Go Back  PPRuNe Forums > Aircrew Forums > Military Aviation
Reload this Page >

Buccaneer flies again in Cape Town!

Wikiposts
Search
Military Aviation A forum for the professionals who fly military hardware. Also for the backroom boys and girls who support the flying and maintain the equipment, and without whom nothing would ever leave the ground. All armies, navies and air forces of the world equally welcome here.

Buccaneer flies again in Cape Town!

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 18th Mar 2012, 22:16
  #1 (permalink)  
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Wherever the nearest braai is?
Posts: 220
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Buccaneer flies again in Cape Town!

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

Snapshot is offline  
Old 18th Mar 2012, 22:37
  #2 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Hanging off the end of a thread
Posts: 32,974
Received 2,881 Likes on 1,231 Posts
Excellent news, are they staying put? What about the frightnings?
NutLoose is online now  
Old 18th Mar 2012, 22:45
  #3 (permalink)  

Avoid imitations
 
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Wandering the FIR and cyberspace often at highly unsociable times
Posts: 14,573
Received 422 Likes on 222 Posts
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.
ShyTorque is online now  
Old 18th Mar 2012, 22:52
  #4 (permalink)  
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Wherever the nearest braai is?
Posts: 220
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
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
Snapshot is offline  
Old 19th Mar 2012, 08:56
  #5 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Cape Town / UK / Europe
Posts: 728
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
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.

Tableview is offline  
Old 19th Mar 2012, 10:32
  #6 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: UK
Posts: 343
Received 9 Likes on 6 Posts
So is this the plan for when the F-35 programme slips right again?
Bing is offline  
Old 19th Mar 2012, 11:02
  #7 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Sussex
Age: 66
Posts: 371
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
If it is the plan it is good news for the factory at Brough that used to make them, BAE are shutting it down.....
PhilipG is offline  
Old 19th Mar 2012, 12:07
  #8 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Hanging off the end of a thread
Posts: 32,974
Received 2,881 Likes on 1,231 Posts
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]

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

Cheers

Ollie
Buccaneer Aviation Group Rollout Event, Bruntingthorpe - Key Publishing Ltd Aviation Forums

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.
NutLoose is online now  
Old 19th Mar 2012, 12:07
  #9 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: South
Posts: 257
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
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.
hurn is offline  
Old 19th Mar 2012, 12:58
  #10 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: EGOS Field 24
Posts: 1,114
Received 4 Likes on 3 Posts
>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.
ACW599 is online now  
Old 19th Mar 2012, 19:04
  #11 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Kammbronn
Posts: 2,122
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
Originally Posted by Tableview
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.
diginagain is offline  
Old 20th Mar 2012, 06:46
  #12 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: NOTTINGHAM
Posts: 758
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
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
foldingwings is offline  
Old 20th Mar 2012, 06:53
  #13 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Land of Oz
Posts: 564
Received 9 Likes on 5 Posts
Foldie,

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

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".

BBad
BBadanov is offline  
Old 20th Mar 2012, 14:15
  #14 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Temporarily missing from the Joe Louis Arena
Posts: 2,131
Received 27 Likes on 16 Posts
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.
The Helpful Stacker is offline  
Old 1st Nov 2012, 10:24
  #15 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Cape Town / UK / Europe
Posts: 728
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
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?
Tableview is offline  
Old 1st Nov 2012, 10:50
  #16 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Dunno, the sat nav is busted.
Age: 48
Posts: 128
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
It would be, I know the chap in the back
bubblesuk is offline  
Old 1st Nov 2012, 12:31
  #17 (permalink)  
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Wherever the nearest braai is?
Posts: 220
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Bananajet

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
Snapshot is offline  
Old 2nd Nov 2012, 00:40
  #18 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Leicestershire, England
Posts: 1,170
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Where does it say its the same company operating it? I thought I read its now privately registered?

-RP
Rhino power is offline  
Old 2nd Nov 2012, 07:55
  #19 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Up front
Posts: 144
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
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?
groundfloor is offline  
Old 2nd Nov 2012, 08:01
  #20 (permalink)  
gsa
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Wensleydale.
Posts: 127
Received 9 Likes on 4 Posts
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.
gsa is offline  


Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.