Last Flight Limited Edition Flown Prints

Special Edition Print No SP35
25 Years of RAF Buccaneers 1969 - 1994
BUCCANEER S2B XX894
208 Squadron RAF Lossiemouth
(Size 11½" x 17¼")

Limited to ONLY 250 Signed & Flown

250 SQUADRON PRINTS of BUCCANEER XX894
were flown on the last ever operational sortie of Buccaneer XX894

Sqn Print SP35 '25 Years of RAF Buccaneers' featuring XX894 208 Sqn RAF Lossiemouth
Beautifully illustrated in colour and featuring the Sqn crests of all Air Force units to fly
the Buccaneer. This special print represents the Royal Air Force and the S2B version


 

The final sortie was made on the 29th March 1994 by pilot Flt Lt Steve Reeves and navigator Flt Lt Neil Devine.
Taking off from RAF Lossiemouth at 0935 hrs, '894' stayed low along the length of the runway for a photograph (see right) by photographer Andrew Brooks. This was Flt Lt Reeves last ever flight in a Buccaneer.

Climbing away into the blue skies over Scotland, the two airmen, as they headed south, prepared for their tactical sortie.
The mission....
A simulated tank attack at RAF Spadeadam, the massive electronics warfare range in Cumbria, frequently used by NATO's Airforces.

Positioned some miles out from Spadeadam, the Buccaneer, gaining permission from the range controller, turned inbound for its attack. The speed rapidly increasing to 580 kts and dropping down to very low-level, Flt Lt Reeves at the controls changed course regularly, violently throwing '894' to the left then to the right in an attempt to evade the extensive arsenal of Warsaw Pact radar systems currently in use at Spadeadam.

Each one desperately trying to detect the in-bound target. If locked-on, a SAM (surface to air) missile would be released (if this were for real!) from its launch pad and there would be little or no chance of escape. '894' screamed over the range fast and low giving the SAM's little chance to acquire the hostile inbound.
Then, sighting their target, a convoy of Russian built T-62 tanks, the two crew were guided straight in by an FAC (forward air controller) on the ground. Hugging the terrain, '894' blasted over the top of the tanks. This would have clearly been total destruction for any enemy, if this were for real.

SIGNED PRINTS FLOWN ONBOARD
XX894 takes off on her last ever operational sortie before retirement 29/3/94. Pints Flown Onboard
© Andrew Brooks
Flt Lt Steve Reeves and Flt Lt Neil Devine
proudly pose next to Buccaneer XX894 after
her final operational sortie 29th March 1994
Disappearing low-level again over the Cumbrian hills after this successful attack, XX894 gained height and headed for Carlisle Airport. With permission granted from ATC The 'Bucc' once more performed a very impressive attack, no tanks this time, but an airfield full of aircraft. A familiar target for this particular Buccaneer, as it was not so long ago XX894 was attacking
airfields for real during the Gulf war!

One such occasion was on the 29th February 1991. Flown by Flt Lt John McCrea and Flt Lt Phil Walters.
XX894 laser designated for a Tornado GR-1, (the last Buccaneer / Tornado LGB sortie of the war) an ammunition dump on the El Taqqadam airfield near Baghdad. The target was completely destroyed and can be clearly seen on the video, 'Buccaneer The Last British Bomber'. This impressive record continued and stretched to seven successful sorties throughout the conflict.


Leaving a few smiling faces back in Carlisle. XX894 headed north towards friendlier skies!...... Soon calling up on Lossie's approach frequency, Flt Lt Steve Reeves announced his intention to land.

On a glorious sunny morning back at Lossiemouth. Gulf veteran XX894 landed at 1120 hrs and thus brought to an end a very worthy operational life. After disembarking Flt Lt Steve Reeves and Flt Lt Neil Devine gave the formidable lady a very deserved pat, and posed for a photograph beside '894' holding the Limited Edition Prints. (See left Photo included.)

 

A POTTED HISTORY

Each one of these specially packaged collectors items comes with...

A XX894 (SP35) Sqn Print flown onboard the final operational sortie of XX894
on 29th March 1994 Signed
by the Aircrew who flew this Flight
FLT LT STEVE REEVES and FLT LT NEIL DEVINE

A special Farewell Buccaneer Certificate of Authenticity
Signed and Numbered by the Aircrew who flew the Flight
FLT LT STEVE REEVES and FLT LT NEIL DEVINE

A copy of the Original Authorisation Sheet
(Flight Plan), from the flight.

A Photograph of FLT LT STEVE REEVES and FLT LT NEIL DEVINE
standing beside XX894 shortly after landing holding the Flown Prints,
(Steve Reeves's last 'bucc' flight see above)


Please note: This Print has SOLD OUT and is only available on Secondary Market
Please contact us for details if interested if any become available?


Blackburn Buccaneer Sqn Print XX894

Special Edition Print No SP35
25 Years of RAF Buccaneers 1969 - 1994
BUCCANEER S2B XX894
208 Squadron RAF Lossiemouth


Print size: 11½" x 17¼" 

Flown and Signed by Steve Reeves and Neil Devine
Price: £45.00 


If YOU have ever been connected with the Buccaneer
or have anything to contribute to the site in way of tales, stories etc then
PLEASE email me, Andrew

Also if you are ex aircrew, we can put you in touch with the BAA
(Buccaneer Aircrew Association)

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