The company’s popular kit of the RAF Buccaneer has been reissued with two schemes for airframes in the First Gulf War.
If you were a Buccaneer fan during 2019 you’d have been very excited indeed in waiting for Airfix’s new-tool kit to be released. And it didn’t disappoint. The initial product (S.2C) was followed in 2020 by the RAF S.2B boxing, with new parts and decals. That latter tooling is now available again in fresh packaging (A06022A) and with new decals for two ‘desert pink’ Buccaneers. The livery options, both for S.2Bs based at Muharraq, Bahrain in January-March 1991 during Operation Granby, are:
• XW533/A Fiona Miss Jolly Roger
• XV863/S Sea Witch Debbie
All the styrene parts are the same and weaponry includes Paveway II laser-guided bombs and a Pave Spike designator pod, plus an excellent AIM-9L Sidewinder with launch rail moulded in situ on the outboard underwing pylon. An AN/ALQ-101 electronic countermeasures pod is also supplied, along with underwing slipper tanks.
Order Key Publishing's Airfix Buccaneer modelling bookzine
Common benefits of all Airfix 1/72 new-tool Buccaneers are optional open/ closed airbrakes, staggered ejection seat positions as per the real aircraft – and the ability to pose the wings folded. Undercarriage and wheel bay detail is notable too. The new Gulf War boxing is available direct from Airfix at £33.99, but also the company’s official stockists.
