Weapon Stats:

Vicon91 LOROP Reconnaissance pod

Description:

The Vinten Long-Range Oblique Photographic (LOROP) system was carried in the bomb bay of the Buccaneer.

The 60 inch lens with a 5 inch film gave the ability to do reconnaissance photography at a safe standoff distance.

The photo pods were obtained through sanction busting. It was originally intended to be used by the F1’s. It was however decided that the Buccaneer would be the better option. The units obtained was delivered in boxes and no paper work or manuals was received. Getting the pods fitted to the Bucc was a difficult task. It was fondly known as the �"Yo Yo” due to the numerous times it had to be heisted up and lowered again to make it fit properly in the Bucc’s bomb bay. The 24 Sqn electricians had their hands full to figure out and install the wiring looms and a special designed role panel for the back cockpit and the sights in the pilot cockpit had to be designed and fitted. The Squadron also had to write an operating manual for the system. The system gave the Bucc back its recon capability which was lost when the last of the two original photo crates was lost when Bucc 424 was lost in 1979. The system worked very well in the Bucc which had the rotating bomb bay, range and low flying capability to conduct the LOROP recon missions into the most dangerous areas deep into enemy territory.

The aircraft went in below the radar, pitched up and photographed the target and then got out of the area before counter-measures could be activated.

Altitude varied depending on the target but usually around 2,500 to 5,000 ft at a standoff distance of around 7 to 10 miles. From pitch up and photo run to diving down to low level around 40 to 60 seconds.
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