Buccaneer S.2 XX885

Any news on XX885?

No manual reversion on the flying controls. ie. the controls are operated by hydraulics only, and loss of hydraulic systems would result in loss of control.

Permit to fly details here: http://www.caa.co.uk/application.aspx?catid=60&pagetype=65&appid=1&mode=detailnosummary&fullregmark=HHAA

Is it something to do with the blown wing?

Bit of a chicken-and-egg situation. No one is going to make work for something that’s not available to fly, but if it’s airworthy, work may be offered? For example, if the owners of the Vulcan and Sea Vixen thought they would not get any air show bookings, would they still proceed to make these aircraft airworthy?

Well the Sea Vixen hardly gets any bookings at all, but they still keep it airworthy.
In fact I’m surprised they do seeing the costs involved and I doubt they turn in any kind of profit. I suppose it helps that the company services other aircraft too, whereas the Vulcan people are just there solely for that one aeroplane, so no bookings would make it all a bit pointless.

We don’t get German Phantoms flying at UK airshows because the German Airforce won’t perform at any airshow, I’m not certain but I think this came in after Ramstein.

Yeah, I think that’s about right. Shame really as the Phantom at Yeovilton was a beauty. An absolute beast that I’d have loved to have seen flying, if only for a few flypasts.

Getting back to the Buccaneer. Can anyone tell me why it’s regarded as ‘complex’?
I remember reading some stuff on the web where it seemed HHA thought they’d be able to get that changed to ‘Intermediate’ like the Sea Vixen, but the CAA just wouldn’t relent sadly.

Sorry should have been more precise, I haven’t heard of the two military serialed Hunters flying at shows, that’s not to say they absolutely haven’t though.

We don’t get German Phantoms flying at UK airshows because the German Airforce won’t perform at any airshow, I’m not certain but I think this came in after Ramstein.

You are right in general though, a permit to fly is different to a permit to display, though that doesn’t rule out a static appearance.
For example I have never seen or heard of HHA Hunters, or say the MB Meteors, performing at public airshows, but I have seen the Meteors parked in static parks.

BTW HHA do post here, so may be worth sending a PM.

HHA hunters have displayed at shows in the past, but they were ones that were on the civil register, I doubt you will see the military registered ones displaying, and if XX885 does fly I guess it will be operated with a military reg.

Just out of interest, does anyone know what type of work the Buccaneer could do that HHA cant carry out with their Hunters?

Low level/high speed target work would be the most likely – possibly in connection with the later phases of the T45 Destroyer programme (I beleive that was the task that HHA had in mind when they bought her).

I heard that you need different permits for air shows to what you need for other work. Ie a pilot can fly an a/c over here from abroad but that doesnt mean he can display it. Hence why we dont get German Phantoms any more much is the pity.

We don’t get German Phantoms flying at UK airshows because the German Airforce won’t perform at any airshow, I’m not certain but I think this came in after Ramstein.

You are right in general though, a permit to fly is different to a permit to display, though that doesn’t rule out a static appearance.
For example I have never seen or heard of HHA Hunters, or say the MB Meteors, performing at public airshows, but I have seen the Meteors parked in static parks.

BTW HHA do post here, so may be worth sending a PM.

re;

I heard that you need different permits for air shows to what you need for other work. Ie a pilot can fly an a/c over here from abroad but that doesnt mean he can display it. Hence why we dont get German Phantoms any more much is the pity.

HHA fly their Hunters into the static at Waddington, so chances are we would get to see a Bucc arrive and depart.

That SU22 really ought to go on display at Newark, even on loan.

I don’t understand it either, but he said the same thing to me. He only envisaged getting the aircraft back into the air in response to a direct requirement, and even if he did, there was no plan to make it available for air shows. But I guess that if it was flyable again and somebody asked for it (and paid for it) then it would turn up! I assume he meant that there was no plan to fly/display the aircraft at shows.

Given the current climate, I can’t see much hope of it ever flying. I wonder if the only real chance is if – by some miracle – someone with some money comes along and works with HHA or takes it from HHA to fly. Not very likely, but you never know… keep scratching those Lottery cards!

One thing HHA have always been clear on – if they got contract work for the Bucc, it would NOT be available for display work…..

If that is their policy, how come they sent one of their Hunters to RIAT?
Bit of a chicken-and-egg situation. No one is going to make work for something that’s not available to fly, but if it’s airworthy, work may be offered? For example, if the owners of the Vulcan and Sea Vixen thought they would not get any air show bookings, would they still proceed to make these aircraft airworthy?

Absolutely, it costs nothing to hope!

As for PR9’s..XH134 is the only and current contender. A lovely hemp space to be watched!

And to avoid further thread creep, I too would love to see XX885 with sky under her wings too 🙂

Well that is hopeful!

We can always hope – even if experience tells us it’s often a futile exercise!

The only cranberry I can think of that is likely to fly anytime soon is WK163.

As far as im aware WJ874 Is in need of a major service and corrosion treatment? though that was the last time I was up at Coventry.

Not a clue about The PR.9’s though I doubt the one that went to ireland will now fly.

We already have two… possibly three. Just a question of when, hopefully.

Well that is hopeful!

We already have two… possibly three. Just a question of when, hopefully.

Canberra!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

… and a Lightning, Victor, Varsity, Hastings, Shackleton, Jaguar, Harrier, Britannia, Javelin, Scimitar…:p

I’d be inclined to think that in reality, the Buccaneer (and Su-22) at Scampton are never going to fly again. Sad but probably inevitable.

Any way it would be a awesome sight seeing and hearing a buccaneer over UK skies again.

Such a shame really i was really looking forward to a buccaneer display.Hope they get the work done soon.

One thing HHA have always been clear on – if they got contract work for the Bucc, it would NOT be available for display work…..