Thunder & Lightnings

Blackburn Buccaneer - Survivor 412

S.50 412 - SAAF Waterkloof (gate guard by living quarters), Pretoria, South Africa

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Buccaneer S.50 412 at SAAF Waterkloof, 26th March 2021; Casper Gous

Unlike certain other governments, the South Africans know a bit of history when they see it and have preserved all the Buccaneers that were left when they were finally retired! Above is 412, mounted on a plinth outside the living quarters at the Waterkloof base that was home to the Buccaneers of 24 squadron.

Initially 412 was mounted with gear down, banked to one side and in a nose-down attitude. This didn't impress the ex-Buccaneer crews and it was soon changed to the more dynamic attitude it's in now!

The airframe received a fresh coat of paint in 2012, today, the upper paint work is starting to show age but overall its still in good condition. However its a pity that the Waterkloof base did not put the aircraft's stencilled markings back on again.

Information on this page current as of 26/03/2021, last updated by Jake

Find other photos of 412 on the following sites:

Air-Britain - Airliners.net - Airplane-Pictures.net - flickr.com - WorldAirPics.com - JetPhotos.net - PlanePictures.net