1/48 Buccaneer S.2B Build Review

[Ratch]

I had incorrectly painted the canopy seals black and went over them with Humbrol 121. I had some more detail painting to do before I could return to step 53 and fit the pitot tube. 

The bombs are provided with either pylons for wing-mounting, or cleats for mounting inside the bomb bay. I used the cleats and have the load visible in the open bomb bay on this build. There are several parts that I need to add to the detail. There are five lengths of hose/cable fitted inside. In a similar manner two thick trunkings can be added to the main gear bays. 

I added the load to bomb bay. 

Next, I returned to step 63 and secured the engine hatch.

Then I started on the undercarriage.

[Ratch]

The landing gear was next to be assembled. Steps 110 to 125 address this. The wheels are all moulded with a flat spot to simulate weighting. The wheels are shown as not glued in place; this may help get the flat spot on the bottom consistently. The fit of the main struts is very tight and give a pinch-toed appearance, which doesn’t look right to me. I cannot see how to het them in line without surgery, which I am reluctant to do. 

As the long-range tanks were an afterthought, I had to remove the little locating lugs because they didn’t like up with the holes I drilled for the pylons. They were glued flush on the wings. F.O.D. guards were fitted to the intakes and exhausts and the boarding ladders were fixed.

Drawing to the close of the build, I now airbrushed my usual varnish of matt with a drop of Klear, that I think just takes the edge off a dead flat finish. 

I removed the remainder of the masking. The canopy can be posed open or closed and I chose to have this one open. With this done I could add the navigation lights.

Conclusion

This is my second build of this kit, the previous one being the Royal Navy variant. The detail remains excellent, and the engineering is cleverly done. The only awkward thing for me was the fitting of the main undercarriage. It does make a delightful model that I can certainly recommended.

[Ratch]

Just for comparison, here she is with the 1/72 Buccaneer.

This time with the A12012 S2.D

[Ratch]

XW544 was an S2.B delivered to the Royal Air Force in 1972 and entered service with 15 Squadron at RAF Laarbruch. 

Here she is at Luqa, 23rd May 1975.

XW544 later moved to 16 Squadron in 1979, before returning to 15 Squadron in 1982. She spent many hours in the hangars due to fuel leaks and in only after a decade of flying, was withdrawn from service on 4 July 1983 into RAF Shawbury with 2227:10 hours of flight logged. The airframe was then placed into storage with its engines replaced with scrap ones, various other instruments were also removed to help keep the rest of the fleet flying.

In 1984, XW544 was moved to No.2 School of Technical Training at RAF Cosford and gained the maintenance number 8857M. During its time at the SoTT, XW544 camouflage green was repainted, and 16 Squadron markings were readded. It also obtained a refuelling probe which it never flew or retired with. XW544 was seen at the RAF Cosford airshow in the 1990s alongside Buccaneer XW547 (now at Hendon).

[Ratch]

Nose undercarriage corrected.

[Dominic Thomas]

It’s a great kit. Thank you for showing what’s possible with the build.

[Ratch]

Thanks for your feedback Dominic, it certainly is an impressive kit with plenty of options.

[paul71]

nice build again ratch, it does look like a big kit at the side of the 1:72 scale not sure id have the room for it.