AFTERWARDS
In 1992 I handed over to the last Buccaneer Squadron Commander Nigel Huckins.
The Buccaneer OCU had by then been closed, and aircrew conversion to type was carried out on 208 Sqn. Nigel believes that it was a highly
efficient method of training, in that some conversion training could be carried out within normal squadron training formations, rather than specially generated ones, and submitted a paper on that subject. 2 pilots achieved successful conversion to type and went on to achieve front-line full status on the Squadron.
However, the age of the Buccaneer was made very evident during this period. The tragic loss of Jim Henderson and Clive Lambourne (both experienced and skilful operators) was attributed to a catastrophic malfunction of a rudder powered-flying-control-unit at very high speed and very low-level. In this particular accident we were lucky to find the rudder PFCU ram at an extension which was way beyond any possible pilot input. We lost a very capable and experienced crew on a beautiful day which posed no apparent difficulties. There were similarities in this fatal accident to other previous accidents and incidents in past years and there had been recent concern about possible failure of the cable lines which actuated the controls. Shortly afterwards John Fraser did a very good job of bringing his aircraft home safely with one half of his airbrake literally hanging off following failure of the supporting rear fuselage structure. Many of us believed that the ‘Bucc’ could have gone on for years more; but perhaps it was for the best that The ‘Bucc’ stopped when it did.
OC 208 Sqn, Nigel Huckins and his staff gave the Buccaneer and all the ‘Oldies’ a spectacular send-off in a spectacular weekend (not to mention some spectacular hang-overs!) and that was THE END.
And 208 Sqn moved on to fly the Hawk - but that is another story.
