Buccaneer is a short-lived television series, made by the BBC in 1979–80, and broadcast over 13 weeks in April–July 1980. The series, about a developing air freight business, starred Bryan Marshall, Pamela Salem and Clifford Rose, and was produced by Gerard Glaister. The aircraft that "starred" in the series was a Bristol Britannia of Redcoat Air Cargo, registration G-BRAC, which wore the markings of "Redair", the name of the fictional airline in the series. Only one series was produced due to the Bristol Britannia G-BRAC crash near Boston, Mass., on 16 February 1980, shortly after the completion of filming. Of the eight passengers, seven were killed, and only one survived, albeit seriously injured.
Tony Blair, a moonlighting pilot with Redair, makes a dramatic exit from a West African country in the midst of a revolution and becomes front page news to the surprise of his employer. But Redair is on the verge of bankruptcy and a passenger's husband sees an opportunity.
Charles Burton has effectively bought out Redair and proposes to have Tony, Kim and Ray as Directors as well as himself and his wife Monica. However, Ray takes it badly and tips off the CAA to the annoyance of Burton, who has a special and valuable cargo lined up. Meanwhile, Tony's estranged son appears out of the blue.
Burton gets angry about the delay and his shipping deal is beginning to look a bit out of the ordinary. Tony searches for a spare engine and a new pilot. Paul becomes short term company accountant. Tony's wife Janet unexpectedly flies in from Rhodesia.
Burton's murky past starts to interest Monica while Tony discovers that Janet is staying in the UK permanently. The new board of Redair meets for the first time and tempers flare over money for the new engine, the MOD contract, and who has control of day to day operations.
Suspicion about Burton's big deal grows and how he is going to make so much money out of shipping electronics equipment. Tony grows closer to Monica, and Tony and Ray fly to Africa on a job and make a discovery.
Tony is in an African prison and Ray gets him out. Together, they broker a deal to offload the suspicious cargo. Monica uncovers shocking information about her husband's past business dealings; Janet drops a bombshell to Tony about their divorce settlement from years back and what it means in the present.
Burton's Africa deal has cost him and his cronies a fortune and Redair's board is in rebellion. Tony and Monica grow closer and a new venture transporting wildlife from Africa is on the horizon. Janet discusses her future as a company director with Burton.
Redair has a contract shipping cheetahs out of Africa for a British Lord with a safari park. Tony is offered a fortune in a shady deal to get someone out of the country quietly. Janet is elected to the Board and Burton has his first trip to Africa in the Brittania aircraft.
Redair has double booked the aircraft, with one being a potentially lucrative new contract. Tony's medical indicates possible concerns and Kim has a new friend. Tony's relationship with Monica reaches a decision point.
Ray's wife thinks he's having an affair after his run-in with the intruder. Burton has a plan to exploit Redair's bank balance in a venture buying platinum and someone has been tampering with the Britannia aircraft.
Burton is warned that he is sailing close to the wind financially and tells Monica his side of the story regarding the mysterious sinking of the Phillips O Lippe. Ray's marriage is still in trouble and Janet's ex-husband Alan visits. Burton spies a chance to make millions out of the Anglo Oil contract.
Kim considers her future at Redair and Ray's marriage deteriorates. A cracked window jeopardises the Anglo Oil shipments and contract. Janet and Alan discuss their futures.
Burton has persuaded Anglo Oil to overload the Britannia on its final run to ensure the fulfillment of the temporary contract. Kim ponders her future at Redair while Alan asks Janet to marry him again. Burton and Monica assess their relationship.
