09/30/2024. Remarks by Johan Visschedijk: "To meet Specification T.13/43BR for an unarmed twin-engine trainer with dual-controls, Bristol designed the 166 Buckmaster, which was developed from the 163 Buckingham bomber. The last two partly completed Buckinghams were converted to become the Buckmaster prototypes, TJ714 c/n 12024 and TJ717 c/n 12025.717). The first prototype TJ714 was first flown by Chief Test Pilot Cyril. F. Uwins on October 27, 1944.

A further 150 sets of Buckingham components already manufactured were used in Buckmaster production, 110 Buckmasters being assembled during 1945 and 1946, serialed RP122 to RP246 (c/n 12026 to 12125) and VA359 to VA368 (c/n 12126 to 12135). The Buckmaster was powered by two 2,400 hp Bristol Centaurus VII eighteen-cylinder, air-cooled radials.

Buckmasters were mainly used by Operational Conversion Units (OCU) training Brigand pilots, although a few were employed on communications duties at Aden, Yemen, by No. 8 Squadron. The last four in RAF Training Command service were still flying at No. 238 OCU, RAF Colerne, Wiltshire, in 1956, while two were retained at Filton for experimental work; one of these was modified to test the Burney recoilless gun and the other, RP164, carried out flight tests with combustion heaters for the Brabazon wing de-icing system, later becoming an instructional airframe at Halton, where it was scrapped in 1958."