I was forbidden to take photos of the early all white Buccaneer on display (top secret!)
While browsing earlier threads I noticed this quote from Spicer, referring to his first ever air show visit, at Culdrose. It prompted me to dig out one of my photos taken at Yeovilton in 1961 or 1962. Could this the the one he mentioned? Why would it have been white anyway?
By: ALBERT ROSS - 28th April 2004 at 23:39
Spot on Flood! XK534 coded ‘683’ was at the Farnborough Air Show in September 1961 and that was one of the first aircraft I ever shot.
By: Flood - 26th April 2004 at 00:35
A quick check tells me that both 801 and 809NAS used this scheme (over all white with pale blue markings, bar the pale red dot on the roundel). Other than the V-bombers I can’t think of any other British military aircraft that wore an over all white anti flash scheme (the embassy Beavers don’t count!).
Flood.
By: Papa Lima - 25th April 2004 at 23:56
Thanks, Flood, that was quick!
I suspected it was an anti-flash scheme, and also suspect that the one Spicer mentioned was at Culdrose was a different aircraft, possibly a prototype, although I don’t remember an all-white Buccaneer other than this style here.
By: Flood - 25th April 2004 at 23:53
Presumably because the expected nukes would be going off above the Buccanneer and they wanted to reflect as much of the flash and heat as possible – just like the Vulcans, Victors, and Valiants around at that time. Later the upper surfaces would be painted sea grey for camouflage purposes.
This Bucc was from 700Z NAS which evaluated them between 8/61 and 12/62, and was based at Lossiemouth. Chances are that its registration was XK535 (but only because all the other code/serial link ups that I have found match; not very good really:rolleyes: ).
Flood.
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April 25, 2004 at 11:31 pm