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Upcoming Airfix release to honour RAF Lossiemouth's heritage


By David Porter

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An iconic aircraft since its introduction in the early 1960s, the Blackburn Buccaneer is synonymous with Moray and RAF Lossiemouth.

Airfix are set to immortalise two RAF Lossiemouth aircraft
Airfix are set to immortalise two RAF Lossiemouth aircraft

Model kit manufacturer Airfix has previously unveiled plans for a newly tooled kit of the plane in 1/48, to the delight of modelling enthusiasts the world over.

This week the company revealed the details of the decal options and colour schemes, two of which will showcase aircraft that spent part of their active service in Moray.

The first aircraft of its type to be developed from the outset as an ‘under radar’ naval strike jet, the Buccaneer had to possess excellent performance at low altitudes, in addition to having the capability to deliver nuclear munitions onto their intended target if and when required.

Considered the most cost effective solution to counter the Soviet Navy's new Sverdlov Class Cruisers the jet was capable of operating from the decks of Britain's relatively small aircraft carriers.

Blackburn Buccaneer S.2C XV340 of No.809 Naval Air Squadron is depicted when it was based at Royal Naval Air Station Lossiemouth in 1970.

Built by Hawker Siddeley Aviation during 1967, Buccaneer S.2 XV340 was delivered to the Fleet Air Arm on April 26, 1967, before being allocated to No.809 Naval Air Squadron at Lossiemouth to proudly wear the unit's 'Immortal Phoenix' crest on its tail.

Initially at Lossiemouth it spent two years aboard HMS Hermes and time on HMS Ark Royal arriving into the care of No.16 Squadron RAF in May 1973 and was grounded in February 1980 ending its days as a target on the MOD's firing ranges at Pendine Sands in South Wales.

Airfix are set to immortalise two RAF Lossiemouth aircraft
Airfix are set to immortalise two RAF Lossiemouth aircraft

Blackburn Buccaneer S.2C XV867, No.803 Naval Air Squadron, Royal Naval Air Station is depicted at Lossiemouth in 1969.

XV867 was constructed as an S.2 variant at Brough during 1968 and taken on charge with the Royal Navy at the beginning of December 1968, delivered to the Naval Air Support Unit at RNAS Lossiemouth.

Remaining in service for a considerable time, on September 10, 1993, the aircraft suffered an undercarriage collapse at RAF Leeming and was beyond economical repair.

Airfix are set to immortalise two RAF Lossiemouth aircraft
Airfix are set to immortalise two RAF Lossiemouth aircraft

The nose section was sold into private ownership and restored to an impressive condition, with its owner placing it on loan with the Morayvia Aviation Museum at Kinloss for public display.

Details of the kit can be found at https://uk.airfix.com/


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