SURVIVORS

BUCCANEER XX894 (BRUNTINGTHORPE)

XX894 Ground Run June 2008

Watch a video of the Ground Run carried out on XX894 in June 2008 at Bruntingthorpe Airfield.....

The Great Bruntingthorpe Buccaneer Race.

XX900 and XX894 Fly Again 

Two teams made up of cadets from 272 (Wisbech) and 2430 (Holbeach) Air Cadets with Sea Cadets from TS Falcon (Wisbech) raced each other down the runway at Bruntingthorpe Aerodrome and Proving Ground, nothing unusual about that, but they were each towing Buccaneer Fighter Bombers at the time.

 Click on Photo to enlarge

The cadets travelled to Bruntingthorpe at the invitation of one of the aircraft restoration groups there, On-Target Aviation, and the owner of one of the Buccaneers, Guy Hulme. The event was a trial run for some fund raising events planned for next year. Squadron Commander of 272 Sqn, Flight Lieutenant Jeff Goodley said, “We did not raise much money but that was not the idea, the day was arranged at fairly short notice and we had a great time.  The contact has been made and we can now plan some fund raising days for next year.  The aims for the day were to have fun and for the cadets to get close to some historic aircraft.  Both were targets were achieved and all the way home the cadets were asking when we would be coming back”. 

Guy Hulme the owner of Buccaneer XX894 said, “The cadets certainly had fun and we enjoyed hosting them, they were a well behaved and well turned out bunch, it was a pleasure to show them these historic aircraft.  We look forward to them coming here again.”  

The ‘Race’ took place over a 100 metre course in front of a crowd of enthusiasts at the aerodrome for an open day.  XX900 in it’s original RAF camouflage was towed by 17 cadets from 272 Sqn and XX894, resplendent in a new Navy colours, was towed by 12 cadets from Holbeach and 5 Sea Cadets for TS Falcon.  It was a close thing, after a slow get away XX894 came from behind to win by a short nose.  Pete ‘Captain Flack’ Thompson, one of the On-Target Aviation team said, “They didn’t quite make lift off speed but the cadets were great and all of us enjoyed the day”.

Article supplied by Guy Hulme 7th August 2008 

BUCCANEER XV359 (EXETER)

From Andrew Langdon

I am very fond of British fighter Jets. Having acquired a Harrier I remained in contact with the Navy at Yeovilton, and it was during one of my visits there I was informed of a Buccaneer which was surplus to requirements in Culdrose. I obtained photos of the aircraft which looked complete less engines. I was informed that should the aircraft not be sold it would be cut up and scrapped. I thought this would be tragic as I know there are only a few left and I became very interested in saving this aircraft. I made a bid and was later informed that I was successful and I had approximately four weeks to remove the aircraft.

Transporting from Culdrose was a major task. I contacted some other Buccaneer enthusiasts, namely Guy Hulmes, who was very helpful in putting me in touch with some of his friends who helped him move his Buccaneer. It took a long time organizing the move and eventually I obtained permission from the Police to make a night time move accompanied by two police motorbikes and a police car. I hired a special extending low-loader articulated lorry and with

Guy’s previous moving expert, the wings were removed and transported by a separate articulated lorry, with the fuselage being tilted so its width was reduced to 16 feet. Luckily the move was completed in one night and XV359 arrived in Topsham, Exeter to join my two other aircraft, the Harrier and a Jaguar, previously acquired and transported here.

I will be constructing a hangar to house these aircraft so they can be re-assembled and stand complete inside. I would welcome any members of the Buccaneer Association once the building is complete to visit these aircraft and should anyone wish to help with the replacing of the wings and tail plane once inside I would be very pleased to hear from them. It was great to meet Harold and Dave on their visit to see XV359 and hear some of their stories and to see some of the original pictures of XV359 in action. I look forward to meeting other members of the Association later this year when hopefully the aircraft will be under cover and assembled.

Update 5th May 2009

Hangar coming on nicely, Buccaneer now in beside two friends! When ever you are down or your association would like to visit please come any time. We are now putting panels on, cleaning and making everything look nice again.