LAST RAF HUNTERS
A quarter of a century ago, the RAF retired its final Hawker Hunters from one of the roles the type was never intended for, but performed anyway — that of surrogate trainer for the Buccaneer
Not building a dual-control trainer version of the Blackburn Buccaneer might seem a strange move. The heavy maritime strike aircraft was a complex beast, with certain characteristics and systems that needed time to master. However, the bottom line was that the budget for the original Royal Navy programme did not stretch to a twinstick derivative. Another means of training would have to be found.
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