Airfix S.2B kit #03055 intended for a RAF version.
 

The RAF machines were ex-FAA aircraft and it seems that some structural re-enforcements were made with some small externally visible plates and strakes on the airframe. But these are not seen in the kit which has rather simplified external details. 

There are about 60 parts in the kit in light grey plastic. The bomb bay can be displayed with rotating door open.

This kit has the correct S.2B larger intakes and is a new kit as compared with their old "Mk.1" NA 39. The slipper tanks look unfortunately quite inaccurate. 

Decals varied per kit release, here the decals are seen in my box:

The model will be made with some improvements such a new cockpit, improved undercarriage and some other small updates. 

First, the kit has raised panel lines. These were re-scribed and than sanded off with an OLFA scriber. 

Next the undeep cockpit tub was removed, a new cockpit of plastic card with better seats to be made later on.

The stabilizer top fairings can be sanded somewhat more a correct shape, see photos of the real aircraft. 

The Buccaneer S.2B can be seen with small main wing tips with the "blown" ailerons extending to the ends or with the slightly bigger straight wing tips as provided in the kit. The kit parts were left unchanged.
 

The tail arrester hook bay with its retractable bumper is a bit shallow so was cutt out and deepened. 

As the pair of inboard flaps always droop down when a Buccaneer is at rest on the ground, each inboard trailing edge flap was thus cutt out using a fine razor saw.

Wheel bays will benefit with adding some details such as piping and hydraulics with plastic strips later on.

The main gear will also benefit by doing some  improvement. Alternatively, metal Aeroclub #V092 replacement set can be purchased as I did. (Alternatively drill a hole above each wheel and carve a bit a structure with an X-acto knife).

The characteristic rear airbrakes were cut-off and detailed with some plastic card. They have characteristic holes that were drilled out. 

The real Buccaneer nose has a complex curved nose shape. The Airfix kit nose is not accurately shaped. But through sanding the kit nose after it was assembled with ample putty applied an acceptable result can be obtained. It will take some work with the "eyeball" but the shape will be much better. (there was also an aftermarket resin nose from Model Works available). 

In the nose, add some 15 grams of weight to avoid 'tail sitting". 

The weapons / stores of the kit are a bit rough and the slipper tanks are inaccurate in shape. I simply left them off as Buccaneers could also fly without them though at the cost of "range". 

Now, the main Airfix S.2b kit assembly was ready. 

Some putty was added at the rotary bomb bay door, nose, wing fold gaps and so on. Sanded when dried, followed by a first coat of light grey primer paint (Revell 75 being very good for this) was sprayed on to check for any assembly flaws. 

As a later S.2B of the Royal Navy of 809 Squadron would be made next, an overall Extra Dark Sea Grey BSC: 640 coat was applied using Humbrol enamel paint # 123. Decals will come mainly from ModelDecal set #20

   lower and upper views

The model, still with a fully empty "cockpit area". That needs detailling!

The deepened Buccaneer S.2B model cockpit got a floor, some side consoles and instrument panels made from plastic card. I used the kit seats but added some details from scrap to suggest the MB mk.6 seats.

An Aeroclub vacu canopy #C011 was also purchased which improves the looks of the model. The windshield is seen here. Also, a internal blast shield was added as I replaced the rather thick kit part in between the aft and forward cockpits. 

The airbrakes at the fuselage rear end were also fitted , these were previously detailed. 

Aeroclub metal gear was also added.

Some details were added to the internal bay outside doors and pylons.

Also note the small details added such as the flap hinges and ARI RWR stubs below the leading edge. These were made from plastic rod and added.

Interesting to see here are the different wing tip shapes seen on Buccaneers. Most later S.2B  Buccaneers got some electrical equipment boxes fitted in the slightly bigger wing tips.  (The white tip seen above in the photo is the smaller tip seen in the old Airfix Buccaneer "mk.1" e.g. pre-production NA 39 kit).

Gears seen fitted ...

ModelDecal set #20 was the main source for the decals.  I had some trouble with the glue from these decals, carefully remove as much as possible the brownish glue before putting the decal on the model. I used Johnson Future varnish as a sort of glue in stead. 

Seen in the photo are also a few spare decals from a RAF Matchbox kit. 

A yellow marking line can seen in front of inboard flaps and blown ailerons, this was added cut from yellow decal from Xtradecal. The leading edges of wing and stabilizer got a bare metal foil edge. (NOTE: on hind sight, later on the inboard leading edge section was painted in grey, leaving a slice of metal; not seen here in the photos).

Detailling of some stencilling was done with black and white paint using a tooth pick.

The Buccaneer in the clean configuration with no stores added. 

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