Buccaneer S.2B (A12014) In-box Review

[Ratch]

Royal Air Force Buccaneers first saw combat during the 1990-91 Gulf War (Operation ‘Granby’), 22 years after entering service. Although the Buccaneer was seen in 1969 as an interim type pending the development of the Panavia Tornado, the last examples were not retired until March 1994.

Designed by Blackburn Aircraft (later Hawker Siddeley Aviation) to a naval requirement for a carrier-based, low-level maritime strike aircraft, the Buccaneer S1 entered service with the Fleet Air Arm in 1962.

Attempts to interest the Royal Air Force in the type as a replacement for the Canberra bomber were unsuccessful. However, following the termination of its intended replacement, the American F111, the Buccaneer S2 variant was ordered in July 1968. 108 Buccaneers entered RAF service. Forty-six were new aircraft; the balance came from the Fleet Air Arm, as aircraft carriers were phased out in the 1970s.

From 1972 two squadrons of Buccaneers served in RAF Germany until replaced by Tornados in 1984. Maritime strike/attack and reconnaissance then became the aircraft’s primary role, along with the secondary task of carrying laser designator equipment for precision attacks. Twelve Buccaneers were deployed at short notice to the Gulf during Operation ‘Granby’ to designate targets for Royal Air Force Tornados and Jaguars.

In-box Review:

This is a variant of the 2022, A12012 1/48 scale kit. For comparison, the In-Box Review of the A12012 is here, and the Build Review is here.

Dimensions are 402mm x 279mm. Parts count is 320 pieces. Skill Level is 4. 4 Flying Hours are printed on the box.

Moulded on eight runners, seven in grey plastic and one transparent. These are the same as A12012 except that runner E in that kit is replaced by runner F in this S.2B. 

Runner A

Runner B

Runner C

Runner D

Runner F

Runner G

Runner H

Runner I

Detail quality is exquisite. Most of the original review still stands up, so I’ll try not to repeat things and look at the new options in this box. The contoured box that fits inside the nose to hold 15g of weight for the grounded pose, the option to open the port engine bay, pilot figures, boarding ladders, plus the set of FOD guards for the intakes and exhausts all remain. Weapons loads are as follows:

XW527/527 can be armed with four Sea Eagle missiles.

XW544 may have four 1,000lb bombs.

XV352 would be carrying slipper tanks.

XW547/R should be loaded with a Sidewinder missile, a 1,000lb Paveway II Laser Guided Bomb, AN/ALQ 23E Pave Spike, and AN/ALQ 101.

The country of manufacture is India.

Instructions are printed in a 38-page, A4 booklet with 5 preliminary pages, detailing variations and internal decal placements, 

159 assembly stages, 

and four illustrations detailing stencil placements for each variant.

An additional two A3 sheets illustrate paint colours and decal placements.

 

Decals are by Cartograf, ensuring good registration, sharpness, density of colour, and unobtrusive carrier film.

 

The marking options are:

(A) XW527/527, No. 12 Squadron, RAF Lossiemouth, Scotland, 1993.

 

(B) XW544, No. 15 Squadron, RAF Laarbruch Germany, 1971.

 

© XV352, No. 208 Squadron, Op Red Flag, 1977.

 

(D) XW547/R, Guinness Girl/Pauline, Operation Granby/Desert Storm, Muharraq Airport, Bahrain, 1991.

 

Paints advised:

2 Gloss Emerald

11 Metallic Silver

19 Gloss Bright Red

24 Matt Trainer Yellow

26 Matt Khaki

29 Matt Dark Earth

33 Matt Black

34 Matt White

53 Metallic Gunmetal

61 Matt Flesh

85 Satin Coal Black

103 Matt Cream

118 Matt US Tan

121 Matt Pale Stone

127 Satin US Ghost Grey

128 Satin US Compass Grey

130 Satin White

150 Matt Forest Green

153 Matt Insignia Red

154 Matt Insignia Yellow

155 Matt Olive Drab

159 Matt Khaki Drab

163 Satin Dark Green

164 Satin Dark Sea Grey

165 Satin Medium Sea Grey

166 Satin Light Aircraft Grey

230 Matt PRU Blue

These are not included in the kit. RRP £72.49.