Buccaneer S.1

from the cockpit No.6

by

Michael J Doust

Ad Hoc Publishing

Reviewed by Steve Naylor

HyperScale is proudly supported by Squadron.com

'Buccaneer' - a fitting epithet for a Royal Navy aircraft, certainly more inspiring than the official specification 'N.A. (Naval Aircraft) 39', but an aircraft so good in its role, that it later went on to also earn its keep with the Royal Air Force. That aircraft was the S.2, and just the mention of 'Exercise Red Flag' or the 'First Gulf War' will recall, for many, a formidable aircraft in that RAF guise. This book however, concerns the version which began it all, the S.1, and its naval origin and breeding.

For the sixth volume in this series (the fourth to be published), and having already whetted our (naval) appetites with the Wyvern and Scimitar, author Michael J Doust returns to guide the reader through the story of the Royal Navy's low-level-strike bomber, the Buccaneer.

Ad Hoc's 'From The Cockpit' series is now well-established and this volume follows the innovative format set by the earlier offerings, with chapters on key aspects of the aircraft's design and development, interspersed with personal recollections from various aircrew, engineers and specialists. Throughout, the Buccaneer's story is again profusely illustrated with exceptional black and white photographs of the period, many of them unpublished.

This time around there are also four pages of colour photographs, as well as the usual colour artwork profiles (four pages) of various service aircraft, including a two-page spread of the author's own aircraft (XN963) as flow with 800 Naval Air Squadron from HMS Eagle in May 1965.

Introduction of the Buccaneer to the Royal Navy provided a difficult challenge, both in engineering and logistical terms. The S.1 was also not without its faults and limitations, but teamwork and perseverance paid off, and the 'Bucc' went on to be a formidable and long-lived aircraft.

In the decade preceding the 'Buccaneer's introduction, a certain British Prime Minister declared that we (the British), 'have never had it so good'. Well, this is certainly true for fans of naval aviation and the FAA in particular, who will not be disappointed by this book. As with the preceding volumes, 'Buccaneer S.1 – From The Cockpit No.6' is a well-written and illustrated volume, containing much to interest the casual reader and modeller alike, and is therefore another great title in this rapidly expanding series.

Highly Recommended.

Thanks go to Ad Hoc Publications for the review copy.

Copies should be available to order from most good book outlets, but can also be ordered direct from;

Ad Hoc Publications
Cedars
Wattisham Road
Ringshall
Stowmarket
Suffolk IP14 2HX
(UK)

Tel: 07776 134277 Email: adhocpub@aol.com

www.adhocpublications.com