Gulf War Nose Art

A message from David Herriot, Secretary of the Buccaneer Aircrew Association.

The Buccaneer Songbook will be published in March 2008 to coincide with the 50th Anniversary of the First Flight of the Buccaneer.

Published in paperback at circa £10 (exc. P&P), the Buccaneer Songbook contains over 100 songs that were sung throughout the Buccaneer’s career in the Fleet Air Arm, the South African Air Force and the Royal Air Force.

Such songs as: Auntie Mary; The A25; Give Me Buccaneers; When XV Came to Laarbruch; We’re 16 Squadron; The Flag; plus those from the final years at Lossie and many many more from the FAA and RAF plus a number of songs that were sung on 24 Squadron SAAF at Waterkloof Air Base.

The book is illustrated with excellent photographs of the Buccaneer and also includes a number of photographs of the characters who flew it and sang about it. Additionally, each section contains explanations and amusing anecdotes about when, where and why the songs came about and who was responsible for their writing.

The book also includes all the raucous numbers that would be anticipated in a volume that reflects the social life of the people who flew the Buccaneer with such skill and vigour either ‘Off The Deck’, ‘Over The Veldt’ or ‘Over Land and Sea’, in both peacetime and in war. It even includes the complete words of Eskimo Nell!

The Buccaneer Songbook is David Herriot’s ( Secretary of the Buccaneer Aircrew Association) compilation and personal collection of a period in military aviation history that will never be repeated – the Buccaneer was ‘British Through and Through’ and the people who flew it ‘Were the First of the Few!’

Quite naturally, given that it covers a period when virtually anything was fair game, the book contains adult material and is refreshingly non-PC.

Over 80 reserved orders were taken at The Buccaneer Blitz on 7 December 2007 in London and it is now your opportunity to record your interest in purchasing this not to be forgotten part of the Buccaneer’s Heritage that will only be available initially by mail order.

The Buccaneer Songbook is an exceptional collection of memories from a never to be repeated era in British military aviation history and a must for anyone who was ever involved in the day-to-day comings and goings of a Buccaneer squadron.

If you wish to be informed when The Buccaneer Songbook has been published and have a copy reserved for you, please either e-mail or PM the Buccaneer Society -

Contact details can be found here.