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The Buccaneer has earned an unequaled reputation as an ultra-low level tactical bomber over both land and sea. |
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The S.Mk.2A designation was applied to all non-Martel-equipped S.Mk2 transferred from the Royal Navy to the Royal Air Force. |
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A bold innovative design incorporating a comparatively small wing with exhaust bleed-off fed over the upper surface to enhance lift. |
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The unusual split-tailcone airbrakes provide enormous drag without disrupting airflow over the airframe.
They also combine with folding wings and nosecone to make for compact stowage on crowded carrier decks. |
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All of my reference photos showed heavy weathering for this period so I had a good time weathering this one. It also hides mistakes pretty good. |
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Kit: Airfix #03055 |
Scale: 1/72 |
Decals: The decals with this kit were blurry, badly out of register, and on a foggy carrier. I strongly suggest finding an alternative source. |
After Market Parts: Airwaves Set 72-11 (Metal etched detail parts). |
Cost: I purchased this kit for $8.99 (US) at Phil's Hobbies in Carrolton, TX. |
Comments: This is a very old kit and does not stand up to todays higher standards of production. The fit is not bad except for the nosecone and vertical tail. The landing gear is terrible, comprised of only three TOTAL parts for the entire aircraft. I carved out joints, wheelhubs and other missing details in the struts to try to make them more believable. The gear doors and antennas are about half a scale foot thick. I thinned the doors and replaced all the antennas with handcut sheet styrene. The cockpit is detail-less except for the vaguely shaped Martin Baker Mk 6MSB ejection seats. There isn't enough room in the cockpit tub to offset the pilot's seat to port like in the real bird. I threw away the refueling probe and replaced it with one from the parts box. There are some nasty seam problems inside the engine intakes. |
End Result: I could have easily finished 2 better produced kits with less effort, but the desire to build my own "Brick" was too strong to quit. |