A little aside for you. dingbat ---

The lead navigator in the film had lost one of his eyes as a result of a car accident when he was a QFI at RAF Cranwell - lost his pilot category, and became a nav. Sometimes the sightless eye would leak a little, and he would wear an eyepatch (not the nuclear issue!) to contain the offending fluid. During the filming of the scenes in Gibraltar, including the one where he and his pilot were de-briefing the groundcrew (the excellent Sqn WO, Mr Milner) over the engine fire incident, the eyepatch was worn - much to the delight of the director, Hugh Hudson. The film was duly completed, and all and sundry attended the pre-release viewing at MoD; whereupon DPR (RAF)'s civilian recruitment advisors blew an almighty fuse, claiming that the navigator's appearance would be detrimental to their cause. Plonkers!!

And so all repaired to an outbuilding on Honington airfield, where the crew were doused from a watering can to create the necessary sweat-effect, and the sequences were re-shot. Still, it got everyone (excluding the plonkers) another boozy nosh in Soho, courtesy of the producer. Happiness!

Lead Navigator . . . .
 

I was an abo nav stude at Finningley when P*** L******* came through on our course. A nicer chap you couldn't have met, and not a bad Nav either. I had a lot of sympathy for him due to the fact that my father had lost an eye in North Africa flying Spits with 72 Sqn. He had the same problem with weepy eye. I didn't get to introduce them to each other at the Graduation, would have made an interesting sight!

P*** had an interesting OCU, early on telling the staff that his abo pilot would not make it through the course. Told to wind his neck in. Two trips from the end of the course, pilot gets chopped. Ho hum. :hmm: I think those were the days when 237 was not the place it became in later years.

johnfairr,

Careful, you'll set BEAgle off ---

Vangelis
 

I'm surprised it hasn't been mentioned, but the very atmospheric sci-fi film ' Blade Runner ' used Vangelis' music; also featured VTOL cars !

If purchasing a copy whatever you do avoid the ' Directors' Cut,' the original has the Raymond Chandler / Robert Mitchum-esque narrative.

The music could not be more appropriate.

Foldie, yep, respect.

Not any more, jindabyne - 'twould be superfluous.

Anyway, an excellent film it was indeed. Was it all really more than 30 years ago....:eek:

And respect to the likes of you and foldie!

Buccaneer DVD Available
 

In my capacity as a committee member of the Buccaneer Aircrew Association (BAA), I have in my possession about 25 copies (from an original stock of 600) of a double DVD Box Set of Buccaneer movies, which includes the above mentioned film in its entirety. These DVDs were professionally produced last year as a private project to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the First Flight of the Buccaneer on 30 April 1958 and come with professionally prepared artwork in a double DVD case. I have been given approval by the BAA committee to make these available on a ‘first-come first-served basis’ to anybody on this forum who would like one as long as they are prepared to cover P&P/admin costs plus a small donation that the BAA Treasurer will forward to Help for Heroes:D.

DVD 1 consists of amateur movie clips compiled from converted Super 8mm film taken from the cockpit onboard HMS Hermes and HMS Ark Royal, and on Exercise RED FLAG/MAPLE FLAG by Buccaneer aircrew. There is also footage shot by the aircrew of 24 (SAAF) Squadron members as well as Buccaneer Strike Sight and Pavespike camera footage from Op GRANBY.

DVD 2 consists of 5 documentaries/films about the Buccaneer and the crews who flew it.

If you are interested in possessing one of these box sets then please PM me and I will provide all the necessary details to allow you to secure this limited edition souvenir of the Last (and Best) British Bomber:}.

On the assumption that you eventually pay the required costs of P&P etc, I will adopt a strict queuing system by receipt of your PM to ensure fair play for all.

Foldie

I have often wondered if the Pulsator video I watched in Ops at Akrotiri was a figment of my imagination. Ditto the 'Oops. Isn't this a One Way Street?' ic banter. I subsequently had some good chats with Mike Heath (very sadly deceased) about that det.

Is there a downloadable version of this anywhere???

Any mention of the green camera carrying Buccaneers at West Freugh ?

As an aerial photographer myself I can say the photo' dept' there was excellent, but they got caught out one day when taking shots of one of the Buccaneers from the Andover...

All the upper surfaces ( remember it was a tall, brute of an aircraft ) were covered in white spots, courtesy of the hangar Jackdaws...

The Staish' was not at all impressed !

Go on, give it a go texet, good cause and all that -----

Buccaneer Dvd
 

Folks,

Re: My post at #48.

Some people have been asking me if the available DVDs are only for Bucc Mates. The aircrew Bucc Mates have all got a copy already if they are members of the BAA, so this is open season for anybody who would like one of the remaining sets:ok:.

All those who have bid already are on the list and will be contacted once I get to a position where I know exactly how many have been asked for or number ordered matches those available.

There are plenty left at present so if you would like one bid now!

Foldie (aka Father Christmas)

DamianF

That's unfair:{, you'll have to show yourself now!!!!!

Foldie

Damian

Disport Closed if I were you! Beware canny Scottish navigators ----

Shiny Twelve's Anti shipping Buccaneer games !
 

Terrific to see that. Unless I'm very much mistaken, one of the pilots in that clip is my old flatmate from Aberdeen University days, Andy Young.

Anyone know where he is now?

Buccaneer DVD set
 

Hello Foldie,
Please may I register my deep rooted desire to obtain a set of the DVDs.

I'm a long time admirer of our last true bomber, the finest heavy metal by far.

My favourite recollections of them are....
1. Late 70's: Beating up th Boulmer CRc at ultra low level, so much more impressive than the colonial cousins in their swing wing wonders.
2. Standing on a hill top near Spadeadam and watching one fly down the valley below me.
3. Flying the flag through Beirut from Akrotiri on Op Pulsator.
4. Doing the business in GW1.

I bought the 'Boys from Bahrain' and, if memory serves, donated to RAFA/Legion ore evn both?

Name your price.
Kindest regards from a civvie pilot who has the utmost respect for a fine machine flown by the best low level operators in Christendom :ok:

biscuit74,

Yes. PM me with your e-mail address and I will get him to contact you.

Foldie

Bucc Dvd
 

Folks,

It's 0734A and there are only 6 left! However, keep bidding as any eventual payment defaulters:rolleyes: will open the reserve list.

Foldie:cool:

Bucc DVD's
 

When will you e-mail those successful in their application ??

Lower Hangar,

See my Post 53 but relax - you were first to bid:D!

Foldie

Buc'
 

So, internal weapon carriage - apart from the last versions carrying 4 Sea Eagles; ( more likely 1 0r 2 + fuel ) ring any bells re. F-35 etc, far more effecitive than Tornado & likely to give a Super Etendard a run for its' money ?

Probably the best thing Wart On came up with, though the cockpits were described as ' steam driven slums '.

Shoulda put Tonka avionics in new build Buccs.
World beater or what?

Doc C

Actually, nowt to do with Warton! Designed and built by Blackburns at Brough and test flown from Holme on Spalding Moor (having been dragged there through the back roads of East Yorkshire).

Cockpits were described as ergonomic slums in the 13 years and 2500hrs I was flying 'em! The offset seating arrangement was a brilliant move to give a good view forward for the GIB and assist with crew cooperation (you could actually hit the pilot on the back of his helmet with a ruler if he didn't do as he was told!).

Ahar - great days!

Foldie

Foldingwings - did my e-mail about the DVD get to you yesterday?

Cheers.

b74

Yup! See PM.

Foldie

BUCC DVDs - ALL SPOKEN FOR!
 

Folks,

Assuming that I receive the appropriate donations from everybody who has bid for one of the Buccaneer 50th Anniversary DVD Box Sets I regret to inform you that all 29 have now been bid for. However, if you wish to be placed on a reserve list, that could be created by donation defaulters:rolleyes:, then please PM me and I will advise you if or when you win by default.

For those who have successfully bid:ok: then standby for further information tomorrow.

Foldie

Buccaneer Songbook
 

Whilst I am on a roll, if anybody is interested in a copy of The Buccaneer Songbook that was published last year also for the 50th Anniversary of the First Flight of the Buccaneer then please PM me. Same rules apply as Post 48.

Details and full description here:

The Buccaneer Songbook: An Anthology of Drinking Songs

Foldie

C'mon BEags,

A Buccaneer DVD andthe much acclaimed songbook! Good barbie entertainment for next year, and a video for those winter dinner parties. Get along, foldie's saving one of each for you. And fifty quid to Help for Heros would be just the job!

I'm led to believe that the standard stowage for the internal bay was 4 X 1,000lb HEMC. Pretty much at all times.

Not strictly true! 2xWE177s was a standard fit but I much preferred 2 aircrew holdalls and a sunny destination outbound and 2 aircrew holdalls plus 19 demijohns of Kokinelli inbound:D. Because the bomb door rotated open rather than clamshells, the demijohns were placed upside down on the open door and their stoppers sealed with bodge tape. That way, if a stopper did pop at 36,000ft, the demijohns were upright and you didn't lose the contents of your demijohn as long as you checked them by entering the bomb bay by its inspection panel (well, before they fitted the bomb bay door tank that is) before rotating it on arrival back at base.

Crates of oranges and lemons from Akrotiri and dozens of boxes of wet fish and King Prawns from Lossie, Kinloss or Macrihanish were routinely shipped to the squadrons in Germany.

Foldie

FW, Hi

That way, if a stopper did pop at 36,000ft, the demijohns were upright and you didn't lose the contents of your demijohn

36000 ft in a Bucc???:}

Bucc bomb bay uses......
 

Foldie

Do you remember the story of the pilot posted from Laarbruch (XV Sqn?) to Lossie and decided to use a landaway at Lossie to ferry much of his kit prior to posting? Picture bomb bay loaded with stereo, record collection, cameras, mess kit, and various uniforms, so leaving said pilot to travel light to subsequent posting..........

Now picture said ac, 480 kts at LL over N. Sea when up on the radar appears a solitary Leander-class frigate just begging to be attacked! Hereafter SOP's takeover and into attack mode goes the crew which includes rotating the bomb bay whereupon miscellaneous matelots find themselves "bombed" by some rather strange looking bombs.

Much embarrassment all round and no insurance cover for the loss of "baggage" in transit!:( Must have happened in mid 1979.......

MB

That happened regularly. As OC Accts at Honington at the time I had a regular stream of 12/208/237 OCU aircrew to my office asking how they could claim for lost/bombed baggage. :}

Brough / Wart On
 

Anything from Whippet-bothering territory is ' Wart on ' in BAe terms;

Doctor Cruces, I understand the trial Tornado avionics were first tried in Buccaneers, leading more than one crew to ask " why bother with the Tornado airframe ? "

Not a Bucc man, but just by accident caught the hour-long Buccaneer programme on Movies for Men (Sky ch324) - it is bound to be repeated- everything else is on that channel

Max cruise alt 39,000 ft - been there, done it and got the t-shirt!:}:}:}:}

Tornado GR1 was struggling in the mid 20s - been there, done it and got the t-shirt!:yuk::yuk::yuk::yuk:

Foldie

Bucc Dvd
 

I have sent out 29 PMs to the lucky bidders for the Bucc DVD Box-sets. If you don't receive it please let me know ASAP.

Foldie:ok:

I was travelling for most of Sunday, Monday and today. Although I was able to access PPRuNe on the private yacht....OK, Maerske Delft from Dover-Dunkerque, I couldn't send anything as their web-nanny wouldn't allow it.

So, 500 km later I imagined I was too late....:{

But Foldie, if you do have a copy of the DVD available, I'd willingly cough another donation to H-for-H - I'm already a contributor, but every little helps them.

PM if poss? Purrleezy please?

BEagle,

Tooooooooo Late! But I will put you on the reserve list.

Foldie:ok:

DVD
 

Got my PM thanks, Foldie, will send the dosh termorrer.