Buccaneer Boys

The historian and author of The Sowreys details the history of the British fighter plane and what life was like for its crews flying missions around the world.

Twenty-four aircrew who flew the iconic aircraft with the Fleet Air Arm, the Royal Air Force, and the South African Air Force (SAAF) relate their experiences and affection for the Blackburn Buccaneer. Buccaneer Boys traces the history of the aircraft and the tasks it fulfilled. It also explores the lifestyle of a Buccaneer squadron and the lighthearted side of being a "Buccaneer Boy," in addition to their professionalism and dedication.


Author Graham Pitchfork examines the introduction into service, followed by the air force's maritime tactics and the deployment of two squadrons to Germany in the overland strike role. He details the aircraft's stunning successes at the Red Flag and Maple Flag exercises flown in North America, which took the USAF hierarchy by storm, and devotes attention to the intensive but little-known Bush War operations by 24 SAAF Squadron on the borders of Angola. Two USAF exchange officers who flew Buccaneers share their experiences.


The author then looks at the aircraft's deployment for the Lebanon crisis and the reinforcement exercise to the Falkland Islands. He covers the introduction of new air-to-surface anti-ship missiles right before the Buccaneer left to go to war in the Gulf War where it distinguished itself providing precision laser marking for the Tornado force, in addition to carrying out its own precision bombing attacks. This lavishly illustrated book concludes with accounts of the aircraft's final days in RAF service and some reflections on its impact on maritime and overland air power.