Buccaneer Flying Qualities
Thread Starter
Buccaneer Flying Qualities
I'm interested in pilot comments expanding on the flying qualities of the mighty Buccaneer.
I've just watched the Dave Southwood interview on YouTube about his experiences, and he described the flying qualities in 3 distinct areas;
The first 2 models were lost in early flight test, but as the saying goes, 3rd time's a charm and so far it has 45 flights on it.
The reason I ask about pilot comments from the full-scale Buccaneer is that my model version also has some very unique handling characteristics in the landing pattern, and I am interested to know if this is just a trait of this model, or something that has carried over from the full-scale.
In particular, when the flaps and ailerons are drooped for landing, the model exhibits a very strong tendency to roll wings level when centering the stick and has the need to hold in significant proverse aileron all the way through the turn. This has taken some effort to balance control throws and to learn the characteristic as it was so unusual compared to everything else I've flown.
Also, with the flaperons drooped, the model validated the need for the tailplane flaps to counteract the nose-down pitching moment from the flaperons, as I would run out of nose up elevator authority with the tailplane flaps at neutral.
With half speedbrake, full droop and about half power, it is very precise to fly on final approach, using power to control sink rake.
A few pictures of my model (not yet finished). If you squint I think you can tell it approximates a Buccaneer.
I've just watched the Dave Southwood interview on YouTube about his experiences, and he described the flying qualities in 3 distinct areas;
- 300-550KCAS - probably the best aircraft for flying low, delightful to fly.
- Above 550KCAS - directionally not that easy - would yaw off, fin too short.
- Landing Pattern - probably the worst handling characteristics of anything he's flown.
The first 2 models were lost in early flight test, but as the saying goes, 3rd time's a charm and so far it has 45 flights on it.
The reason I ask about pilot comments from the full-scale Buccaneer is that my model version also has some very unique handling characteristics in the landing pattern, and I am interested to know if this is just a trait of this model, or something that has carried over from the full-scale.
In particular, when the flaps and ailerons are drooped for landing, the model exhibits a very strong tendency to roll wings level when centering the stick and has the need to hold in significant proverse aileron all the way through the turn. This has taken some effort to balance control throws and to learn the characteristic as it was so unusual compared to everything else I've flown.
Also, with the flaperons drooped, the model validated the need for the tailplane flaps to counteract the nose-down pitching moment from the flaperons, as I would run out of nose up elevator authority with the tailplane flaps at neutral.
With half speedbrake, full droop and about half power, it is very precise to fly on final approach, using power to control sink rake.
A few pictures of my model (not yet finished). If you squint I think you can tell it approximates a Buccaneer.
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Top Answer
12th Sep 2023, 01:15
Thread Starter
Thanks for all the comments.
Photo of me and the model for size reference.
A video shot at a recent fly-in at Houston in June. Not a long sequence for the Buccaneer, but it gives an idea.
For those interested in it's construction, follow the link below for a build thread.
RCUniverse - Buccaneer Build Thread
It was completely own-designed and scratch built from some 3-view plans, a 3D scan of a plastic model, lots of photos, the AP Maintenance manual, and a good dose of TLAR (That Looks About Right).
ORAC's links to BEagles comments were really helpful in understanding the full scale characteristics - I think if I had read those before I started, I would have chosen something more straightforward. I can confirm this particular comment in the landing pattern "At this stage the ac is very unstable in all planes and must be flown very carefully indeed." also applies to this model. It has a 3-axis rate gyro working at maximum gain settings to make it manageable.
The addition of all the maintenance stencil markings and a detailed cockpit and crew is next up.
XW547 was chosen as it was one of the few Buccaneers to retain the extended wingtips throughout it's life. It was on XII Sqn books on and off between 1974 and 1985 and again from May 1986 until disposal in 1993. It was "Guinness Girl/ Pauline/ The MacAllan" during the Gulf War.
Thanks, and let's keep the Buccaneer stories coming.
Photo of me and the model for size reference.
A video shot at a recent fly-in at Houston in June. Not a long sequence for the Buccaneer, but it gives an idea.
For those interested in it's construction, follow the link below for a build thread.
RCUniverse - Buccaneer Build Thread
It was completely own-designed and scratch built from some 3-view plans, a 3D scan of a plastic model, lots of photos, the AP Maintenance manual, and a good dose of TLAR (That Looks About Right).
ORAC's links to BEagles comments were really helpful in understanding the full scale characteristics - I think if I had read those before I started, I would have chosen something more straightforward. I can confirm this particular comment in the landing pattern "At this stage the ac is very unstable in all planes and must be flown very carefully indeed." also applies to this model. It has a 3-axis rate gyro working at maximum gain settings to make it manageable.
The addition of all the maintenance stencil markings and a detailed cockpit and crew is next up.
XW547 was chosen as it was one of the few Buccaneers to retain the extended wingtips throughout it's life. It was on XII Sqn books on and off between 1974 and 1985 and again from May 1986 until disposal in 1993. It was "Guinness Girl/ Pauline/ The MacAllan" during the Gulf War.
Thanks, and let's keep the Buccaneer stories coming.
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A Buccaneer at low level (below about 3000ft) was a delight to control. At 550kts you could look for a gap in unidentified traffic some 10 miles ahead and aim the aircraft for it, knowing you would pass through easily.
When our Bucc S2 arrived, the crews did a large amount of IFR flying on airways to familiarise the navs with it; the airways controllers kept complaining it was too fast because it flew faster than 'standard' airliners (apart from the Trident) and they had to keep vectoring it in order to overtake other traffic at the same level.
When our Bucc S2 arrived, the crews did a large amount of IFR flying on airways to familiarise the navs with it; the airways controllers kept complaining it was too fast because it flew faster than 'standard' airliners (apart from the Trident) and they had to keep vectoring it in order to overtake other traffic at the same level.
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
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Looks fantastic... a video would not go amiss!
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Superb model. It really looks the part, I've enclosed a couple of pics of some of the runners still in the UK. 
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I am not into RC, not a fan of the Bucc…have to tell you though that is one amazing model.
Did you upscale the size from an existing model, did you use plans? Can you tell us about the design process?
I think the pictures belie the size.
Care to post a pic with something of known size as reference? Car or person?
Thanks!
Did you upscale the size from an existing model, did you use plans? Can you tell us about the design process?
I think the pictures belie the size.
Care to post a pic with something of known size as reference? Car or person?
Thanks!
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
And that’s number 3….. 
The first 2 models were lost in early flight test, but as the saying goes, 3rd time's a charm and so far it has 45 flights on it.
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My only (and abiding) memory of the Bucc was when faced by one doing an Exercise airfield attack at Waddo … pointing straight at ATC Local. Those intakes just got bigger and bigger! Did I duck? Not sure!
Off topic but my recollection of the Bucaneer was an encounter near Garstang when doing the gas pipeline survey. I looked left up to the hills in the direction of the Spadeadam training area and all I saw were two great intakes and a nosecone, all too close and at my level. We passed safely.
Superb model, I would also like to see a video. Early memory of Buccs for me was wheels appearing out of a layer of thick black cloud over the Anglesey Golf Clubhouse which were finally revealed to belong to the first of three visitors from Laarbruch somewhere in the short distance to the Valley boundary fence.
I fear you are wrong, it needs repainting in the immortal colour scheme as shown in Nutty's top image.
Or of course '547s current 'desert pink' scheme at Hendon.
Or of course '547s current 'desert pink' scheme at Hendon.