Toms' early Buccaneer

[TomW]

So my first entry into this GB is the build I had already planned to do; namely turning an Airfix Buccaneer S.2B back into an S.1 using the following bits:










It'll consist of the Airfix base kit plus Heritage resin S.1 conversion, Aeroclub white metal seats, undercarriage and detail parts. I've also got a set of replacement tailplanes and noses, a P/E boarding ladder set and decals from Model Alliance.

This is a conversion I've been planning for a while and one I'm really looking forward to

Regards

Tom

[JamesPerrin]

I've got exactly the same conv planned with the Heritage parts so once again you've beat me to it!

[PaulBradley]

Another interesting build!

[TomW]

I've got exactly the same conv planned with the Heritage parts so once again you've beat me to it!

I might have beaten you to the start line James but given my very poor record in GB's over the last few years I wouldn't be surprised if you finish it first

Although knowing the tale of your Matchbox Wessex I might be safe

Regards

Tom

[Martin R]

Oooh! Lots of AM.

Regards

Martin

[TomW]

And we're off! Late as usual

So, first things first I taped the fuselage halves together so I could start marking out the bits to cut off:







Then I got all the bits needed for the first stage of surgery together:







Next the bench got a bit messy as I broke in my new razor saw and cut out the intakes:







I didn't realise just how much smaller the DH Gyron engine intakes were. The difference is most noticeable from the front:







Both done:







I had to stop hacking bits off at this point because the fuselage was getting a bit bendy, so I fitted the bomb bay insert and left things to dry:







Once everything is cured I'll make a start on hacking up the exhausts

Regards

Tom

[DavidWomby]

They look a good fit!

David

[AndrewR]

Quite a difference in the jet intakes!

[JamesPerrin]

Cool.

I'm still not sure why there are new exhausts beyond the internals, as they looked the same as the old ones. If just the former may be less work to just line them myself.

[TomW]

Thanks chaps If I didn't have a spare base kit in the stash I might have chickened out of this conversion, mainly because the instructions that come with the conversion are a single piece of A4 that says 'Cut out old parts according to pictures and fit replacements as shown' along with three fuzzy images

The parts are numbered 1 and 2 but no information is provided as to which side is which. James for your future information 1 equals Port and parts 2 are for Starboard.

Cool.

I'm still not sure why there are new exhausts beyond the internals, as they looked the same as the old ones. If just the former may be less work to just line them myself.

They're a subtlety different profile James and the jetblast efflux deflecting scallops on the rear fuselage are a different size and shape. Compare the replacement parts at the rear panel/cut line and you'll see what I mean worth the effort to cut out and swap I think.


I think I'm going to order some P/E for the otherwise blank cockpit, mainly because I forgot that these older editions of the Buccaneer kit lack the instrument decals provided in the last Op Granby boxing and if I'm making this much effort to improve the base kit I might as well go the whole hog.

Regards

Tom

[Martin R]

Tom

Cracking work!

Regards

Martin

[SJPONeill]

...the instructions that come with the conversion are a single piece of A4 that says 'Cut out old parts according to pictures and fit replacements as shown' along with three fuzzy images

Sounds like the same instructions that came with their 1/32 Vulcan...

Still, you are overcoming all these challenges very well and are on track for a great finished result...

[AndrewR]

...the instructions that come with the conversion are a single piece of A4 that says 'Cut out old parts according to pictures and fit replacements as shown' along with three fuzzy images

Sounds like the same instructions that came with their 1/32 Vulcan...

Still, you are overcoming all these challenges very well and are on track for a great finished result...

I am very glad that my Freightdog conversion set comes with a very comprehensive instruction set, including exactly where to remove bits from the basic kit.

[Martin R]

Looking forward to seeing more of this.

For an S2B, would you use Airfix or Matchbox as the starting point? Also, wouldn't it be cool if Airfix brought out a new brick.

Regards

Martin

[JamesPerrin]

They're a subtlety different profile James and the jetblast efflux deflecting scallops on the rear fuselage are a different size and shape. Compare the replacement parts at the rear panel/cut line and you'll see what I mean worth the effort to cut out and swap I think.

Thanks Tom, I'd remembered there being another conv from long ago that didn't replace the exhausts.