1/48 Airfix Hawker Siddeley Buccaneer S.Mk.50

Gallery Article by Arthur Karas

 

This is my first contribution to ARC, where I have found a great deal of inspiration and many useful techniques and tips. I built models as a boy and started again a few years ago with my own son. While I have used the Internet daily for my work for many years it only occurred to me recently to see what was available for scale modeling enthusiasts. As a result of finding ARC my modeling standards have been raised exponentially, even if my skills are still lacking.  

The South African Air Force was the only sole user of these magnificent aircraft apart from the RAF and Royal Navy. The SAAF Buccaneers were operated by 24 Squadron and saw action during the Angolan conflict. Various modifications were made during their service life including the removal of the wing folding mechanisms and the installation of a fuel tank in the bomb bay. They were finally retired in 1991. A number of ex-RAF examples are currently still flown in Cape Town, South Africa, by the Thunder City Test Flying School.  

The Airfix 1/48 Buccaneer appears to have been improved somewhat when compared to earlier reviews I found on the web. My example was free of warped parts, for example. The model is still no walk in the park for a developing modeler and some components such as the rear airbrake were impossible for me to perfect. The cockpit is basic and I completed it with with the canopy closed. I added two scratchbuilt details, the white antenna rail under the cockpit and the VHF aerials on the vertical stabiliser.

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The camouflage scheme was rather challenging as the SAAF did not use FS colors at the time. I remember these planes as always looking rather dark and ominous and I think my representation of the PRU Blue and Dark Sea Grey colors using Humbrol enamels went reasonably well. The later version of the Buccaneer I chose had very little in the way of markings, national or otherwise and I was able to use some of the decals provided in the box, which are for the more colorful early delivery scheme. My  example carried only the 24 Squadron badge, serial number and a few warning stencils. The ejection seat triangles for the earlier variant were too large though and I'll have to keep an eye out for spares. I struggled with the panel lines and matt finish, and I probably won't use Humbrol enamels for the gloss and clear coats again. The look is still too shiny and I'll try a few coats of Tamiya Acrylic Matt varnish when I'm in the mood.  

My Buccaneer was armed with four 1000 lb bombs. I hope you like it. 

Arthur Karas

Photos and text © by Arthur Karas