BUCCANEER BOMBER MAIN UNDERCARRIAGE GROUND LOCK - FULLY SIGNED BY THOSE WHO FLEW AND MAINTAINED IT

On its own this is an extremely rare and very unusual item.  However, the approaching 35th anniversary of the type's highly successful combat debut together with the signatures of those who flew and maintained her on some VERY special occasions makes it all the more interesting, special and sought-after.

The Ground Lock was used - for those who don't know - as a safety system to prevent the aircraft's undercarriage 'folding' (collapsing) on the ground.  Obviously it was removed before flight.  To warn personnel, especially the Aircrew, that a Ground Lock was in place (and should be removed before flight) it was fitted with a Warning Flag.  

The Warning Flag on this Lock has been signed by 4 Buccaneer Crews and one Engineering Officer, as follows:

Group Captain Tom Eeles, former Commanding Officer of and longest serving aircrew on 237 Operational Conversion Unit, and a Buccaneer ejectee.

Squadron Leader Bob Poots, flew Buccaneer Laser Guided Bomb (LGB) operations over Beirut in Operation Pulsator (1983), and also a Buccaneer ejectee.

Squadron Leader Rick Phillips, undertook last jet catapult launch from a UK aircraft carrier (HMS Ark Royal), and flew Buccaneer combat missions over Iraq during Gulf War 1.

Commander Ken MacKenzie, Flew Buccs with the RAF's 12 Sqn and was Executive Officer (XO) 809 Naval Air Squadron (NAS) 1976-78, and with Rick Phillips undertook the last jet catapult launch from a UK aircraft carrier.

Flight Lieutenant Pete John, part of the only 1st tourist strike (nuclear) crew on 809 NAS and carried out last arrested jet landing on UK aircraft carrier.  Also flew over 100 day and night sorties for 809 NAS.

Squadron Leader Terry Cook, part of the only 1st tourist strike (nuclear) crew on 809 NAS on the last commission of HMS Ark Royal, and flew first ever Buccaneer on AAFCE (Allied Air Forces Central Europe) Tactical Leadership Programme (TLP).

Group Captain Nigel Huckins, Officer Commanding 208 Sqn, the last UK Buccaneer Sqn 1992 – 1994, and led the final Buccaneer farewell flypast at RAF Lossiemouth. 

Wing Commander J J Parsons, led the final ever in-service Buccaneer flypast, formally handing the role to Tornado GR1, and flew the very last UK Buccaneer flight - lasting just 92 secs (brakes-off to touchdown).

Squadron Leader Bert Neo, 1st RAF Buccaneer Junior Engineering Officer (JEngO) and later Senior EngO, intimately involved in overseeing final engineering work & authorisation to re-start flying after the Buccaneer fleet grounding.

So, if you've seen Top Gun, these guys have been described as 'Maverick's role models'.

The Lock comes with a signed Certificate of Authenticity (see photos) which provides slightly more detail of the signatories, their experience and the 'occasions'.

The Buccaneer, as I suspect most of you know, was the last all-British bomber and it has an enviable reputation for its ability to fly low, fast, for long distances and to hit the target.  Originally developed for the RN in the late 1950's, it was then adopted by the RAF in the very late 1960's.  The type saw operational service over Beirut in 1983 and then, again, over Iraq in 1991.  In that latter operation - almost 35 years ago - the Buccaneers provided laser designation for precision bombing by RAF Tornados and the Buccaneers themselves.

The Lock comes in original MoD packaging - wax paper, box, labels etc and is truly genuine.  It will be sent in that packing, which will then be protected inside a 2nd box to preserve the original MoD packaging.

You will NOW SEE see that the  Flag shown on the photo is FULLY SIGNED by all those named in the Certificate.

By its very nature the item is quite heavy and weighs 1.7kg, so I've included postage in the price.  It isn't, though, overly large (see photo) so will not be out of place on a shelf with other memorabilia or as a paper weight.

Thanks for looking, thanks for bidding and please ask any questions you want.