Blackburn Buccaneer

[upyr1]

I was just lestining to the fighter pilot podcast

https://www.fighterpilotpodcast.com/episodes/125-blackburn-buccaneer/

I know other people have asked for the Buccaneer so I am going to join them. Ideally I would like two of them, one Fleet air arm version with a carrier included and the second an ODS ventage RAF version

[Cdodders]

YES PLEASE

[joey45]

Plus one on this bad boy..

[Northstar98]

+1 for the S.2B, though unfortunately it's much more of a niche aircraft that doesn't really fit in DCS right now (the only map it fits on is the NTTR map for Red Flag).

Plus owing to being British, I'm reasonably confident that getting public information on its RADAR (ARI.5390 Blue Parrot) and RWR (ARI.18228 [Sky Guardian]) is going to be hard to come by, but I would love to be proven wrong.

[sirrah]

Meh... Buccaneer...

Hugging the enemy desert floor at high speed, buddy-lasing for fellow Tornado's...

 

HELL YEAH!! 

[Northstar98]

3 minutes ago, sirrah said:

Meh... Buccaneer...

Hugging the enemy desert floor at high speed, buddy-lasing for fellow Tornado's...

 

HELL YEAH!! 

[upyr1]

10 hours ago, Northstar98 said:

+1 for the S.2B, though unfortunately it's much more of a niche aircraft that doesn't really fit in DCS right now (the only map it fits on is the NTTR map for Red Flag).

Plus owing to being British, I'm reasonably confident that getting public information on its RADAR (ARI.5390 Blue Parrot) and RWR (ARI.18228 [Sky Guardian]) is going to be hard to come by, but I would love to be proven wrong.

We need a Fulda gap map and I think the Naval version might be a good what if for the Falklands 

[Anditsgone_]

19 hours ago, upyr1 said:

I was just lestining to the fighter pilot podcast

https://www.fighterpilotpodcast.com/episodes/125-blackburn-buccaneer/

I know other people have asked for the Buccaneer so I am going to join them. Ideally I would like two of them, one Fleet air arm version with a carrier included and the second an ODS ventage RAF version

Thank you so much!

I'm pretty sure I am wrong (and please do correct me if I am wrong as I don't know much about the conflict) but I think we could usee the Buc to reenact some of the sorties in op Granby.

[upyr1]

5 hours ago, Anditsgone_ said:

Thank you so much!

I'm pretty sure I am wrong (and please do correct me if I am wrong as I don't know much about the conflict) but I think we could usee the Buc to reenact some of the sorties in op Granby.

Yes, I wasn't familar with the term Op Granby but that is the British term of Operation Desert Storm. We just need that section of the gulf. they designated targets for Tornadoes, which is another plane on my RAF wish list. 

Edited November 20, 2021 by upyr1

[Tengah]

Thumping this up for the Banana Jet...  DCS is perfect for this superb aircraft.  Please, ED, Heatblur... Some one?

[Tengah]

I write this post with the utmost respect to ED, Module Creators/Developers, the members, and readers of this forum, I do hope that there is no offense taken, but, the internet is as the internet does... I am sure I will offend or attract the ire of one or two people...  I make no apologies.

A case, or rant whichever way you wish to perceive it, for the H.S. Buccaneer Smk.2B, C and D.

The argument for the viability of a Buccaneer S.2B, C and D module for DCS is a strong one.

• Initially designed for the Royal Navy as a Carrier bourne nuclear strike attack aircraft, then later adopted (begrudgingly) by the Royal Air Force. 
• The RN operated the S2.C variant, the RAF the S2.B, and the South Africans operated the S2.D with RATO packs for high altitude takeoffs.
• Whilst being flown by the RN, she flew from HMS Hermes, Victorious, Eagle, and of course, most famously, from HMS Ark Royal.
• The Bucc was offered to several nation's airforces, including Germany (very strong interest), Argentina, Canada, and several Middle Eastern nations, amongst others.  Alas, we had a rather questionable Prime Minister in power at the time who was very much under the influence of another nation's agenda which contributed greatly towards the lack of export sales. 
• South Africa operated 16 Buccaneers and their usage & feats with this aircraft are well worth a study.
• She was faster (by the book 600+ kts, limited by external stores) at low level (with a FULL war load - cue the retorts from the Tonka community) than the Tornado GR.1 and had a much longer operational range (2000nm without AAR and external fuel tanks). Despite being a nightmare to fly in the circuit, an absolute handful below 300kts the aircraft was an absolute joy to fly.  Please, let us not discuss the single engine handling! O.o  16 tons of brute force and ignorance, despite this she was fast and bloody maneuverable.
• "The Brick" was the first aircraft to record a "no kill" by opposition forces for an entire Red Flag exercise.  Buccaneers at Red Flag, once again, stuff of legend and I would urge anyone remotely interested to read up on 12, 16 and 208 Squadrons exploits during Red Flag deployments.
• "Grandma" finally won her spurs (as far as the Brits go) during Operation Grandby (Desert Storm for all you US guys).  She enjoyed unexpected success as a laser designation (AN/AVQ-23E Pave Spike) aircraft for the RAF Tornado Gr.1 and later dropped her own LGBs, credited with at least two aircraft kills, albeit parked at the time.
• In-flight refueling capable, as well as buddy tanking.
• The scope that this aircraft could bring to DCS in terms of suitability, operations, etc, is enormous.  The cockpit is an ergonomic nightmare akin the Mirage F-1 thus providing a challenge both in terms of flying and operating this great aircraft resulting in a huge sense of accomplishment to the person who bought it as a module and learned to fly it to any level of competence.
• To get ol' Grandma unstuck and airborne off the runway, simple:  Just raise the undercarriage.

The Buccaneer was capable of carrying the heaviest and most varied "war load" (16000lb) of any other British strike attack aircraft of its day.  It had a rotating bomb bay (RAF S2.B's were later modified with a "Belly Bulge" for extra fuel whilst retaining the revolving internal bomb bay which gave her an overweight, pregnant, appearance.  Weaponry included (amongst others):

• ALQ-101-8 ECM Pod
• AIM-9B (up to the mid to late 70's), G, later the 9L
• AN/AVQ-23E Pave Spike Pod
• ASM -N7a Bullpup A missile
• CBLS pods, 4x HES 20lb Practice Bombs
• CPU-123 1000lb (RAF)Paveway II laser-guided bombs
• Flight Refuelling  Mk20C pod (Buddy Tanking)
• Matra/BAE Martel Anti Ship Missile & datalink pod both TV (AJ168) and Anti Radar guided (AS.37)
•  Mk.114 1000lb GP LD and Mk.117 1000lb Chute Retarded HD bombs
• Optional Reconnaissance Pack (crate) comprising 6 F95 cameras and a container consisting of 36 photoflash/flare rounds.  This pack or crate was fitted to the internal bomb bay.
• Wing mounted 400 Gallon (2000ltr) Slipper tanks
• SNEB 115 (Matra) Rocket Pods.  RAF: 2-inch 18-round pod.  RN: 2 inch 32 round pod
• BAe Sea Eagle Anti Shipping missile
• WE.177 A/B/C variant Nuclear bomb.  Parachute retarded. Yield between .5 to 450kt

The nicknames for the Buccaneer include Banana Jet (due to its unique NACA assisted design shape), Brick (due to its solid flying qualities, and it tended to fall like one when an engine failed), Grandma (RAF name, due to her respected age come the 1990's) as well as a few other unmentionables...

An ode to Grandma:

"Give me a Buccaneer, they are British through and through.  The Bananajet, the best we had yet, we are the last of the few!".

So much more could be written here but my old aged arthritis ridden fingers are now sore and my limited brain is now begging for mercy.

This concludes my case for a DCS H.S. (Blackburn)  Buccaneer Module

 

As a final side "semi" rant (please refer to my opening sentence below before continuing further)...

After watching the recent release video of a Tornado Gr.1 etc, for that other (civilian simulator) I will go out on a limb here and risk, perhaps, making myself rather unpopular with this semi-rant of a post... No apologies to anyone.

As a Brit and former owner/operator of a retired (obviously privately owned) Buccaneer S2.B preserved to fast taxi condition, having previously spent a long association (professionally) in and around the Buccaneer & Tornado GR1;  I can unequivocally state that the "The MoD won't release details" comment is ambiguous and not entirely true, it is akin to the very real fact that the US DoD will not release certain information, say nothing of the Russian policy (I say good for them, given their circumstances). 

There is so much, so much information out there, either via the internet, face to face or voice to voice with people who worked with the aircraft.  There are enough airframes available, both in museums and fast taxi conditions, most of whom, I am certain, would be more than willing to assist any would be module creator.

In my humble opinion, this aircraft has a very valid place within DCS, it could/should be brought to DCS, along with the various Lightning & Hunter marks, including the Tornado GR1 (excluding the GR1a and GR4 for all their super secret squirrel updates).  There is more than enough info readily available to the general public that would enable these iconic British aircraft to pass ED's muster.  If there is enough available information to introduce existing frontline operational European aircraft such as the Typhoon, Mirage 2000 and IDS Tornado (almost identical to the GR1) et al...  Well?

Before anyone offers the educated reply: "Well make it yourself!" - If I had the required skills, I would have fielded many "British"  US, and other nations aircraft flying in DCS, unfortunately, I do not, I genuinely hold anyone who can in very high regard and esteem.

One could make the valid argument that financially a British aircraft is not viable, well, I would argue this.  I am not an F-14 fan by any chalk, F-15E, F-5E, Mirage F-1, Mirage 2000, nor am I a particular lover of the F-16, F-18, Mig-21, etc...  I am especially not an F-4 fanbois.  But I own (preordered in the case of the F-4) all these aircraft, purely out of interest, to learn the subject matter and to ultimately enjoy this wonderful simulator.  Somebody said it here on this forum: "It is the only one of its kind we got..." - In my opinion, British aircraft have a lot to offer any DCS pilot from any nation and sales would follow accordingly.

I feel that after 15 years it is a great shame, for a nation that has contributed so much to the aviation industry in all respects, that the UK's accomplishments are so poorly represented in DCS.  Module Developers are missing a great opportunity, especially with such aircraft as the Hawker Hunter.

Having spoken to a couple of 3rd party modders there may be a small number of British aircraft on the horizon as static or AI, this is a great start and I hope their projects come to fruition, I wish them all the very best.  May your God bless ALL of you DCS 3rd party modders!!!

 

P.S.  If anyone should ever consider bringing a Bucc to DCS... Please, please do not model the S.1!  >.<

P.P.S.  If anyone, group or otherwise is considering taking up the challenge of creating a Buccaneer for DCS, I would be more than happy to talk to you and to assist in any way I can, you only need to PM me, I do use Discord.

Edited for a grammatical error, slave to my OCD'ness...!

Edited March 26 by Tengah

[Silver_Dragon]

On 3/25/2024 at 4:05 AM, Tengah said:

Thumping this up for the Banana Jet...  DCS is perfect for this superb aircraft.  Please, ED, Heatblur... Some one?

ED has your plans actualy, and no centred on UK aircrafts. Heatblur has some projects, centred on US Navy / Air Force, but nothing from UK. We need a 3rd Party centred on UK aircrafts.... (And intent making good modules, not the disapear VEAO).

[Tengah]

29 minutes ago, Silver_Dragon said:

ED has your plans actualy, and no centred on UK aircrafts. Heatblur has some projects, centred on US Navy / Air Force, but nothing from UK. We need a 3rd Party centred on UK aircrafts.... (And intent making good modules, not the disapear VEAO).

Excellent comment, thank you for replying.

[Johnny Dioxin]

We would have had one (a dev specialising in British fighters) - they had a British jet performing nicely in DCS as a private venture (I have some screenshots), but were scared off by the behaviour of the community towards other 3rd party developers. A big shame. I did try hard to persuade them, even though I fully understand their reason for not going ahead with a public release.

This is the very first documentary I saw of the Buccaneer, as a 15 year old ATC cadet...

 

Edited March 26 by Johnny Dioxin

[Rudel_chw]

9 minutes ago, Johnny Dioxin said:

but were scared off by the behaviour of the community towards other 3rd party developers.

 

What behaviour? ... if they dont want people anxious about a release date, you can always just tell no one about the new Mod, until it is almost finished, like the developer of the SK60 mod did.

[Tengah]

Rudel, with all due respect there are always a small number of abrupt and overly direct people who intimidate others from sharing their opinions, unfortunately... But as I said in my post, the internet is as the internet does.

Johnny, such a shame, I am so sorry to hear that regarding the DCS "British Jet".  Great old video btw, always good to see a fellow ex Space Cadet.  Are you of the era of the Chippie and  "Jump, jump John!"

Edited March 26 by Tengah

[Rudel_chw]

2 minutes ago, Tengah said:

there are always a small number of abrupt and overly direct people who intimidate others from sharing their opinions

 

I have to agree, but the Ignore facility of this forum is just the tool to avoid having to read those people .. I would have long retired as active member of this Forum if it were not for that tool. Believe it or not, I have currently 13 pages of users on the Ignore list  

 

 

One cant avoid wishing for a better internet, but for now ignoring toxic users is the only way I have found that works.

[Tengah]

1 minute ago, Rudel_chw said:

 

I have to agree, but the Ignore facility of this forum is just the tool to avoid having to read those people .. I would have long retired as active member of this Forum if it were not for that tool. Believe it or not, I have currently 13 pages of users on the Ignore list  

 

 

One cant avoid wishing for a better internet, but for now ignoring toxic users is the only way I have found that works.

A most useful, if not vital function of any forum.

[Qcumber]

Not my favourite plane but yes, would be great to see the Buccaneer, alongside other British planes, such as English Electric Lightning and Jaguar (British/French). 

[Tengah]

2 minutes ago, Qcumber said:

Not my favourite plane but yes, would be great to see the Buccaneer, alongside other British planes, such as English Electric Lightning and Jaguar (British/French). 

Some would call her fugly and I would probably I agree, but... She made up for it with charisma by the bucket loads.  I agree 100% with the Frightning F6/T5 and Jaguar GR.1/T.2.

Edited March 26 by Tengah

[Qcumber]

10 minutes ago, Tengah said:

Some would call her fugly and I would probably I agree, but... She made up for it with charisma by the bucket loads.  I agree 100% with the Frightning F6/T5 and Jaguar GR.1/T.2.

 

Fugly is a bit harsh. Maybe "acquired taste". It might be one of those aircraft that flies better than it looks!? 

I still go to see it every time I go to Duxford. 

[Tengah]

40 minutes ago, Qcumber said:

Fugly is a bit harsh. Maybe "acquired taste". It might be one of those aircraft that flies better than it looks!? 

I still go to see it every time I go to Duxford. 

I couldn't have said better.  Long time since I last visited Duxford, I need to make the effort.

[Johnny Dioxin]

13 hours ago, Rudel_chw said:

 

What behaviour? ... if they dont want people anxious about a release date, you can always just tell no one about the new Mod, until it is almost finished, like the developer of the SK60 mod did.

It wasn't about release dates - and we are talking about a few years ago when this forum was known for being a pretty toxic place. Also not talking about a mod. He made it as a mod to test etc, but the talk is of full modules for DCS, that was what was mentioned - a dev concentrating on British aircraft and that was what this would have been.

 

PS - look at your own post about 13 pages of ignored users for an excellent example. That's now, as well, when many say the forums are better than before. A dev can't just put them on ignore lists.

Edited March 27 by Johnny Dioxin

[Johnny Dioxin]

13 hours ago, Tengah said:

Johnny, such a shame, I am so sorry to hear that regarding the DCS "British Jet".  Great old video btw, always good to see a fellow ex Space Cadet.  Are you of the era of the Chippie and  "Jump, jump John!"

 

Absolutely - 5AEF was awesome! Flew at RAF Halton and Kinloss. The local airfield runs a couple of Chippies as experience flights - £100 per 20 minutes, up to an hour - which I was trying to get my weight down for (am 3kg over) but then I found out you have to be able to get in the cockpit unassisted and that would be difficult, so gave up on that dream

They have a Harvard as well now, maybe that would be easier?

Anyway - 1769sqn, Thurso, Caithness. My old man was serving with the US NAVCOMMSTA at Murkle (Forss), so I took the opportunity after being overseas for years before. You forgot the Lee Enfield No.4 rifle and sore shoulders!

Edited March 27 by Johnny Dioxin

[Tengah]

8 hours ago, Johnny Dioxin said:

Absolutely - 5AEF was awesome! Flew at RAF Halton and Kinloss. The local airfield runs a couple of Chippies as experience flights - £100 per 20 minutes, up to an hour - which I was trying to get my weight down for (am 3kg over) but then I found out you have to be able to get in the cockpit unassisted and that would be difficult, so gave up on that dream

Small world! I was a 5 AEF'er at their home base, Cambridge. My Cadet Squadrons: 2462 Oakley Sqn, then attended 2462DF at Wootton which became 207 Sqn at Cranfield, Bedfordshire.  Well, this is a trip down memory lane.   Yes indeed those darned .303 Lee Enfields, weighed a ton, kicked like a mule resulting in many a bruised shoulder.  I was skippy when we went to the 7.62 SLR. 

The Harvard would be a nice ride, very nostalgic!