Buccaneer Boys

True tales by those who flew the last all-British bomber



Air Commodore Graham Pitchfork


ISBN-13: 9781909166110

223 pages

Colour and Black & White photographs
Hardback




‘Buccaneer Boys’, written by the Naval Eight / 208 Squadron Association’s own Historian, Air Commodore Graham Pitchfork, is an outstanding anthology of some 26 accounts by those who flew the iconic Buccaneer with the Fleet Air Arm, the South African Air Force, the Royal Air Force and, of course, with 208 Squadron.


The introduction into service is fully described, and there are chapters devoted to flying from the Royal Navy’s aircraft carriers. The aircraft’s stunning successes at Red Flag and Maple Flag exercises flown in North America, which took the USAF hierarchy by storm, are covered in detail. The introduction of new air-to-surface anti-ship missiles is covered before the Buccaneer left to go to war in the Gulf where it distinguished itself providing precision laser marking for the Tornado force in addition to carrying out its own precision bombing attacks.


Chapters specifically relating to 208 Squadron include ‘The Buccaneer – A Way of Life’ by Graham Pitchfork; ‘Red Flag’ by David Wilby; ‘The Buccaneer in its Element’ by Rob Wright; ‘Operation Granby – Precision Bombing’ by Bill Cope; ‘Pushing the Bucc to its Limits’ by Benny Benson; and ‘Reflections’ by Graham Smart and Graham Pitchfork.


This lavishly-illustrated book concludes with accounts of the aircraft’s final days in RAF service and reflections on its impact on maritime and overland air power. It is wonderfully written, thoroughly engaging and an absolute must-read for anyone with an interest in aviation.


Published by

Grub Street

4 Rainham Close

London
SW11 6SS


1st printing 2013

Reprinted 2014