Blackburn Buccaneer Society

A big thank you to Ken Letham, who actually painted the pictures and for allowing us to show these superb pictures of the Buccaneers during the Gulf War.

I must also say a big thank you John Cotterill for providing the pictures in digital format.

For those of you not of a military background, a bit of pre amble on nose art on aircraft.

During normal peace time operations, the Groundcrew go about their day to day tasks of keeping the aircraft flying and all the aircraft are painted as per the guidance laid down in the appropriate aircraft servicing manual.

When the order is given to send the crews and aircraft into harms way, certain Groundcrew who have a 'certain' talent, come to the fore and what you see on the following pages is the result.

Why do they do it ?

Simple answer - It is the Groundcrews' way of saying this is 'our' aircraft and please bring it back.

The aircrew I have talked to when this artistry appears, appreciate what the Groundcrew are doing and the effort it takes to keep the aircraft serviceable to enable them to carry out their mission.

Does it raise morale ? You betcha and does more for espre de core than anything I know on this earth.

The following pages are dedicated to the Groundcrew of the Royal Air Force. In my opinion, the finest bunch of people I have had the pleasure and honour to work with and prove the old saying on more than one occasion - "The impossible we can do, Miracles we can do next day"

Am I biased, yep, but I know what its like to keep aircraft flying in difficult, impossible and all weather conditions, but that is another story.

Double click on Fiona to go to the pages.