Buccaneer S2 Pic GalleryThe Buccaneer S2 corrected several of the problems of the S1, in particular replacement of the Gyron Junior turbojets for much more powerful Rolls Royce Spey (for which the engine inlets were enlarged, allowing easy differentiation between the two types). Other improvements included strengthened wings (allowing a greater bomb load) and an inflight-refueling probe, although the lack of an inertial navigation system was not corrected. The first S2 prototype, converted from an S1, flew on 17th May 1963 with the first production S2 flying in June 1964 and entering service in 1965. The last production aircraft was delivered in December 1968.

The S2 was probably the best aircraft ever built for the RN and one of the greatest strike aircraft of all time. It remained in RN service until December 1978 when HMS Ark Royal was decommissioned. Some aircraft were transferred to the RAF when the RN's fleet carriers were phased out during the 1970's.

84 S2 were built for the Royal Navy (the S2 was also built for the RAF). No S1, other than the prototype, were converted.

Country of origin: U.K.
Type: Attack plane
Crew: Two
Span: 13.41 m (44ft)
Length: 19.33 m (63ft 5in)
Height: 4.95 m (16ft 3 in)
Wing Area: 47.83 sq.m (514.7 sq.ft)
Empty weight: 13608 kg (30,000 lb)
Maximum Take-off: 28123 kg (62,000 lb)
Powerplant: two Rolls Royce Spey RB168-1A Mk 101 turbojets - 5035 kg (11,100 lb) thrust each.
Maximum speed: 691 mph (1112 kph, 600 kt)
Ceiling: 40,000 ft (9144 m)
Armament: Internal bomb bay for 4 1000lb or 500lb bombs or 1 nuclear bomb ; 4 underwing pylons for Bullpup or Martel AGMs, Sidewinder AAMs, 12000lbs of bombs (500lb or 1000lb, up to 3 per pylon) or drop tanks (inner two pylons only)

Back