Lockheed/Blackburn KA-8B Buccaneer Tanker

[anthonyp]

Here's an Airfix 1/72 Buccaneer modified into a carrier tanker for the USN.  I like Airfix kits, they go together so easily.  They're a pleasure to build, especially after building two Hobbycrap kits in a row.

I got this idea from looking at the size of the Buccanneer (wow, it's bigger than I thought it was) and what it was operated off of (smaller carriers), and thought the USN and other navies might want a dedicated tanker for use off their older, smaller WWII era carriers.

I took the hose and drogue concept from an Italeri 1/72 KA-6D, and added it to this plane.  The Buccaneer is a more attractive plane than the A-6 (at least to me), and I would have liked to see it in USN service.  I took the refueling probe from the KA-6D and replaced the Buccaneer's with it (the USN would come up with some reason).

This was a fun build.

[anthonyp]

another view

[anthonyp]

underside

[Spey_Phantom]

you must have got alot of free time up your hand, so many models on 1 day.
nice work on this one though  ^_^  

[lancer]

One sweet looking brick Anthony. It looks strangely good in USN colours

[Scooterman]

One sweet looking brick Anthony. It looks strangely good in USN colours

I second that!  

Wow that looks sexy.....    

[Leander]

Now that does look rather nice in those colours, be interesting in the Bomber role with TERs of Mk 82's B)  

[Stephen]

looks great,I had an idea to do that as well except in 1/48.

Stephen  

[elmayerle]

That does look good in thsoe markings.  I can see the USN suing the Intuder probe as a means of marginally simplifying logistics by stocking only one fixed probe design.

[The Rat]

YES, YES, YES!!!

Good old Airfix eh?    

[anthonyp]

Some Airfix kits are stinkers (the repackaged Heller 1/72 Super Entendard comes to mind), but a lot of them are simple and a lot of fun to build.  I've got a couple more in the stash.

   

[The Rat]

Some Airfix kits are stinkers ...

Agreed, try their 1/144th Starfighter.    

But almost anyone from my generation cut their modeling teeth on Airfix in those plastic bags, and when I see them now I get a tingly feeling.    

[John Howling Mouse]

Great scheme.  Love those T-Tails...

 

[AeroplaneDriver]

The USN Buccaneer is one of my favorite whif ideas.  I love this model!

It would be nice to see the progression of the Brick in USN service if the Intruder had not worked out.  VN Iron Hand...Gulf War...Jamming variant....

Not to mention the publishing/motion picture potential of "Flight of the Buccaneer"!


Nick

[AeroplaneDriver]

Some Airfix kits are stinkers ...

Agreed, try their 1/144th Starfighter.    

But almost anyone from my generation cut their modeling teeth on Airfix in those plastic bags, and when I see them now I get a tingly feeling.  

My first model was an Airfix Spitfire in a bag with its own little tubelet of glue, c1976.  Ahhh...memories...