The Blackburn Buccaneer was the only aircraft to escape the Defence White Paper of 1957. The Blackburn B.103 was at first designed for carrier-borne operations, but was also used in an attack role by the RAF. The Buccaneer was not supersonic, but was still a formidable attack aircraft, being able to carry up to 12,000lbs of stores on its under-wing hardpoints & still take-off from a carrier deck. The first 84 aircraft were delivered to the Fleet Air Arm, & after good service were transferred to the RAF. A further 43 aircraft were ordered for the RAF. 

The Buccaneer was modified to carry the Martel Anti-Radar Missile, & was equipped with TIALD (Thermal Imaging And Laser Designation) pods, & was deployed to the Gulf. Most Buccaneers were retired in their desert camouflage. 

Even though the Buccaneer is not supersonic, it is faster than a Phantom or Mirage with a 4,000lb bomb load. The Buccaneer left service in 1994, & was amazingly popular for an aircraft that at first was not wanted. One of the key factors in the Buccaneer's success was the fact that its aerodynamics were well suited to low altitudes, the operating area of almost all attack types (under the radar), making it faster, more manoeuvreable & altogether a better-suited aircraft to the attack role than the Phantom & the Mirage, which were originally designed as fighters. The Buccaneer was a great attack aircraft, & it is fortunate that the B.103 escaped the 1957 White Paper; if it had been cancelled, the British aircraft industry would have suffered the loss of a great aircraft.

Country of Origin: United Kingdom

Type: Two seat attack/naval aircraft

Powerplant: Two 5,105kg (11,225lbs) Rolls-Royce RB.168 Spey Mk101 turbofans

Performance: Max. speed at 61m (200ft) 1,040km/h (646mph); service ceiling 12,190m (40,000ft); range with weapon load 3,701km (2,300 miles)

Weights: Empty 13,608kg (30,000lbs); max. take-off weight 28,123kg (62,000lbs)

Dimensions: Wingspan 13.41m (44ft); length 19.33m (63ft 5in); height 4.97m (16ft 3in); wing area 47.82m² (514.7ft²)

Armaments: Reconnaissance pack, fuel tanks or four 1,000lb (454kg) bombs on inside of rotary bomb door; up to 5,443kg (12,000lb) of stores on four underwing pylons, including Sea Eagle & Harpoon ASMs & Martel anti-radar missiles

Electronics: TIALD (Thermal Imaging And Laser Designation) pod carried in Gulf War, several radio antennae

Operators: UK (RAF & RN), South Africa

History: First flight of production aircraft 5^th of June 1964; involved in Gulf War as target designation & light strike aircraft

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