Kemble Bucc to fly on Saturday

[DamienB]

One of the two Buccs at Kemble is due to fly an airtest on Saturday (usual permitting). If all goes well it'll then fly to Warton for further tests before departing for SA <img border="0" title="" alt="[Frown]" src="frown.gif" />

[Negative 'G']

When is it meant to be going into Warton ?. .. .Neg G

[Beeayeate]

A Buc in the sky again, good one! In Rasberry Ripple - but who's counting? Will still be a sight to see. Wonder if the air test will include a check on it's low-flying capability?. .. .Pictures would be good DeeBee - or Snapshot.

[Spugford]

Ididn't think Buccaneer's had CAA clearance to fly in the <img border="0" title="" alt="[Confused]" src="confused.gif" /> UK?

[2 TWU]

I believe the Bucc has temp South African markings and has to be flown out of the UK PDQ after a service at Warton.. .. .As an aside, why does the CAA permit the Sea Vixen (& possibly the Vulcan) to fly but not the Lightning or Bucc as they are apparently too complicated? To my recollection a Vixen is not exactly a simple aircraft so what's the difference?

[Jaap]

Where's your Buccaneers?!. .. .On my Buccanhead <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="biggrin.gif" /> ...

[Jackonicko]

Why a Vixen (or a Canberra) and not a Lightning/Bucc? . .. .Understand it to be related to both handling characteristics and complexity of systems. The objections to the Lightning are self evident (though I don't agree with them) and with the Bucc it centres around the flap blowing, I understand.

[BEagle]

Well fly it unblown then! 15-10-10 for take-off and 45-10-10 for landing!!

[FJJP]

The CAA have taken (rightly IMHO) a hard-nosed stance with regard to large/high performance aircraft. For example, when BAe apprentices refurbished the Vulcan at Woodford and then asked the CAA for a permit to fly it on the civil register, they were turned down on the grounds that the CAA engineers were not involved from the beginning.. .. .The CAA have decided that no big/high performance ac will be given a permit to fly unless they have manufacturers support. This is why the Vulcan at Bruntingthorpe may succeed; the CAA are in on the ground floor. Indeed, the CAA multi test pilot has been there to take part in the taxy demos, and to meet the team and to see what they are doing.. .. .These big jets are not for amateur hands - they are very complex and do need manufacturers support. But you must look at it from the CAA's point of view. They are ones who give the clearance to fly/display - if a display turns to ratsh*t, who are going to be held responsible?. .. .And no, I am not CAA; I am an ex-mil multi pilot who understands what display flying means.

[Snapshot]

Sorry this is a bit of an advert but I've worked on this project for some years and now its nearly finished.. .Those of you that are Banana fans, I'm about to release a Limited Edition by Ronald Wong. .of the An-12 self designated attack in February 1991.. .If you want to know more please click the link below the image.. . http://members.lycos.co.uk/buccaneer/rwong/pirate_webtt.jpg
Click here to see more (http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/andrewbrooks1/av01_buccaneer.htm)
Snapshot

[Beeayeate]

"Why a Vixen (or a Canberra) and not a Lightning/Bucc?". .. .The Canberra is obvious really. With the exception of the PR.9 all Cranberries were, in essence, pretty straight-forward and "simple" machines - no power controls for instance - compared to the Frightning or Bucc. They had their problems true, especially the tailplane actuator in the early days, and they were pretty unforgiving in asymetric, but basically they were not a flying avionics shop - only real danger was freezing yer b0ll0cks at altitude and getting slowly deafer from the twin engine harmonics if you stood in front of them for a lot of the time. . .. .As for the Vixen, must admit to being a bit puzzled over this one as well. . .. .And a Lightning! Well, who's going to let a "private" jet fly in the UK that's faster than anything in the RAF at the moment? <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" />

[Negative 'G']

Well did the Banana fly ? <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="biggrin.gif" /> . .. . Neg G

[pulse1]

I landed at Kemble this afternoon (Sunday)and it did a fastish run down the runway just after we parked. Nice timing. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="smile.gif" />

[DamienB]

Nope, it didn't fly. Saturday got cancelled for weather (and then the weather cleared up - typical). Sunday, the fast taxi was delayed by a dead radio, then was carried out with another radio onboard. Crew reported several problems though - engine bleed, aileron, tailplane all being uncooperative. Therefore flight to Warton cancelled.. .. .Another attempt will be made once they've fixed the snags, at some point in the future. No time soon was the impression I got.

[pulse1]

I don't really know much about it but the anomaly between the Sea Vixen and the Bucc might be explained by the hard work of the late Marcus Edwards. I understood from him that FR Aviation had taken over authority for the design of the Vixen when they were modifying them for use as target drones. Marcus used his persuasive powers (or blackmailed) his old Navy bosses, now at FRA, to continue to act as the design authority. This removed one of the objections by the CAA. . .. .Sadly Marcus died before he achieved his ambition to fly his beloved Vixen again. Still its good to be reminded of my old friend when I see it flying around EGHH in other capable hands. Long may it continue to fly.

[Mowgli]

Still sad that aircraft that make my pulse race just hearing and seeing them have to go overseas. Ther's nothing quite like a lightning display, speed, "burners" and thunder, what an apt name "lightning" is for it. And the Bucc just owned the "down in the weeds" territory. Great examples of the UK's cutting edge technology for the time - probably way ahead of their time. Had a trip in the lightning tub and it was "as advertised". Got back in my machine afterwards and it was like getting in a car with not enough gears - still loved it though. Not saying what it was, not because not proud, but because spies will identify me - recently had a problem with that and Mowgli may have to be renamed.

[Negative 'G']

Hmmmmmm sorry to hear that it did'nt fly,can somebody keep me posted when it is next expected to go to Warton cos I only live down the road and would love to see a brick flying again <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="biggrin.gif" /> . .. . Cheers,. . Neg G

[STANDTO]

Snappers, so you are back!!. .. .Did you get my Lightning pic I emailed to Avcollect? I feel the need, the need for feed (back)!!. .. .Standto

[Negative 'G']

Well, any news on the trip to Warton date ?. .. . Neg G <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="biggrin.gif" />

[flightlineuk]

Delta Jets have announced on their website their intention to have at least a test flight tomorrow (Good Friday), most probably in the early afternoon. It may also depart for Warton later in the day!!!

[Chilli Monster]

Saw the Bucc on the Approach to Lyneham about 1610 this afternoon. (ILS or PAR I presume, it was crossing the M4 at the time). Was it going in there or just an approach before returning to Kemble?. .. .CM

[DamienB]

About bloody time... pity she's leaving for SA after all this...

http://www.jetman.dircon.co.uk/bucc3.jpg

http://www.jetman.dircon.co.uk/bucc4.jpg

[EGTE]

The Bucc looked good making a low pass at Exeter on Saturday afternoon!
:)

[DamienB]

And another one, better late than never...

http://www.thunder-and-lightnings.co.uk/zunip.jpg

[Chris Kebab]

Who were the crew?

[DamienB]

Pilot - Keith Hartley (BAE), nav - Dave Roome (Delta Jets)

[Perky Penguin]

When I was at Kemble for a Gnat reunion in February it was "alleged" that the fact that the Bucc couldn't fly and the Sea Vixen could was something to do with the personal involvement of a CAA big-wig with one of the projects but not with the other. Who you know and where they are in the system can be a big help.

[BEagle]

Trudging back with my shopping today in Witney and I heard the familiar sound of jet engines. But not a '10, DeathStar or C-17. In the distance was a distinctive silhouette - yes, the Bucc was flying again today! Good to see - apparently the guys were dong an IR in her.


......and it's a very brave person who calls Dave Roome a navigator!!

[DamienB]

Well he weren't in the front seat :)

She was indeed airborne again on Saturday. Planned to fly to Warton but the gear wouldn't retract so he pottered around at Brize for a bit before returning to Kemble.

Possibly trying again this weekend.

[Negative 'G']

Whats the latest on the Brick going to Warton ? Any info would be appreciated.

Cheers,
Neg G

[Droopy]

It's booked in to arrive at Warton lunchtime 20th.

[Droopy]

And it did.

[Negative 'G']

Fecking Barsteward...................can you ask them to do it again next week :(

Neg G

p.s Cheers anyway, will it be doing flight tests from there and if so when roughly.

[DamienB]

Departing Kemble... no fly-by this time, dammit!

http://www.thunder-and-lightnings.co.uk/zunip_dep1.jpg

http://www.thunder-and-lightnings.co.uk/zunip_dep2.jpg

http://www.thunder-and-lightnings.co.uk/zunip_dep3.jpg