Nimrod -

54437351_606698406463943_2027857023416139776_n

Image courtesy of Terry Senior

The Hawker Siddeley Nimrod was a direct development from the de Havilland Comet. Mainly designed for Maritime operations, the Nimrod was the successor to the Avro Shackleton and took over the Maritime role in the early 70s.

Image courtesy of Emanuel Magri

There were also three R1 reconnaissance Nimrods built which replaced 51 Sqns Comets at RAF Wyton, later moving to RAF Waddington, with another aircraft being converted at a later date to R1 standard.

Image courtesy of David Hedge

Image courtesy of Terry Senior

Eleven aircraft were converted for the Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) role, but were not used and were later used as a spares source for the rest of the fleet.

Image courtesy of David Hedge

Starting in 1995, 32 aircraft were upgraded to MR2 standard and some of them continued operating at RAF Kinloss until 31st March 2010. With several aircraft being chosen for delivery to aircraft museums.

Images courtesy of Bob Franklin

It was announced at the end of 2009 that the MR2 Nimrod would be withdrawn from service by 31st March 2010. The aircraft operated by crews of 120, 201 and Number 42 (R) Squadrons, The Nimrod MR2 performed a variety of roles, including surveillance over land and sea and also search and rescue purposes. For all personnel who served at RAF Kinloss, it was a sad day when the last Nimrod MR2 departed this major Scottish airfield.All was not lost. a new Museum was started at Kinloss with Nimrod MR2 XV244 being one of the exhibits.

NIMROD DELIVERIES

Nimrod XV226 delivery at Bruntingthorpe – Tuesday 27th April 2010

On Tuesday 27th April a small group of aviation enthusiasts and photographers eagerly awaited the arrival of Nimrod MR2 XV226. At 11:15am the aircraft appeared from behind the trees in what was near perfect weather conditions. After carrying out a graceful run-and-break, 226 carried out a roller along Bruntingthorpe’s runway, before touching down for the very last time. Having transited down from Scotland and saying a final farewell to Cottesmore on the way the Kinloss ground crew saw the aircraft in on one of Bruntingthorpe’s dispersals. As her engines were shut down her new owner David Walton waited to greet the crew and receive the 700. XV226, will be kept in ground running condition alongside the Victor, Comet and Lightnings.

Images courtesy of Denis Calvert

Nimrod XV232 delivery at Coventry Airport – Tuesday 11th May 2010

Nimrod MR2 XV232 landed for the final time at Coventry Airport on 11th May 2010, touching down at 12:17 hours. The captain of the aircraft (Squadron Leader Roxborough) handed over the logbook to Mr Mike Collett, the Chairman of The Air Atlantique Classic Flight The Nimrod will be kept in taxiable condition by The Classic Flight and will be a major attraction at the newly opened ‘Airbase’ facility at Coventry West, along with a significant number of other historic aircraft, many of which are kept in flying condition.

Images courtesy of Simon Westwood

Nimrod MR2 XV255 delivery at the City of Norwich Aviation Museum – Monday 24th May 2010

Norwich Museum took delivery of its Nimrod MR2 XV255 on Monday 24th May 2010. The aircraft had flown down from its home base of Kinloss in Scotland. This aircraft has been allocated to Cosford Air Museum but due to the length of Cosford’s runway, was reallocated to the city of Norwich Aviation Museum instead.

Images courtesy of Bruce Martin

The final public appearance of a Nimrod, was at Waddington Air Show, XW664 and XV249 were on display.

Image courtesy of Bob Franklin

The Nimrod Retirement Parade

On the 28th June 2011, RAF Waddington hosted the Nimrod retirement parade. It was attended by Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Dalton, Chief of the Air Staff, and numerous people from the Nimrod family. A fitting tribute to the Nimrod, and the people who flew them and looked after them.