Airfix Blackburn Buccaneer S.2B 1:48 RAF Military Aviation Plastic Model Kit A12014

Entering RAF service some seven years after it had with the Royal Navy, the Blackburn Company received an initial order for 26 new aircraft, with RAF machines having a number of differences from their seaborne counterparts and designated S.Mk.2B. For an aircraft the Royal Air Force didn’t really want, the Buccaneer proved to be an exceptionally capable machine and by the time they were scheduled for retirement, they were reluctant to let them go. Although they were forced to take a naval aircraft they had originally dismissed, it didn’t take long before the camouflaged Buccaneers of the RAF began to show why this was definitely not a second rate aircraft option. Kept in secrecy during development, nicknamed the Banana Jet (Blackburn Advanced Naval Aircraft) as England began to create an anti-shipping weapon capable of striking fear against the rapidly growing Soviet Army in the following years after the end of World War II to protect their merchant fleets that were beginning to be targeted by the Soviet Union's commerce raids. With this real threat on the horizon, the Blackburn Buccaneer was built to defend and attack. Introduced into service in 1962, the Blackburn Buccaneer became the largest aircraft to operate off of aircraft carriers, the first generation, S.1, saw trouble with taking off, not generating enough power, it was quickly decided to update with Rolls-Royce engines and a turbofan, which also lowered its fuel consumption and all squadrons were converted by 1966 and redesignated S.2. Sporting a rotating bomb bay door rather than the classic pop outs, added to the overall stealth of the plane. Able to fly at low altitudes made it the perfect defence against Soviet Cruisers.

• Airfix is the oldest UK manufacturer of scale model plastic kits and has been producing kits for the mass market since 1952. Airfix produce a wide range of kits aimed at all types of scale modelers with subjects such as; military aircraft, ships, space, cars, dioramas and military vehicles.
• Primary Scheme: Blackburn Buccaneer S.2B, XW527/527, No. 12 Squadron, RAF Lossiemouth, Scotland, 1993. Secondary Scheme: Blackburn Buccaneer S.2B, XW544, No. 15 Squadron, RAF Laarbruch Germany, 1971. Third Scheme: Blackburn Buccaneer S.2B, XV352, No. 208 Squadron, Op Red Flag, 1977. Fourth Scheme: Blackburn Buccaneer S.2B, XW547/R, Guinness Girl/Pauline, Operation Granby/Desert Storm, Muharraq Airport, Bahrain, 1991.
• Skill level: 3. Dimensions of completed kit: length 40.2 cm x width 28 cm x height 10.31 cm. Total Pieces: 291. A great plastic model kit for the intermediate and advanced modeler.
• Painting and assembly required. Paints and glue need to be purchased separately. Includes: Plastic model kit, instruction sheet, paint layout sheet and decals.
• Humbrol paints needed to complete the liveries are listed on the outside of the box.