Brewster SB2A Buccaneer

[Muscateer]

There was a list some years ago in "Aeroplane" magazine UK, of all the
aircraft purchased by the British Purchasing Commission, Washington, in
1939-45
Amongst the many types was a requisition for 600(!!!!) Brewster Buccaneers
to be known as 'Bermuda' with the RAF.
Curious, as the RAF never had a requirement for dive-bombers and the article gives the impression that the Bermuda's were actually delivered.
As I have never seen of them in the forties or thereafter, where did they go.
How do you lose sight of 600 aircraft? Indeed, who ordered them? A."Bomber" Harris was on the Commission at the time. And what about all
the valuable shipping space given over to something that wasn't wanted!

[Bill Walker]

Serials FF419 to FG268 were allocated (750 aircraft), but deliveries to the UK stopped after FF633 (just over 200). Most were converted to target tugs. The RCAF received 3 in January and June 1943 (FF568, FF718 and FF732). They were used briefly for trials, including target towing, but were apparently unpopular. All 3 were instructional airframes or stored by January 1944.

It is important to note that in 1943 the RCAF was desperate for warplanes for the Home War Establishment, because of the fear of more Japanese operations against North America. The fact that they turned down Bermudas may say something about the aircraft's quality and utility.

I suspect the aircraft were ordered by the British "off the drawing board", with the intent of finding something for them to do when they arrived. Clearly, no great use was found.

[Muscateer]

Thanks very much, Mr. Walker!
Even 200 is hard to conceal!
I remember all the air cadet (ATC) squadrons were given redundant airframes for encouragement but these were usually Wapitis or some other
thirties biplane. I never saw anything like a Buccaneer! No doubt the 200
went into Technical Squadrons as instructional airframes. Strange how an
almost identical aircraft, the Vultee Vengeance, was such a success.
Rgds, Muscateer.

[Pilot]

Interesting... a few days ago I have assorted some images of this machine and what catch my eye is that some samples have mixed markings, US and UK, and there was British machines.

Cheers

[Graham Boak]

Originally Posted by Muscateer

Curious, as the RAF never had a requirement for dive-bombers

Yes, they did. They ordered both the Bermuda and the Vengeance - the Bermuda being expected sooner and the Vengeance as its eventual replacement in time for an invasion of the continent of Europe.

The RAF found from desert operations that the fighter bomber was a much cheaper and certainly less vulnerable solution. That the Bermuda was a total flop and the Vengeance initially troublesome probably helped sharpen the mind. Amazingly, there are still some people who believe that this was a bad decision. Clearly they place little value on the lives of RAF aircrew.

[Muscateer]

Thanks to everyone!

I'd still like to know what happened to those that made it to UK. May be

they went straight to the smelter!

Rgds, Muscateer.

[Atcham Tower]

HA Taylor in Test Pilot at War describes a dozen or so Bermudas dispersed in the fields around Shawbury in 1943-44 awaiting modification kits that never came. The MU pilots had to fly them occasionally to prove they were still more or less in working order. Not a popular job! The type seems to have been scattered around various MUs and their SLGs until finally scrapped in 1945.

[Leendert]

There's something about the British (non-)use of the Buccaneer/Bermuda here as well: http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/l...hp/t46436.html

Regards,

Leendert

[Leendert]

You may like this story as well: http://www.adf-serials.com/research/Bermuda.pdf

Regards,

Leendert

[g-1reaper]

162 examples were ordered for use in the Dutch Indies, but as far as I know, these aircraft went to the US Marines - maybe some were transfered to a (possible) British order?