I write this post with the utmost respect to ED, Module Creators/Developers, the members, and readers of this forum, I do hope that there is no offense taken, but, the internet is as the internet does... I am sure I will offend or attract the ire of one or two people... I make no apologies.
A case, or rant whichever way you wish to perceive it, for the H.S. Buccaneer Smk.2B, C and D.
The argument for the viability of a Buccaneer S.2B, C and D module for DCS is a strong one.
Initially designed for the Royal Navy as a Carrier bourne nuclear strike attack aircraft, then later adopted (begrudgingly) by the Royal Air Force.
The RN operated the S2.C variant, the RAF the S2.B, and the South Africans operated the S2.D with RATO packs for high altitude takeoffs.
Whilst being flown by the RN, she flew from HMS Hermes, Victorious, Eagle, and of course, most famously, from HMS Ark Royal.
The Bucc was offered to several nation's airforces, including Germany (very strong interest), Argentina, Canada, and several Middle Eastern nations, amongst others. Alas, we had a rather questionable Prime Minister in power at the time who was very much under the influence of another nation's agenda which contributed greatly towards the lack of export sales.
South Africa operated 16 Buccaneers and their usage & feats with this aircraft are well worth a study.
She was faster (by the book 600+ kts, limited by external stores) at low level (with a FULL war load - cue the retorts from the Tonka community) than the Tornado GR.1 and had a much longer operational range (2000nm without AAR and external fuel tanks). Despite being a nightmare to fly in the circuit, an absolute handful below 300kts the aircraft was an absolute joy to fly. Please, let us not discuss the single engine handling! O.o 16 tons of brute force and ignorance, despite this she was fast and bloody maneuverable.
"The Brick" was the first aircraft to record a "no kill" by opposition forces for an entire Red Flag exercise. Buccaneers at Red Flag, once again, stuff of legend and I would urge anyone remotely interested to read up on 12, 16 and 208 Squadrons exploits during Red Flag deployments.
"Grandma" finally won her spurs (as far as the Brits go) during Operation Grandby (Desert Storm for all you US guys). She enjoyed unexpected success as a laser designation (AN/AVQ-23E Pave Spike) aircraft for the RAF Tornado Gr.1 and later dropped her own LGBs, credited with at least two aircraft kills, albeit parked at the time.
In-flight refueling capable, as well as buddy tanking.
The scope that this aircraft could bring to DCS in terms of suitability, operations, etc, is enormous. The cockpit is an ergonomic nightmare akin the Mirage F-1 thus providing a challenge both in terms of flying and operating this great aircraft resulting in a huge sense of accomplishment to the person who bought it as a module and learned to fly it to any level of competence.
To get ol' Grandma unstuck and airborne off the runway, simple: Just raise the undercarriage.
The Buccaneer was capable of carrying the heaviest and most varied "war load" (16000lb) of any other British strike attack aircraft of its day. It had a rotating bomb bay (RAF S2.B's were later modified with a "Belly Bulge" for extra fuel whilst retaining the revolving internal bomb bay which gave her an overweight, pregnant, appearance. Weaponry included (amongst others):
ALQ-101-8 ECM Pod
AIM-9B (up to the mid to late 70's), G, later the 9L
AN/AVQ-23E Pave Spike Pod
ASM -N7a Bullpup A missile
CBLS pods, 4x HES 20lb Practice Bombs
CPU-123 1000lb (RAF)Paveway II laser-guided bombs
Flight Refuelling Mk20C pod (Buddy Tanking)
Matra/BAE Martel Anti Ship Missile & datalink pod both TV (AJ168) and Anti Radar guided (AS.37)
Mk.114 1000lb GP LD and Mk.117 1000lb Chute Retarded HD bombs
Optional Reconnaissance Pack (crate) comprising 6 F95 cameras and a container consisting of 36 photoflash/flare rounds. This pack or crate was fitted to the internal bomb bay.
Wing mounted 400 Gallon (2000ltr) Slipper tanks
SNEB 115 (Matra) Rocket Pods. RAF: 2-inch 18-round pod. RN: 2 inch 32 round pod
BAe Sea Eagle Anti Shipping missile
WE.177 A/B/C variant Nuclear bomb. Parachute retarded. Yield between .5 to 450kt
The nicknames for the Buccaneer include Banana Jet (due to its unique NACA assisted design shape), Brick (due to its solid flying qualities, and it tended to fall like one when an engine failed), Grandma (RAF name, due to her respected age come the 1990's) as well as a few other unmentionables...
An ode to Grandma:
"Give me a Buccaneer, they are British through and through. The Bananajet, the best we had yet, we are the last of the few!".
So much more could be written here but my old aged arthritis ridden fingers are now sore and my limited brain is now begging for mercy.
This concludes my case for a DCS H.S. (Blackburn) Buccaneer Module
As a final side "semi" rant (please refer to my opening sentence below before continuing further)...
After watching the recent release video of a Tornado Gr.1 etc, for that other (civilian simulator) I will go out on a limb here and risk, perhaps, making myself rather unpopular with this semi-rant of a post... No apologies to anyone.
As a Brit and former owner/operator of a retired (obviously privately owned) Buccaneer S2.B preserved to fast taxi condition, having previously spent a long association (professionally) in and around the Buccaneer & Tornado GR1; I can unequivocally state that the "The MoD won't release details" comment is ambiguous and not entirely true, it is akin to the very real fact that the US DoD will not release certain information, say nothing of the Russian policy (I say good for them, given their circumstances).
There is so much, so much information out there, either via the internet, face to face or voice to voice with people who worked with the aircraft. There are enough airframes available, both in museums and fast taxi conditions, most of whom, I am certain, would be more than willing to assist any would be module creator.
In my humble opinion, this aircraft has a very valid place within DCS, it could/should be brought to DCS, along with the various Lightning & Hunter marks, including the Tornado GR1 (excluding the GR1a and GR4 for all their super secret squirrel updates). There is more than enough info readily available to the general public that would enable these iconic British aircraft to pass ED's muster. If there is enough available information to introduce existing frontline operational European aircraft such as the Typhoon, Mirage 2000 and IDS Tornado (almost identical to the GR1) et al... Well?
Before anyone offers the educated reply: "Well make it yourself!" - If I had the required skills, I would have fielded many "British" US, and other nations aircraft flying in DCS, unfortunately, I do not, I genuinely hold anyone who can in very high regard and esteem.
One could make the valid argument that financially a British aircraft is not viable, well, I would argue this. I am not an F-14 fan by any chalk, F-15E, F-5E, Mirage F-1, Mirage 2000, nor am I a particular lover of the F-16, F-18, Mig-21, etc... I am especially not an F-4 fanbois. But I own (preordered in the case of the F-4) all these aircraft, purely out of interest, to learn the subject matter and to ultimately enjoy this wonderful simulator. Somebody said it here on this forum: "It is the only one of its kind we got..." - In my opinion, British aircraft have a lot to offer any DCS pilot from any nation and sales would follow accordingly.
I feel that after 15 years it is a great shame, for a nation that has contributed so much to the aviation industry in all respects, that the UK's accomplishments are so poorly represented in DCS. Module Developers are missing a great opportunity, especially with such aircraft as the Hawker Hunter.
Having spoken to a couple of 3rd party modders there may be a small number of British aircraft on the horizon as static or AI, this is a great start and I hope their projects come to fruition, I wish them all the very best. May your God bless ALL of you DCS 3rd party modders!!!
P.S. If anyone should ever consider bringing a Bucc to DCS... Please, please do not model the S.1! >.<
P.P.S. If anyone, group or otherwise is considering taking up the challenge of creating a Buccaneer for DCS, I would be more than happy to talk to you and to assist in any way I can, you only need to PM me, I do use Discord.
Edited for a grammatical error, slave to my OCD'ness...!
Is there a way to pursue a pool of modder resources, for example, the likes of the A-4 team, CJS, et al coming together to assist? The Thud is an amazing piece of Miltary Aviation history that really, really should be represented here in DCS. A much underrated aircraft, with one heck of a service life...