Update time.
Arrived at the museum this morning to find 168 had a visitor in the form of 901. with them been parked nose to nose a nice little photo op was in place.
Untitled by Scott Clayton, on Flickr
So time to sand paint while the sun shines.
Untitled by Scott Clayton, on Flickr
Untitled by Scott Clayton, on Flickr
Untitled by Scott Clayton, on Flickr
Untitled by Scott Clayton, on Flickr
Got plenty done today, most of the port side of the upper fuselage as far back as the jet pipes and the port inner wing as far as the hinge line. Still plenty more to do but at least the weather played ball today.
Shock horror……an update that’s not taken me months to get round to doing.
Saturday weather was the usual British type……..wet
So couldn’t get on with more prep on 168 so took to removing some of the access panels that need attention and hot footing it to the hanger to get cracking.
Untitled by Scott Clayton, on Flickr
2 underwing panels as removed from the aircraft, as you can see the paint is awful and there are some signs of corrosion starting to appear
Untitled by Scott Clayton, on Flickr
The same 2 panels after been rubbed down and ready for priming.
Untitled by Scott Clayton, on Flickr
Untitled by Scott Clayton, on Flickr
One of the spine panels I removed in its first thin coat of primer and finished ready to go back on the aircraft.
Once all the panels were dry the rain had cleared and it was dry so went and refitted the panels.
Untitled by Scott Clayton, on Flickr
Untitled by Scott Clayton, on Flickr
and while I was up on top with tools to hand I freed off some more of the spine panels.
Untitled by Scott Clayton, on Flickr
That’s it for now.
Hi all
Apologies for the lack of updates on the forum, I tend to keep the facebook page updated, but uploading photos to flickr to do the updates on here tends to be a royal pain in the rear, but I will try and get more regular updates on progress on for you.
So where are with 168’s restoration I hear you ask……well
We have had electrical and hydraulic power on the aircraft and got some joy out of 168’s systems….
Untitled by Scott Clayton, on Flickr
The houchin providing electrical power to 168 thanks to the Victor team for allowing me to borrow it for a bit.
Untitled by Scott Clayton, on Flickr
the Hydraulic rig attached to 168 while testing out her hydraulic systems.
Untitled by Scott Clayton, on Flickr
the bomb door during rotation.
We got the bomb door to rotate as you can see above, we got the airbrakes to close and then while opening them they developed a large leak which will require attention at a later date. The wing fold is an issue as the rear locking pin on the starboard side wont withdraw, but we have a solution for it and at some point in the not too distant future a special removal tool will be making the journey to YAM to hopefully shift the stubborn pin.
the main focus of the work of late is prep work for 168’s repaint, due to the unpredictable British summer weather this has been slow going, but progress is been made.
Untitled by Scott Clayton, on Flickr
Untitled by Scott Clayton, on Flickr
Untitled by Scott Clayton, on Flickr
we have also fitted a new nose cone, the one fitted to 168 has some damage and as we have a spare we fitted that as its in better condition and the original off 168 can be repaired at our leisure, it wasn’t a job I could do on my own so Graham and the guys and girls from the Meteor team who were in that day came and gave me a helping hand.
Untitled by Scott Clayton, on Flickr
168’s Blue Parrot radar, the dish is apparently stored away somewhere on site and when I find out where I will refit it. Graham from the Meteor team up the steps ready to guide the replacement nose into place.
Untitled by Scott Clayton, on Flickr
And her new nose cone in place, a couple of the fasteners need adjustment, and it just goes to show how bad her current paint is compared to the paint on the replacement nose.
So there we have it, that’s what we have been up too with her restoration.
Hopefully my next update wont take so long.
Another update folks….
A productive day on 168.
First job of the day after the compulsory bacon butty and a cup of tea was to go round some of the panels on the aircraft and check that the fasteners are all free, she looks a bit different with panels off.
Untitled by Scott Clayton, on Flickr
After that short job the intake blank got its last coat of paint and its new retaining strap was fitted, 168 looks much more the part with it fitted.
Untitled by Scott Clayton, on Flickr
Untitled by Scott Clayton, on Flickr
all we need now is another one to go with it, if anyone knows of one that might be available please let us know.
that’s all for now.
Hello all
Time for another tardy update (I’m sorry I really should keep up with it !)
So what’s been happening I hear you cry.
Well myself and Graham took a trip out to see our friends at the Newark Air Museum for there aerojumble where we caught up with many friends, drank tea and had one of there wonderful toasties in the café (You must try them there delicious). I did actually pick something useful up while there, a nice new old stock undercarriage selector.
And of course had to visit S.1 XN964
And the cockpit section of XX899
Back to work on 168 saw us tackling the starboard side lower engine door which refuses to open, after drilling out what was thought to be the offending pin that was stopping the door for lowering it still hasn’t budged, so it looks the second of the forward pins may not have released as we previously thought so looks like we will have to drill that one too.
We have a nice addition to 168’s restoration in the form of an intake blank, its a bit rough so its going to get some TLC
So yesterday the weather been so nice and before starting work on rubbing down and repainting the intake blank I opened up 168 to let some nice fresh air in
and after fitting RBF flags we’ve got to a couple of covers…
Just need a few more now, we rubbed down the blank and gave it its first coat of fresh red paint
Untitled by Scott Clayton, on Flickr
its going to need at least another coat.
Now all we need is another one to go with it and some jet pipe blanks…..
That’s all for now, I will try and keep the thread up to date.
Hello all
Apologies for the delay in an update its been a busy week
We were working on 168 last Sunday and got a bit of work done but not as much as we would have liked.
She was basking in the lovely spring sunshine when I arrived at the museum so had to get a pic.
Untitled by Scott Clayton, on Flickr
After opening her up to let some air in the cockpit, I refitted the underwing panels that had been removed and cleaned up.
Untitled by Scott Clayton, on Flickr
The rest of the day was spent trying to get the lower engine doors to open, without success. might have to take more drastic measures.
That’s all for now folks
Been looking further into codes and units for Buccaneer XV168 initially in my incomplete collection of ‘Military Aircraft Markings’ – not the best source perhaps!. Early editions just state ‘Strike Command’. MAM’84 lists 12 Sqdn, MAM’86 states coded ‘VS’ with 208 Sqdn, MAM’88 no code with 208 sqdn, stored at Shawbury in MAM’91, 12 Sqdn in MAM’92 and MAM’93, Brough in MAM’94 onwards. Information, if accurate, usually applies to the later months of the previous year. The unit during later years of service conflicts with the ‘first hand’ information from “cabbage”. Clearly MAM is wrong in the ’92 and ’93 editions.
It appears that relatively briefly in the mid ’80s that 12 Sqdn aircraft wore tail codes ending in ‘F’ eg AF, BF etc and 208 Sqdn aircraft carried codes ending in ‘S’ eg AS, BS etc. MAM’84 and MAM’86 lists the ‘AF’ code now painted on XV168 as being carried by XV161 at that time! 15 and 16 Sqdn based at Laarbruch both used single letter tail codes and both units had moved onto Tornados by then. There was a period when the ‘last three’ of the serial were presented in pale blue close to the fin flash (mainly on 237OCU and 12 sqdn aircraft?).
I feel sure that at some stage in the later ’80s BARG (British Aircraft Research Group) published a detailed aircraft by aircraft production history of the Buccaneer across several editions of their group magazine. Mine have long since gone, anyone able to fill the gaps (and dates) into my brief airframe history resume? The Ulster Aviation Society may have covered RN service in some detail, many years ago.
Using images on the internet, find that:
9/75 12 Sqdn badge, no code, pale grey underside.
8/82 ‘168’ in yellow on fin, 12 Sqdn badge, wrap-around camouflage.
8/85, 10/85 tail code ‘VS’ in outline white, 208 Sqdn flash on nose.
7/88, 6/89, 7/89 ‘168’ on fin in pale blue, no unit badge.
2/93 208 Sqdn flash on nose, no tail code.Main photo image sites with photos of XV168 appear to be:
https://abpic.co.uk/pictures/search?q=XV168 (NB some Buccaneers on this page are other XV16+ serials) includes XV168 being transported on low loader and coded ‘VS’ with 208 Sqdn.
http://www.airliners.net/search?keywords=XV168 includes yellow ‘last three’ and 12 Sqdn badge in 8/82 and 208 Sqdn flash in 2/93
https://www.flickr.com/search/?q=XV168&w=all All seem to be Elvington shots
http://www.thunder-and-lightnings.co…ivor.php?id=94 Comments on condition 2013 just prior to removal from Brough
Would appear that the progression of units should read: 801 Sqdn, preparation for RAF (at Bitteswell?), 12 Sqdn, 208 Sqdn, 12 Sqdn, RAF Shawbury store, 208 Sqdn (so amends my previous post).
For more on the Buccaneer aircraft in general:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blackburn_Buccaneer
http://www.thunder-and-lightnings.co…er/history.php
https://www.baesystems.com/en/herita…burn-buccaneer
Plus others
Question for Scott. While I appreciate that you only just setting out on a working inspection of airframe and systems, what are your ultimate aspirations? Are you looking to eventually get back to engines running and capable of taxi under power; hydraulic systems operative (eg bomb bay rotating, wings folding, u/c retracting, air brakes, tail hook moving etc); limited electrical systems (canopy operative, cockpit and exterior lighting) or simply any corrosion controlled and a full exterior repaint to static display as a refreshed exhibit? From ‘outside’ these seem to be the main options. Your thoughts? Not being a regular visitor to Elvington (as indeed are most observers on this forum), how does XV168 compare to the other two Buccaneer’s on site? Is S2A XN974 still running and taxiable? What is the status of the Gulf War ‘pink’ S2B XX901 internally?
Came across these links to the Ulster Aviation Society Buccaneer which inspired to me ask the question as clearly a Buccaneer can be shown to the public as apparently ‘live’ exhibit, even without engines running (cockpit canopy, wing fold/unfold, bomb bay rotation. tail hook, air brakes etc,). A ground show for visitors that most aircraft types would find difficult to emulate!
https://www.facebook.com/UlsterAviat…5954517541881/
http://ulsteraviationsociety.org/bla…-buccaneer-s2b A decent write-up of XV361s history, something not available for researchers on the YAM website regarding their exhibits..
Hi Viscount
My aims with XV168 are a double edged sword, Aim 1 is to treat any corrosion issues and get her repainted, my thoughts on colours at the moment are to repaint her as she was at Lossie at the disbandment parade.
Aim 2 is get her working electrically and hydraulically as much as is possible dependent on any issues she has and the availability of parts or been able to repair any defective parts or systems, id also like to kit her ejection seats out with the missing seat pan packs and parachute packs so when we have open cockpit days all the wonderful supportive folks out there can come and have a sit in her. Id also like to fit her out with intake blanks ect to give her more of a look of an operational aircraft. That is of course if any of those items are available.
Beyond that id love to get her into running condition again, but I am aware that the engines do have some parts missing and she’s been sat out in the elements for a long time, she has Perspex covers in the intakes and jet pipes (They look awful but there doing a job ) and I’m lead to believe that the engines can still be rotated by hand. As I cant get the engine doors opened at the moment that’s about as much as I know at the moment, and as you say its early doors on her restoration and I’m working for a couple of very incomplete AP’s. Once aim 1 and 2 are complete then who knows, never say never but don’t hold your collective breath
Right now we have got that bit out of the way, to your question about how 168 compares to 974 and 901. XN974 is still very alive and taxiable she’s tucked up in the hanger for the winter and I’m sure she will be back out in the sunshine soon turning AVTUR into noise. You’ve put 974 as an S.2A as far as I know she’s classed as just an S.2 as a test aircraft she has a very different mod state to any other Bucc, originally started on the factory line as an S.1 she was selected to be built as an S.2 development aircraft. The cockpit is different to a standard Bucc and one anomaly I do know she has is that she is fitted with S.1 brakes which has caused an issue in the past with finding serviceable parts.
XX901 has a very interesting past. She belongs to the Buccaneer Aircrew Association and is on loan to YAM and has been since they acquired her. 901 served during the first gulf war and wears gulf war colours and the nose art that she had during the conflict (Kathryn the flying mermaid) 901 was one of the aircraft involved in the show of force flypasts over Beirut, and also one of the 2 (maybe 3 my mind is not letting me know right now) Bucc’s that landed in the Falkland Islands after the war to test the feasibility of reinforcing the islands should they come under treat again. 901 is as far as I know reasonable complete. she has her wings folded at the moment but sadly this can only be done manually as she had the wining and hydraulic pipes at the wingfold cut when her wings were removed to transport her.
So there we go hopefully that will give you all an incite into my plans for 168 and a bit about YAM’s other resident Bucc’s and so to finish how about a couple of pics.
IMG_2375 by Scott Clayton, on Flickr
XX901 and XN974 outside the day XV168 arrived
XV168 arrival by Scott Clayton, on Flickr
XV168 arriving at Elvington, ultra low level style 🙂
Untitled by Scott Clayton, on Flickr
974 after her repaint into her original naval colour scheme
Untitled by Scott Clayton, on Flickr
974 and 901 tucked up in the hanger
Untitled by Scott Clayton, on Flickr
And finally 901 and 168 parked up together.
Hope you’ve all enjoyed this post.
‘Ant H’ the same question was running through my mind. One of the interesting aspects of the Meteor thread is the ‘damage’ done to totally inhibit systems, botch repair jobs and the issues around simply being sat outside for so long. So I set about seeing what background I could come up with. In contrast to the Meteor which has suffered dismantling for helicopter sling and road transportation, the Buccaneer has been moved by road only once and without major dismantling. I’m always a little surprised at aviation museums that don’t feature the individual airframe history ‘time-lines’ on their websites, however a quick finger along the book shelves and a dip into Google produces this summary to make up for the information shortfall. Others might have more. For example it would be interesting to know if she embarked on either HMS Eagle or the Ark Royal. I’m also missing detail on when and where converted to an S.2B for the R.A.F. and information on the individual aircraft codes carried while with both FAA and the RAF units.
Built by Hawker Siddeley Aviation at Brough, to the third order for Buccaneer aircraft, and produced as the last of 17 so completing that order (XV152-168). Constructed for the Fleet Air Arm as a Buccaneer S.2, her first flight was from Holme on Spalding Moor, likely during November 1966.
Delivered to the Fleet Air Arm she served with 801 Sqdn. Following conversion for the R.A.F. as a Martel equipped strike aircraft (an S.2B), she served with 12 Sqdn, 208 Sqdn, then back to 12 Sqdn again. Ending up at Lossiemouth, she was SOC RAF charge on 15.10.93, having departed Lossiemouth on her final flight the same day.
At the end of her service career she was flown from Lossiemouth to land at Brough 15th October 1993. The only Buccaneer to ever actually use Brough airfield. Preserved there as a memorial dedicated to Blackburn’s test pilots who died developing the type, she was kept at Brough for 20 years. Cannot work out if she was on the gate throughout or at times kept indoors.
She was donated by BAe Systems to the Yorkshire Air Museum and made the relatively short trip from Brough to Elvington by road on Sunday 18th August 2013, joining 2 other Buccaneers on display there. For the move by road she was hoisted onto a low loader with undercarriage down and taking her weight, with wings folded. She arrived in the marks still carried 5+ years later: tail code AF with both 12 Sqdn’s ‘fox head’ on the intakes and 208 Sqdn blue and yellow flash on the nose.
It will be fascinating to read about how this solidly built ‘brick’ has coped with around 27 years of service life, followed by nearly the same length of time sat on the ground.
XV168 Buccaneer S.2B on static display at the RAF Leuchars Battle of Britain Air Display, September 1975, early morning before the public were allowed in.
12 Sqdn ‘foxes head’ badge on intake, no unit code. Quite likely not long after conversion and hand-over to the R.A.F..
Two shots on 29th June 2014 at Elvington showing the wrap-around matt camouflage, code and unit badges – the scheme it arrived from Brough in. Judging from the photos in an earlier post on this thread the camouflage is even more faded now and seriously in need of refreshing – presumably the ultimate aim of the care and attention about to be unleashed by Scott and team.
To me the semi-gloss NATO scheme of the early ’70s with light grey underside not only looks smart, but appears to be a much more ‘solid’ weatherproof coat than the later 80s ‘wrap-around’ matt camouflage that fades unevenly to look worn and drab.
Hi Viscount
Thanks for that, saved me taking my head out of the AP’s and filling in everyone on 168’s history.
Just a quick correction on your info on her move from Brough to Elvington. she was moved with her undercarriage retracted, not with her gear down. I was actually at Brough when she left and at Elvington when she arrived, may put the pics up on the thread if there’s demand.
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