Preview

Blackburn Buccaneer S.Mk.1
& NA.39
(Pre-production version)

Scale Resin, 1/72 scale

HyperScale is proudly supported by Squadron.com
 

Scale Resin has sent information about two new releases:

A7201: Blackburn Buccaneer S.Mk.1

A7202: NA.39 [Pre-production version]

Greatly overlooked by model aircraft manufacturers for some 40 years – being over-shadowed by its younger sibling the Rolls-Royce Spey powered S.Mk.2 variant – CMR Moulding & Casting have announced the imminent release of the original de Havilland Gyron Junior powered versions under their Scale Resin label. These are not generic ‘Buccaneer’ models but two completely new models, worthy of 21st Century quality with historical and technical accuracy.

Czech Master Resin (under the leadership of now-retired Petr Buchar) was already well known by modellers for their range of highly detailed Buccaneer S.Mk.2 resin models they have produced in the past. The first two models (S.Mk.2A & 2B) were originally released in 2006 and by 2011 the full operational service career of all the Mk.2 versions had been covered, from Royal Navy introduction in 1965 to RAF retirement in 1994. Now modellers can get the chance to see where it all began.

Background

Originally put forward as the Blackburn B.103 project, in answer to the British Admiralty requirement NA.39 issued in June 1952. This was for a specialised naval strike (thermo-nuclear capable) fighter to combat the threat of Russia’s ‘Sverdlov’ class heavy cruiser, a merchant-shipping raider. The aircraft had to be capable of flying below enemy radar (200ft) and at transonic speeds (550 knots at sea level) with a radius of 400 miles and carry a 4,000lb weapons load.

In July 1955 Blackburn’s won the contract when the Admiralty chose the B.103 and the Ministry of Supply placed an immediate order for 20 development aircraft (6 prototype and 14 pre-production), the first prototype being programmed to fly by April 1958 – XK486 FF: 30.04.1958. In August 1960 the type was officially named “Buccaneer S.Mk.1”. The Controller Aircraft release was obtained in July 1961 and the Royal Navy’s “Intensive Flying Trials Unit”, 700Z Flight, took on the role of pushing their six NA.39 Pre-production aircraft to their operational and serviceable limits, with the “Buccaneer” being cleared for operational service in mid-summer 1962.

Though underpowered, the Buccaneer S.Mk.1 was still the most advanced aircraft of its type in the World at that time. A major Warsaw Pact deterrent, seeing frontline operational service aboard the Royal Navy aircraft carriers HMS Victorious and HMS Eagle between August 1963 and August 1966, until finally being replaced in Fleet Air Arm frontline service by the Buccaneer S.Mk.2. However it continued in the training and type-conversion role at Strike Headquarters, RNAS Lossiemouth, until the end of 1970.

The Model

With such a lineage of casting various Buccaneer S.Mk.2 versions, it would be easy to think that these Scale Resin models would just be adaptations of the existing CMR kits. This is absolutely not the case.

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Thumbnail panels:

Working in close collaboration with Andy White (www.blackburn-buccaneer.co.uk), who kindly supplied complete sets of highly accurate scale drawings for both production and pre-production versions (along with copies of early 1960’s Air Publication Service Manual diagrams), it was decided that with all the visible differences between the NA.39/S.Mk.1 and S.Mk.2 airframes, completely new sets of master part tooling would be produced, incorporating all the advances in resin moulding technique that are available today.

Though outwardly similar, the model airframes of both the A.7201 Buccaneer S.Mk.1 and A.7202 NA.39 [Pre-production version] faithfully reproduce all the main structural differences between the original aircraft. In the vein of their CMR predecessors, these are both fully complete models that require no ‘after market’ detailing sets. Configurations common to both models include:

Folding nose with fully detailed interior that is specific to each particular type – even down to the locking mechanism; highly detailed folding wing joints; optional main flap positions; optional open or closed air brake petals, plus a variety of weapons payloads. For example the rotating weapons bay door can be displayed in either the open or closed positions, with the interior surface detail faithfully reproduced from original A.P. diagrams, plus it also includes four individual bomb carriers for the 1000lb HEMC/HES bombs supplied – enabling the bay to still be displayed open but without a bomb load if desired.

The Buccaneer S.Mk.1 model also includes examples that were fitted with a retractable in-flight refuelling probe (signified by the blister just forward of the pilot’s windscreen on the port side) and those later modified with the more well known fixed in-flight refuelling probe. Also there is the option to model an early 1963 version with un-reinforced air brake petals or the later modified versions that included reinforced panels to stop the outer surface of the air brake petal skin from buckling caused by the jet exhaust during braking.

The NA.39 version includes differences such as: Doors covering the arrester hook trunk; missing hold-back mechanism necessary for catapult launches; differences in cooling ducts and ventilation grills to name but a few.

Each airframe is fully panel-lined; along with all the correct access panels specific to these Gyron Junior powered airframes. No expense has been spared over the level of detailing included, such as: the fully detailed main undercarriage bays with wing spar surface detail around the jet pipes, plus the additional main air duct pipes, for the boundary layer control system that bled hot air from each engine over the main control surfaces to increase lift at lower speeds during take-off and landing aboard aircraft carriers.

As for the most obvious difference between the Gyron Junior and Rolls-Royce Spey powered versions - the engines and nacelles: The deep-set engines have not been overlooked, with the front bearing and air starter assembly faithfully reproduced forward of the compressor blades; the small triangular air intakes located at the wing root leading edges that supplied cooling air to the main jet pipes; even down to the two small air intakes on either side, located between the fuselage and the engine nacelles that supplied the cabin air system.

Regarding the colour schemes supplied:

• The S.Mk.1 includes those of No.801 Squadron for trials aboard HMS Ark Royal in 1963 plus ‘Far East’ operational tour aboard HMS Victorious between 1964/65, and No.800 Squadron aboard HMS Eagle between 1964/66.

• The NA.39 [Pre-production version] includes two examples from ‘IFTU’ 700Z Flight and two from No.809 Strike Headquarters Squadron, RNAS Lossiemouth covering the period November 1961 to March 1965.

Each model also includes a full set of airframe stencil decals to Air Publication: A.P.4744A

Thanks to Scale Resin for the images and information.

Images Copyright 2015 by Scale Resin
Page Created 15 April, 2015
Last updated 15 April, 2015

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