1/48 Blackburn Buccaneer S.2C/D

The 1/48 Blackburn Buccaneer S.2C/D is a 1/48-scale plastic model kit from Airfix. It is suitable for building a collector’s model, a display piece, or a themed diorama.

Glue-together model aircraft. Scale: 1:48; size: 40.2 cm; number of parts: 288; difficulty: 3.

Manufacturer’s Information

Scale model aircraft kit. Scale: 1:48; size: 40.2 cm; number of parts: 288; difficulty: 3.

Information about the original and the model:
The Blackburn Buccaneer, a powerful naval strike aircraft developed as the United Kingdom’s response to the Soviet Navy’s extensive expansion program in the 1950s and the introduction of the Sverdlov-class cruisers, was designed to deliver exceptional performance at low altitudes and to effectively neutralize this new naval threat. This subsonic attack jet, which had to operate in the relatively confined space on board British aircraft carriers, was the most capable aircraft of its kind in the world and a true triumph of the British aviation industry —it was also the heaviest aircraft ever operated by the Royal Navy.
To enable the aircraft to be used effectively at sea, the Buccaneer’s design allowed not only the wings to be folded, but also the nose (which housed the radar) and the separation and folding of the rear air brake, which allowed for more practical stowage on an aircraft carrier while maintaining the aircraft’s aerodynamic integrity. When it entered service with the Royal Navy in July 1962, there were no two-seat trainer versions available, so although the pilot could gain some familiarity from a few flights spent in the rear seat of the new aircraft as an observer, he was entirely on his own in controlling the Buccaneer during his first operational flight. Fortunately, Blackburn’s designers had incorporated many advanced automated features into the spacious cockpit, all designed to reduce the pilot’s workload.
For aviation enthusiasts, the operation of aircraft at sea and the fearless pilots who flew from the swaying decks of constantly moving aircraft carriers—especially as aviation entered the jet age—is something incredibly fascinating. The grueling nature of these operations required naval aircraft to be not only capable of performing the tasks for which they were designed but also exceptionally durable—qualities that the Blackburn Buccaneer possessed in abundance.
The introduction of the S.2 variant in late 1965 marked a major improvement in the Buccaneer’s capabilities, centered primarily on the installation of a new powerplant: the famous Rolls-Royce Spey turbofan engine. Thanks to this engine, the Buccaneer S.2 had greater thrust and a longer range, making it an even more capable naval aircraft that must have struck fear into the heart of every Soviet naval commander. Thanks to its increased power, the S.2 was now capable of landing on its home aircraft carrier with one engine shut down if necessary, while still having sufficient thrust for a safe takeoff and a new landing attempt, should the aircraft fail to catch the arresting hook on the first attempt.
The Buccaneers of Naval Air Squadron No. 800 gained fame in March 1967 for destroying the wrecked oil tanker Torrey Canyon off Land’s End, when the government sought to prevent an environmental disaster by breaking up the vessel and burning its flammable cargo. Eight Buccaneers from the 800th Squadron took off from RAF Brawdy and dropped 19,000 kilograms of high-explosive bombs on the tanker, achieving an impressive 75% success rate.

Recommended paints (Humbrol):


Model details:
Scale: 1:48
Length: 40.2 cm
Height: 10.3 cm
Width: 28 cm
Number of parts: 288
Difficulty: 3
Flying Hours Points: 3

Recommended for children ages 8 and up.

Warning: Choking hazard! This product contains small parts. NOT SUITABLE FOR CHILDREN UNDER 3 YEARS OF AGE!

Assembly Recommendations

• Use a suitable model glue to glue the parts together.
• We recommend model paints and fine brushes to finish the model.
• Model-making tools are useful for precise finishing of the parts.