Buccaneer XN923

BLACKBURN BUCCANEER S.1.

Manufacturer:	BLACKBURN
Purpose:	Low Level Shipborne Strike
Crew	1 PILOT, 1 OBSERVER
Max Speed (sea level):	626 knots (11,580km/h)
Cruising speed:	Approx 450 knots (833 km/h)
Service ceiling:	50,000ft (15,240 m)
All-up weight:	45,000 lb (20,412 kg)
Weapons:	4 x 1000 lb (1,814 kg) bombs internal, 4 x 1000 lb externl underwing - nuclear capable
Range:	1200 nautical miles (2,222 km)

HISTORY

The "Buccaneer' first flew on the 30th of April 1958, with service trials being carried out on HMS Victorious from June 1959. The aircraft entered service in March 1961 with 700Z flight and became operational with 801 squadron in July 1962. It equipped a number of squadrons, 700Z (1961-63), 736 (1966-70), 800 (1964-66), 801 (1962-65), 809 (1963-65). It was phased out of Naval service in December 1970.

XN923 looking very colourful whilst with RAE. taxis back in after completing its display at RAF Coltishall on the 19th of July 1970.

Twenty pre-production, and forty production aircraft were built and delivered between October 1959 and December 1963. Blackburn Aircraft Company was taken over by the Hawker Siddeley Group in May 1963. The S 1 was replaced by the S 2 which had a substantially enhanced capability over the S 1 and was destined to see considerable service before being retired by the R.A.F. to whom they were transferred in the 1970's. The following Serial No's were allocated to S 1 Buccaneer's; XK486 (Prototype), XK523-XK536 (pre-production), XN922-XN935, XN948-XN973.

ROLE

The Buccaneer S 1 was designed to achieve surprise by flying at subsonic speed under the enemy radar to deliver nuclear or conventional bombs against targets at sea or on land. The Buccaneer was designed to carry a substantial payload without the need to fly at airframe stressing supersonic speeds. It was fitted with avionics equipment that ensured precision navigation and weapons delivery accuracy.

Some of the weapons payload is held in a rotating bomb bay, weapon delivery being by either conventional bombing or by "tossing" the bomb - a technique which added to the aircraft’s survival chances, especially if delivering a nuclear weapon. During this time the majority of aircraft were painted a reflective white colour.

The aircraft was also capable of photo reconnaissance and deep visual surface search. This role was employed during the 1965 Beira Patrol when the oil embargo on Rhodesia was being enforced.

Gatwick Aviation Museum History

XN923 did not see active service. It was used by the Ministry of Defence for service trials at West Freugh in Scotland and by A& AEE at Boscombe Down in Wiltshire. Purchased by Peter Vallance when put up for sale and transported to Charlwood by road arriving on 23rd March 1990.

XN923 Looking ready to launch as she sits waiting in the spring sunlight at Gatwick Aviation Museum. (2007)

XN923 in May 1974 - possibly at Boscombe Down. Anyone who has more info or knows the crew please send us an email.

The proof (not that we need it!) that the S.1 does run.

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