1:48 Blackburn Buccaneer S.2B Gulf War

The low-level aircraft that got a second say in the desert

The Blackburn Buccaneer was designed to fly just above the water and for that work it was given a strong airframe that could take the pounding of low-level turbulence. In the S.2B version it served the Royal Air Force as a strike aircraft, and in 1991 a small group of these machines moved to the Middle East, where they marked targets with a laser for faster colleagues. The aircraft were then given a hastily applied light desert paint scheme and many of them individual nose art as well.

The package brings together photo-etched parts and masks that would otherwise be bought one at a time. The color-printed sheets are aimed at the pilot's cockpit and at the observer's rear compartment, while further parts refine the airbrake, the landing gear bays and the pylons under the wings. Vinyl templates cover the glazing and the wheel hubs.

A note on the build

The rear part of the cockpit is more visible on a model of this type than a modeler expects, because the canopy is usually left open. It therefore pays to start right there and only then to put the nose together. Wipe the metal parts with alcohol before gluing so that no grease from your fingers is left on them.

Desert colors on the model

A paint scheme applied in field conditions holds badly, fades quickly and shows traces of service fluids around the panels. So the build will not start to look convincing until the surface gets an uneven tone and light staining behind the outlets. The metal parts from this package fit such an approach, because the sharp edges of the sheet give shadows and dirt somewhere to settle. Do not overdo the chipping, though: a few months of service did not turn the paint into rags.

The kit of the aircraft and varnishes are not included in the package.