75th anniversary of 16 Squadron RAF Laarbruch 5th May 1990.

[steved]

Working at HQ RAFG gave me the opportunity and access to visit air shows and squadron celebrations that ordinarily I wouldn’t have been able to go to. This was one of a number of RAF squadrons celebrating their 75th anniversary in 1990 and they often painted an aircraft in a special scheme.

HS Dominie T.1 XS729 G 6 FTS RAF


Panavia Tornado GR.1A ZG710 D 13 Sqn RAFG


HS Hawk T.1 XX165 165 CFS RAF


EE Canberra T.17A WH902 EK 360 Sqn RAF


Hunting Jet Provost T.5A XW404 77 1 FTS RAF


Panavia Tornado GR.1 16 Sqn RAFG


Blackburn Buccaneer S.2B XV864 864 16 Sqn RAFG (Engineering/BDR/GI airframe)


Shorts Tucano T.1 ZF207 207


And 2 from the approach to RAF Wildenrath 15th May 1990

McDonnell Douglas Phantom FGR.2 XV394 T 92 Sqn RAFG


McDonnell Douglas Phantom FGR.2 Xv394 T 92 Sqn RAFG


Steve Doyle

[TAFFEVANS]

Hi Steve, very nice crisp scans. I was serving as a Pilot on '16 at the time and was involved in organising the visiting aircraft. The story behind the 'Black Pig', the anniversary Tornado painted overall black was that during the late '70's early '80's one of the Sqn Buccaneers was painted up in the same overall satin/matt black but without official approval apparently. It then flew in formation allegedly over HQ RAFG during a flypast, the proverbial then hit the 'fan! On arrival back at Laarbruch word has it that it disappeared straight into the Hangar for repaint and all photographic evidence destroyed. I remember being shown airborne black & white photos of said aircraft.
Roll on the 75th and the unofficial plan hatched by yours truly and a few other junior personnel was we were going to have the visiting 237 OCU jet painted overall black, sadly ultimately we ran out of time, managed to get some 16 Sqn transfers made for the jet though. The Sqn Cdr during that period was attending the anniversary so we thought it would be a good surprise for him to enter the Hangar and see both 'Black' Tornado/Buccaneer, mind you he was more than made up by the sight of the Black Tornado. Brought some memories back, thank you. Taff Evans
P.S. the Banana (Buccaneer) was far from being a BDR/Eng/GI aircraft - it flew back to Lossie on the Monday!

Tornado GR1 ZA591:(FN) landing at Laarbruch after it's short flight from Wildenrath post painting - 5.4.90

[steved]

Taff. Thanks for the informative reply to my post. I thought when I scanned the Buccaneer slide it looked too good to be in an instructional role, and the photos show that. Being a pilot on 16 Sqn certainly beat my role as IT support for the dreaded Financial Secretariat HQ RAF(G), you may remember New Management Strategy if you were very unlucky to have been “dicked” as the squadron budget manager or deputy. But at least I was able to visit all the stations. My next post will be the 15 Sqn 75th anniversary which took place two weeks later also at RAF Laarbruch.

[Blue Diamond]

A nice set of pics that bring back happy memories of visits to RAFG.

[wizzair]

Thanks for posting these Steve. Like Taff I was on 16 at the time but I was promoted into my next job at midnight on the day after you took the images. I'm glad to see them because I have no memory of the weekend at all! Blame Mr Warsteiner for that.

WiZ

[SW Sky Blue]

Good memories

[paddyboy]

Wonderful shots

That black 'Tonka' is the mutts

Best regards

Paddyboy

[Maurits37]

Again some excellent set of pics!

[Firefighter]

I do have a sneaky picture of the Black Bucc, but taken from the ATC tower.

[TAFFEVANS]

I do have a sneaky picture of the Black Bucc, but taken from the ATC tower.

What are you waiting for then! Regards Taff!

[Firefighter]

Not a brilliant photo as time has taken its toll, but sneakily taken by SWMBO who was AATC.

[TAFFEVANS]

Excellent. Many thanks for that. any idea of the Date/Year? Taff

[Firefighter]

Sorry date escapes me, late 82 or early 83. XT279! scrapped at Lossiemouth 12/05/92.

[teeonefixer]

I see the Black Buccaneer story has also hit the BuccBoys Facebook page and caused much amusement - did it start here first ?

[TAFFEVANS]

I see the Black Buccaneer story has also hit the BuccBoys Facebook page and caused much amusement - did it start here first ?

Do you have a link for that please, regards Taff.

[bigcrow]

Fascinating read & some great scans/photos.. Always liked the black Tornado & never knew they painted a Bucc in the same scheme..

[steved]

I did a bit of research on the black buccaneer and came up with this http://www.blackburn-buccaneer.co.uk/S2 ... XT279.html I guess that the illustrator must have had some photographic reference.

[Blackcat1]

Brilliant colourful set! Love the Saint Tornado!!!

Thanks

[teeonefixer]

Taff, see....

https://www.facebook.com/groups/buccboys/

[philipljackson]

Interesting story

Regards to all

Philip L Jackson