Airfix kit came in 1960 with very first kit #384 of the Buccaneer, and this kit is very simple. On the box is stated Mk.1 but actually it is not a S.1 but an early pre-production NA 39. Typical of the NA 39 are the longer exhaust pipes, the lack of the area ruling fairings on top of the horizontal stabilizer and the small intakes.

 

[ NOTE: If you want to use this old Airfix kit for a S.1B / mk.1 variant, you need thus to reduce the exhaust pipes fairing in length and make these more tapered at the exhausts. The resulting gap needs to be closed. As noted, the Airfix kit is for a pre-production NA 39 aircraft. On this old kit you will find than that the fuselage mould is not symmetrical, the left engine section being bulkier than the right section). Next, you will need to add the fairings on top of the stabilizer. But the small intakes are correct also for the S.1. Another smaller correction is replacing the air brakes strakes. And removing the tail hook doors.].

For the FAA modelling project it was decided to go for the later S.2B variant as used by the Royal Navy. 

UPDATE NOTE:  end 2019 Airfix came with a brand new state of the art kit #A06021 for a 1/72 Buccaneer S.2C. 

For this model, the older Airfix S.2B kit #03055 released in 1989 (intended for a RAF version) was used. These RAF machines are ex-FAA aircraft and it seems that some structural re-enforcements were made with some small externally visible plates and strakes on the airframe.
 

The kit has the correct S.2B larger intakes and is a new kit as compared with their old "Mk.1" NA 39. 

Some improvements on the model were made 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. 

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

The stabilizer fairings can be sanded somewhat more a correct shape, see pictures of the real plane.

The Buccaneer S.2B can be seen with round main wing tips with the ailerons extending to the ends or with the straight wing tips with fuel dump as provided in the kit. The kit parts were unchanged.

The tail hook bay with its retractable bumper was also deepened. As the inboard flap section is always drooped when a Buccaneer is at rest on the ground, this inboard trailing edge flap was thus cut out using a fine razor saw.

Next, the remaining gap was filled and the trailing edges sharpened through sanding.

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

The main gear will also benefit by doing some  improvement. Alternatively, metal Aeroclub replacement set can be purchased as I did.

The characteristic rear airbrakes were cut- off and detailed with some card.

The real Buccaneer nose has a slight "bubble" coca bottle shape. The kit's nose is not accurately shaped. But through sanding the kit nose after it was assembled with ample putty applied a good result can be obtained. It will take some work with the " eyeball " but the shape will be much better. 

The stores of the kit are a bit rough and the slipper tanks are very inaccurate. Do not use these slipper tanks, simply leave them off the model. 

The main kit assembly was ready and a first coat of light grey primer paint (Revell 75 being very good for this) was sprayed on to check for any 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 later on!

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