion for the inevitable second S.2C/D buy 

 

Tony 

 

 

[sniperUK]

For the instrument panels there are sixteen seperate parts with raised dials, switches, screens etc to fit on and around the tub along with a similar number of decals, to replace them with aftermarket will mean removing every bit of 3d moulded detail.

Full seat harness are provided by very nicely printed decals that are suggested to add onto foil before fitting. 

 

IMG_20220808_165839 by Tony Osborne, on Flickr

 

IMG_20220808_165820 by Tony Osborne, on Flickr

 

IMG_20220808_165830 by Tony Osborne, on Flickr

Edited August 8, 2022 by sniperUK

[WV908]

I think I've made my choice - S.2B XW527 of 15 sqn RAF Laarbruch, Germany, May 1972 

 

Fresh off the production line as an early S.2B before the bulged payload bay was fitted.

 

In this condition it had camo topsides with a grey belly, had hi-viz roundels and fin flash, white XV and serial, with black underwing serials.

 

I have decals for XW526 in this condition but that crashed with two fatalities, so a simple number swap avoids that and matches the serial of a surviving cockpit in Italy.

 

Cheers,

  WV908

[Bobby No Mac]

Interesting Modelling Co. did an unboxing on YouTube last night. Living up to their name, an interesting nugget was that they said it was moulded in the UK.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5R6u7HzZ4E

 

 

Edited August 8, 2022 by Bobby No Mac
Weird "A YouTube channel" appeared in my text

[sniperUK]

43 minutes ago, WV908 said:

I think I've made my choice - S.2B XW527 of 15 sqn RAF Laarbruch, Germany, May 1972 

 

Fresh off the production line as an early S.2B before the bulged payload bay was fitted.

 

In this condition it had camo topsides with a grey belly, had hi-viz roundels and fin flash, white XV and serial, with black underwing serials.

 

I have decals for XW526 in this condition but that crashed with two fatalities, so a simple number swap avoids that and matches the serial of a surviving cockpit in Italy.

 

Cheers,

  WV908

As a B photos show XW527 as having the RAF arrestor hook housing with the flare launchers , this housing is not included with the kit only the FAA version.

[sniperUK]

6 minutes ago, Bobby No Mac said:

Interesting Modelling Co. did an unboxing on YouTube last night. Living up to their name, an interesting nugget was that they said it was moulded in the UK.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5R6u7HzZ4E

 

 

They got that wrong, it is produced in India and says so on the box, the 24th Spitfire is being produced in the UK.

[WV908]

9 minutes ago, sniperUK said:

As a B photos show XW527 as having the RAF arrestor hook housing with the flare launchers , this housing is not included with the kit only the FAA version.

 

Does anyone have any reference photos for the differences between the two types of arrestor hook bay please? 

 

Cheers,

 WV908

[Phone Phixer]

11 minutes ago, sniperUK said:

As a B photos show XW527 as having the RAF arrestor hook housing with the flare launchers , this housing is not included with the kit only the FAA version.

Buccaneers in the early days had no AN/ALE 40 equipment installed. Chaff packets were bodge taped to the inner airbrake skins and would be ripped off and scattered by the airflow. A one use only option. There was no IR flare capability.

In 1983 for Op Pulsator, 12 airframes had the urgent modification of AN/ALE 40 under the exhaust nacelles and the ability to carry AIM 9G Sidewinders. Due to chaff going into the rear radio bay, and flares whizzing past the fuel dump mast if loaded to the port dispenser by error, the modification was not extended beyond those 12 aircraft. During the Sea Eagle avionics upgrade around 1986 it was decided to install a permanent AN/ALE 40 system. The 2 flare dispensers went flush to the skin to the rear of the arrestor hook. The chaff dispensers went on the rear outboard area of the outboard pylons.

So any Buccaneer from introduction until 1986 does not need the flare mags behind the hook.

 

Rob. (Ex Buccaneer Armourer).

[sniperUK]

14 minutes ago, WV908 said:

 

Does anyone have any reference photos for the differences between the two types of arrestor hook bay please? 

 

Cheers,

 WV908

XV361, rear of housing.

 

51202700848_e29769d6e3_b by Tony Osborne, on Flickr

 

51203564460_e365ac97e8_b by Tony Osborne, on Flickr

 

51203564460_e365ac97e8_b by Tony Osborne, on Flickr

 

51203564360_b9007833b9_b by Tony Osborne, on Flickr

 

Airfix 1/72 "C"

 

2022-08-08_06-08-25 by Tony Osborne, on Flickr

 

Airfix 1/72 "B"

 

2022-08-08_06-07-55 by Tony Osborne, on Flickr

[wadeocu]

37 minutes ago, sniperUK said:

XV361, rear of housing.

 

51203564460_e365ac97e8_b by Tony Osborne, on Flickr

 

 

This was a late 80s/90s mod.  Early 70s jets would not have had this feature.

[WV908]

Thanks for the replies and info everyone - so I'll be ok to use the arrestor hook bay as supplied for XW527 as delivered to 15 sqn. 

 

Thankfully the supplied slipper tanks appear to be the correct type for my build too.

 

Cheers,

  WV908