Buccaneer flies again in Cape Town!

[Snapshot]

Just wanted to share this with you all!
On 23 Feb the Buccaneer flew again on a 55 min test flight and performed as anyone would expect! Perfectly!
Since then, two aircrew have completed their check rides by, I believe the the only current Bucc-qualified Designated Flight Examiner!

I took this early on the 16th March on a poor weather day in the Western Cape during one of the check rides! Doesn't she look great!
Apologies for only getting 3/4 of her, I had a text with 4 mins notice and this was taken outside the front door within a few seconds of getting the lens on the camera :}
Hearing the Speys again was a pure treat

Cheers
AB

http://www.avcollect.com/southafrica/aviation/MBH16 march2012a.jpg

[NutLoose]

Excellent news, are they staying put? What about the frightnings?

[ShyTorque]

Aah, that's really good to read. One of my most favourite aircraft to watch and hear.

Even though a particularly good flypast by one of them in the late 70s got Graduation Flypasts banned from RAF Linton-on-Ouse just before my own graduation parade. ;)

Chief Instructor looked across his first floor office and all he saw was a plan view of the centre section of a Bucc and the top of two helmets going past at high speed; it had almost 90 degrees of bank on at the time. This was followed by his very surprised PA, who had his back to the window as the noise hit them, throwing the mid morning coffee and biscuit tray over the CI. :ok:

[Snapshot]

NL I think the days of the Lightning are over unfortunately? After Dave Stock was killed just over 2 years ago, the thumbscrews have been tightened considerably! I do not know enough to comment any further so I could be wrong? Also I understand the Buccaneer is now registered privately, no more commercial flights.

ST What a great story! So similar to many I have heard before! But NEVER a bored moment reading such things! Just awesome!

Cheers
AB

[Tableview]

18th March 1967 : Torrey Canyon runs aground off the coast of Cornwall.

28th. March 1967 : RAF Buccaneers from Lossiemouth bomb the remains of the vessel and oil slick to try to limit the damage caused by the oil spill.

http://www.faaba.co.uk/FAABA/Images/Torrey_Canyon.jpg

[Bing]

So is this the plan for when the F-35 programme slips right again?

[PhilipG]

If it is the plan it is good news for the factory at Brough that used to make them, BAE are shutting it down.....

[NutLoose]

And lets not forget this

The Buccaneer Aviation Group will be holding a rollout event on march 24th to include taxi runs by XW544 in her fresh new paint scheme and XX894 (serviceability allowing) plus a unique chance to photograph all 4 Buccaneers together.

The aircraft will be run, lit up and posed differently throughout the event to cater to all tastes.

Hot food and drinks will also be available.

Gates open at 2pm and admission is £10 per person with the event closing around 7.30 depending on light.

Places are limited to 250 and if you would like to book a place please email Andy at [email protected] ([email protected])

Please come along and help us keep these wonderful aircraft alive!

Cheers

Ollie

Buccaneer Aviation Group Rollout Event, Bruntingthorpe - Key Publishing Ltd Aviation Forums (http://forum.keypublishing.com/showthread.php?t=114582)


The plan for the day has been decided, there are still some tickets available.

1330-1400pm gates open a bit earlier in case of traffic needs
14.15-14.30 safety and plan brief.
14.40 544 arrives, does a small display in front of the crowd in various configs.
15.10-16.30 544 and 894 moved to suit the various needs and posed.
900 next to 889
17.00-17.45 4 ship Bucc line up along the embankment (lighting is available)
18.00 - 18.30 dusk pairs taxi for 894 and 544
18.30 - close (approx 19.30) dusk photo oportunity (lighting available)
of all four aircraft together.

[hurn]

So is this the plan for when the F-35 programme slips right again?No need. We've already got an airworthy Sea Vixen. :}


Good news about the Bucc though. Would love to see it over here.

[ACW599]

>Good news about the Bucc though. Would love to see it over here.<

What's the current situation with HHA's Buccaneer? There doesn't seem to be any current information on their web site.

[diginagain]

28th. March 1967 : RAF Buccaneers from Lossiemouth bomb the remains of the vessel and oil slick to try to limit the damage caused by the oil spill.
A small point of order, but at that time the aircraft was in service with the FAA.

[foldingwings]

I get regular updates from my contacts at Thunder City (flew with them 4 years ago!).

This was the first that announced:

After a long trek through the minefield of regulation, Thunder City managed to secure a permit to fly XW 987 (ZU-BCR) in the private category.

Mike Beachy Head and I flew her on a test-flight Thursday 23 February. It was a flawless fifty-five minute sortie - a fine tribute to the engineers who worked hard to prepare for flight.

It felt almost surreal, with the ADD occasionally punctuating the dream with reality.

We won't be doing commercial flights any more, but the mighty Buccaneer will continue gracing the Cape skies - as often as the pocket allows.

Foldie:D

[BBadanov]

Foldie,

That's great news that a Bucc will keep airborne. :D

Did I tell you I knew the Scottish nav fellow who was the last Brit to fly in a Bucc?
His initials were DH - but not by any stretch of the imagination did that stand for "direct hit". :rolleyes:

BBad

[The Helpful Stacker]

A small point of order, but at that time the aircraft was in service with the FAA.

Indeed. They also flew from what the WAFU would have called HMS Fulmar.

[Tableview]

I think I saw a Buccaneer about half an hour ago (1200 SAST), as I was walking across Rondebosch Common. It approached from the south, headed west towards Devil's Peak, and then back overhead tracking east towards the airport. What a beautiful sight and sound on this sunny day!

Not 100% sure if it was a Buccaneer but the right shape, high tailplane, so not the Hunter. Any ideas?

[bubblesuk]

It would be, I know the chap in the back:)

[Snapshot]

Hi Tableview,
yes it was the Buccaneer, just had it confirmed by Mr P
Apparently going back up again soon so keep eyes up!
Cant wait to get back to SA, this UK weather is making me gatvol
AB

[Rhino power]

Where does it say its the same company operating it? I thought I read its now privately registered?

-RP

[groundfloor]

What company, entity, organization, person can safely maintain and fly a buc? It's out of service! There are no spares being produced to replace those that are time expired, who is looking after the mountain of books, the configuration management etc etc etc. want to fly it, base it in a Desert away from human habitation. Is it Possible Safe and Legal to fly it. Its possible and been made legal but safe?

[gsa]

What company, entity, organization, person can safely maintain and fly a buc? It's out of service! There are no spares being produced to replace those that are time expired, who is looking after the mountain of books, the configuration management etc etc etc. want to fly it, base it in a Desert away from human habitation. Is it Possible Safe and Legal to fly it. Its possible and been made legal but safe?

One similar to the one operating the Vulcan in the UK, or the Hunters, Vampires, JPs even the Sea Vixen.

[groundfloor]

One Canberra, one Lightening. two holes in the ground. Glad to hear there are organizations that apparently can. This crowd palpably cannot.

Would be very interested to know where the engineering and all the other backup for especially the Vulcan comes from. That's a hell of a lot of Aeroplane. BAE perhaps? Where do you find all the people with the right skills? And who is qualified at a regulatory level to oversee ex mil high performance aircraft flying in civvy street.

And all this just down the road from where they were manufactured.

[Fox Four]

groundfloor, you must be terrified when you get up in a morning. Problem no. one, has the kettle been PAT tested......

[Scruffy Fanny]

Good Grief is this the PPrune Military forum or an extension of the girl guides discussion board !! - Hey its a military jet designed to drop bombs and kill people!!! - including the pilot if you screw up. Its only a plane needs fuel and oil- i hate to alarm you people who think breathing is dangerous but 2000 people were killed on UK roads last year thats 30 odd a day but do you stop driving ?

[Blacksheep]

Wussers! I'm a Continuing Airworthiness Management specialist, by profession but I'd be willing to give up body parts for a trip in it. :)

[bubblesuk]

It's the same outfitt operating it as before except privately rather than commercially. I wouldn't go up in it and I worship at the alter of the mighty Buccaneer.

[Dr Jekyll]

2000 people were killed on UK roads last year thats 30 odd a day

:confused:

[Fox3WheresMyBanana]

4 out of 3 people admit to being poor at fractions

[Scruffy Fanny]

Sorry that's 5.47 people killed every day

[millerscourt]

More like division than fractions I would have thought.:D


2000 divided by 365 = 5.48 in leap year 5.46 per day:*


Just trying to work out 4 out of 3 people:confused:

[Sir George Cayley]

When Vulcan crew set off East they knew that, if it was for real, there would be no reason to come home as home, families etc no longer existed.

That does deserve respect.

SGC