Buccaneer Ops Photo Shoot at Cotswold airport

Join us with the the Buccaneer Aviation Group at Cotswold Airport for a specially arranged afternoon and evening shoot with COAP featuring at least two former RAF Buccaneers. The programme will include an engine run, carefully staged operational scenarios and a varied selection of clean aircraft compositions. Re-enactors wearing historically appropriate uniforms and equipment will portray Buccaneer pilots, observers and ground personnel, helping us recreate scenes inspired by the aircraft’s military career.

After registration, participants will receive an essential airside safety briefing and an introduction to the afternoon’s programme. The precise order of aircraft movements and staged scenes will remain flexible to accommodate the weather, available light and TBAG’s operational requirements.

Daylight photography
Photography will begin using the available autumn daylight.
The two principal Buccaneers will be presented in a variety of individual and combined arrangements. Initial opportunities will include clean aircraft portraits, wider views and detailed photography without re-enactors. Aircrew and ground personnel will then be introduced to create a series of operational scenes. These will include pilots and observers preparing for a sortie, ground crew working around the aircraft and general flight-line activity.

Buccaneer engine run
The programme will include a live engine run by one of TBAG’s Buccaneers. This will provide opportunities to photograph the aircraft with its engines operating and systems alive. The exact content of the run will be determined by TBAG and will depend upon aircraft serviceability, airfield restrictions and operational requirements.
An engine run has been confirmed, but a taxi run should not be assumed.
Sunset and blue-hour photography
As the afternoon light fades, photography will concentrate on the transition through sunset into the blue hour. External lighting will be introduced progressively, balancing the illuminated aircraft and re-enactors against the remaining colour in the sky. Cockpit and internal lighting will also be used where aircraft access, serviceability and safety arrangements permit. This should provide opportunities for both wider environmental images and tighter studies of the cockpit and crew.


Night photography
Once darkness has fallen, the shoot will continue under COAP lighting. The final scenarios will include a mixture of clean aircraft views and staged operational scenes with pilots and ground personnel. Aircraft positions, re-enactor placement and lighting will be adjusted during the evening to provide a varied collection of images.
Photography is scheduled to conclude at approximately 19:30

Aircraft
The event is expected to include at least two Buccaneers supplied by The Buccaneer Aviation Group. TBAG’s principal aircraft are:
Buccaneer S.2B XX894
Buccaneer S.2B XW544
Aircraft participation, appearance, configuration and serviceability remain subject to operational requirements.

Engine run
A Buccaneer engine run is included in the planned programme.
The aircraft will be loud, and suitable hearing protection is strongly recommended.
Participants must remain within the designated viewing area and follow instructions from TBAG, COAP and airfield personnel.
The engine run is intended to be stationary. A taxi run, aircraft movement under power or operation of particular hydraulic systems should not be assumed unless confirmed on the day.

Photography
The session will include:
- Individual aircraft portraits
- Two-aircraft compositions
- Clean scenes without personnel
- Pilot and observer scenarios
- Ground crew and flight-line scenes


- Engine-run photography
- Sunset and blue-hour images
- Externally illuminated night scenes
- Cockpit and internal lighting where available

This is a joint shoot with the Centre of Aviation Photography (COAP) and TimeLine Events.