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Post by shred on Sept 18, 2013 5:18:57 GMT -5
Developed as a cold war low level subsonic strike aircraft, the prototype first flew in 1958. Production models entered service in 1962 serving with both the Royal Navy Air Force until replaced by the Sea Harrier FRS1 at the end of the 1970's and with the RAF until 1994. These aircraft saw service in the 1991 Gulf War laser designating targets for the Tornado bombers. And this is what low level means: Top speed ? 667mph. And although it could fly very low and fast it's service ceiling was 40,000ft. Armament: Guns: None Hardpoints: 4× under-wing pylon stations & 1× internal rotating bomb bay with a capacity of 12,000 lb (5,443 kg) and provisions to carry combinations of: Rockets: 4× Matra rocket pods with 18× SNEB 68 mm rockets each Missiles: 2× AIM-9 Sidewinders for self-defence or 2× AS-37 Martel missiles or 4× Sea Eagle missile Bombs: Various unguided bombs, Laser-guided bombs, as well as the Red Beard or WE.177 tactical nuclear bombs Other: AN/ALQ-101 ECM protection pod, AN/AVQ-23 Pave Spike Laser designator pod, Buddy refuelling pack or Drop tanks for extended range/loitering time Here's a video of a Buccaneer taking part in the Red Flag exercises in Nevada 1977 against the USAF in a war game.
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Post by peteetongman on Sept 18, 2013 12:15:02 GMT -5
awesome war games footage. must take brass balls to fly like that
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Post by shred on Sept 19, 2013 6:35:38 GMT -5
I'm informed by a friend of mine who is ex forces that the Buccaneers in the exercise were never spotted on radar during the mock bombing runs because they flew so low.
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