discussion Buccaneer question

[langy71]

Hi folks, after finishing the Hawker Hunter recently I've started to build the new Airfix 1/48 Buccaneer S2.B,
Now the kit gives you a few options on things and I was just wondering does anybody know if the wing and tail flaps drop when the aircraft is shut down..or does the hydraulic system hold enough pressure to keep them in a level position ?
And would the aircraft be 'parked' with the tail airbrake open or would it also be 'closed' when the aircraft is shut down ?

 

[Steve-the-Duck]

According to my partner who was in the RAF in the 'eighties, and whose job was to photo parts of the 'plane for damage record purposes:
The flaps and elevators (movable part of the horizontal tail surface), stay usually in the position of the control column in the cockpit, however, they can also be locked in a horizontal position, especially when parked. The hydraulic system on the Bucc is very high pressure, so much so he was told never to wipe off drops of apparently leaking hydraulic fluid fo fear that a pinhole leak would cut into your finger. When parked, ready to fly later, there's little hydraulic pressure. If there's power on, like a trolley acc or Houchin generator there will be pressure.
When on the ramp and in the hanger, the tail is usually open, with the warning not to stand anywhere near that, because if power was put on it closes really fast, and really sharp! Like decapitation fast
The 'plane takes up less space with wings folded and tail open. Likewise, the nose folds open for maintenance of the radar.
Just post and just pre-sortie, everything is likely open, even the bomb bay. And that is another area of 'danger of division'. Especially as the spine fuel tanks are accessed for maintenance via the bomb bay
Two ladders to the cockpit are also normal when the aircraft is in these conditions

This beast sounds bloody dangerous to ground crew!

Oh, he also says there should be a three-figure aircraft ID number on the inside of the airbrake, usually in yellow
If you're doing a 12 Squadron machine, the fox-heads are individual to each aircraft. Transfer makers tend to use a generic symbol

Hope that all helps

 

[langy71]

Thanks for the reply mate, plenty of brilliant info there,

I did initially think of doing a 12 sqn aircraft, but for some reason I keep drifting toward the Gulf War version..(probably because I enjoyed building the gulf war Jaguar a while back).

 

[rickoshea52]

I’ve done two Buccaneers in 1/72 scale, one in Gulf War scheme with wings folded and an early 12 sqn grey/green over light grey with wings stead. I posed both with the airbrake open. I also have a 1/48 Bucc which I plan to do as a 208 sqn jet it wraparound camo with wings spread and air brakes open.

The consistent thing I saw in my Gulf War Buccaneer research was the air brakes were almost always left open and the wings spread - rearming a Bucc wing pylon with the wings folded doesn’t look at all easy.

For clarity, a Houchin or trolley acc provides ground electrical power to an aircraft during startup/shut down or for maintenance. Hydraulic power is usually provided using a hyd rig for maintenance purposes. Flap position is not dependent on the control column position. On aircraft with hydraulically powered flying controls it is common for the controls (aileron, rudder, elevators) to be left in a neutral position with hydraulic pressure dissipated.

The instructions sheet gives you plenty of configuration options for you to make the model that way you prefer.

You might find this link useful for reference photos - https://dstorm.eu/pages/en/gb/bucc.html

I’m interested to see what you produce.