Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.
|
Author |
Message |
PapaJoe
Joined: 09 Nov 2020 Posts: 73 Location: Massachusetts USA
|
Posted: Mon Jan 04, 2021 3:23 am Post subject: Blackburn Buccaneer Low-Level |
|
|
Many years ago, I was participating in a multinational exercise that included a squadron of RAF Buccaneers running their low-level attack mission. My F-106 squadron had trained for low-level intercepts, so this was an opportunity to test our skills against a highly proficient, low-altitude adversary.
Now, one must admit the Buccaneer is not a fetching airplane . . . warlike and fierce, but just not that good looking. So, our boys would joke with the Buccaneer crews that their best defense was that no adversary could gaze upon their airplane for more than a few seconds before having to avert his eyes or risk becoming airsick. This was not disrespect, just light-heated banter between competing squadrons.
Day One of the exercise dawned clear with bright sunshine. My flight of two interceptors was tasked with protecting an airfield from an expected low-level threat. We operated over flat desert terrain making it difficult to judge altitude using outside references on the ground.
As the attack commenced, we lit our afterburners and pointed our fighters toward the threat. Within a short time, I spotted a Buccaneer rocketing across the desert surface kicking up a rooster-tail of dust. I rolled in behind him and dropped down to his altitude to try for a "kill". Just then, we both crossed a narrow highway running perpendicular to our flight path. We were just above the pavement. Surprised by how low we were, I instinctively pulled up a couple of hundred feet. The Buccaneer didn't climb at all, but roared off down in the weeds. I could not catch him. I had missed the shot. Needless to say, my mistake cost me many RAF pints at the Fighter Bar that evening.
One last note. At the start of each mass mission debriefing, the Buccaneer Squadron would march into the auditorium on their knees singing:
"Hi-Ho, Hi-Ho, it's off to work we go. We fly so low but we don't drink slow, Hi-Ho, Hi-Ho." Great stuff. _________________ Owned: 1917 Ford Model T Touring
1929 Ford Model A Roadster
1967 Harley (Aermacchi) Sprint SS
Coveted: Ford Model Y Saloon |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Keith D
Joined: 16 Oct 2008 Posts: 1130 Location: Upper Swan, Western Australia
|
Posted: Mon Jan 04, 2021 6:06 am Post subject: |
|
|
Papa Joe
Please keep the fabulous stories coming! I suspect quite a few of our members are pilots or ex-pilots.
Keith _________________ 1926 Chrysler 60 tourer
1932 Austin Seven RN long wheelbase box sedan
1950 Austin A40 tourer
1999 BMW Z3
Its weird being the same age as old people.
You are either part of the problem or part of the solution |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Rick Site Admin
Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 22458 Location: UK
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
peter scott
Joined: 18 Dec 2007 Posts: 7124 Location: Edinburgh
|
Posted: Mon Jan 04, 2021 10:42 am Post subject: |
|
|
Keith D wrote: | Papa Joe
Please keep the fabulous stories coming! I suspect quite a few of our members are pilots or ex-pilots.
Keith |
+1
I guess it was more scary for you following in his dust storm wake whilst he had a clear view.
Peter _________________ http://www.nostalgiatech.co.uk
1939 SS Jaguar 2 1/2 litre saloon |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Penguin45
Joined: 28 Jul 2014 Posts: 382 Location: Padiham
|
Posted: Mon Jan 04, 2021 10:59 am Post subject: |
|
|
My late chum David was a Buc pilot. He would gleefully tell people that after being shot off the catapult on Ark Royal, they would retract the wheels and descend to cruising height!
Chris. _________________ '67 Wolseley MkI 18/85, '70 Austin MkII 1800 The Landcrab Forum. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
|
php BB powered © php BB Grp.
|