MRA4 end of an era & the end of Woodford

[manccowboy]

Today the last 2 remaining MRA4's were towed into the scrapping area for destruction tomorrow. These are the 2 test frames PA-01 ZJ516 & PA-02 ZJ518 and have both been in the finals hangers for the past 2 weeks having anything salvageable stripped from the frames.

This truly is an end of an era not only for the MRA4, but Woodford as a aircraft manufacturing plant which goes back over 87 years from when A.V.Roe opened the site in 1924.

All the following aircraft were built at Woodford:
Avro Anson
Avro Lancaster
Avro Lincoln
Avro Tudor
Avro Shackleton
Avro Vulcan
Avro Ashton
Hawker Siddeley HS 748
Hawker Siddeley Nimrod
BAe ATP
BAe 146

Goodbye Woodford you have served this country well

[TBM-Legend]

There are a few winners and losers in that list...

[Q-RTF-X]

Will this be an end to MR4A threads? I hope so

So far it would seem to be a Woodford thread and as manccowboy seems to be a resident of Stockport it's reasonable he has an interest in a nearby site with a history of involvement in aviation. I myself remember seeing the Vulcan on its first flight (with two chase aircraft) circling around while I was at school in Bramhall. Give the thread a chance RA and after all, if you don't like the content drift, you are free to exercise your right not to view this any more and move to pastures new.

[BEagle]

Those whose only contribution to this thread is spiteful schadenfreude should indeed move to pastures new.

The indecent haste to scrap Nimrod MRA4 is deeply distressing to many; nasty little trolls who like to stick the knife in at such times have no place on this website.

[Jabba_TG12]

The urge to be somewhat unkind to BAe, re their annoying habit of closing sites in this manner (as happened to Hatfield) when the work dries up is almost overwhelming.

I'll bite my lip for now. Really dont like the way this company behaves.

[manccowboy]

Really annoyed

Nearly everyone of your posts reflects some sort of sarcasm and contribute in no way to any post you answer. You obviously have a big chip on your shoulder, maybe you need to get something off your chest.....don't hold it in. let it out.

Other than that you need to bite your lip and STFU

[betty swallox]

really annoyed,

Re-arrange....

bike-sheds, me, you now. I think you may find a crowd...

[carrier5]

I remember as a youngster living on a farm near Woodford in the mid 50s when the Vulcan was being constructed and marveling at the huge white aircraft taking off and landing.

I also remember falling into the cesspit at the farm.

Happy days.

[F3sRBest]

Jabba,

What else would you have BAES do? Keep sites open with no work?

Best wishes to all at Woodford and around the rest of BAES currently lookingh for jobs etc

[Linedog]

A lot of those aircraft were actually built at Chadderton, then transported to Woodford for final assy, and flight testing.

[1771 DELETE]

I think Woodford was already scheduled for closure, the demise of the MRA4 just hastened the decision. It may have already had an extension because the work that was due to happen at Southampton fell through and the whole build process had moved north.
On the side, i remember going there for MR2 training and staying at Bredbury Hall, those were the days.

[bobward]

Carrier 5 - I think most of the country has now joined you....

Please forgive what may seem a silly question. The last two Nimrods have had their systems gutted and the items salvaged. What sort of kit might they pass on, as surely most of the fittings were for ASW / intelligence work?

I'm not a trol or (far worse) a journo, just a genuine interest.

Thanks
Bob

[safetypee]

Don’t forget the ‘Avro’ RJ, which gave Woodford a lease of life, extended slightly by the Nimrod.

Aaah, de Havilland at Woodford – definitely the last of the line.

[Big Tudor]

There are a few winners and losers in that list...

Just a quick look through t'interweb gives the following.

Anson – In service 1935-1968. 11,020 built
Lancaster – In service 1941-1963. 7,377 built.
Lincoln – In service 1945 – 1967. 604 built.
Tudor - only 38 built.
Shackleton – In service 1951-1990. 185 built.
Vulcan – In service 1956-1984. 136 built.
Ashton – only 6 built.
HS748 – In service 1960-?. 380 built.
Nimrod – In service 1969-2010. 49 built.
BAe ATP – In service 1988-? 64 built.
BAe146 – In service 1983-? 387 built.

With the exceptions of the Tudor, Ashton and ATP (personally never liked it) I'd say there were more winners than losers. Maybe not in terms of production numbers, but the aircraft in the list have proved their worth many times over.

Ok, standing by for the 146/RJ knockers to hit me down with cabin fumes!

[Mad_Mark]

Nimrod – In service 1969-2010. 49 built.

Correct me if I am wrong, but isn't Nimrod (R1) still in service - and just had an extension of at least a few more months?

And as for 'Really annoyed', please go easy on him; he obviously has some sort of social disorder and really should seek some sort of professional medical help [I am not being sarcastic or taking the pi$$, I honestly think he has a mental problem - for him to act the way he does in here!]

MadMark!!!

[glad rag]

@ MadMark!!!

Yep, he's Tourists long lost twin.

[Rigga]

Cancellations and redundancy is never nice but, as much as I dislike BAES, I believe they are trying really hard not to make anyone who wants job elsewhere in the company redundant.

Many other companies wouldn't do that.

All the best for your futures
Rigga

[The Old Fat One]

Speak for yourselves...I'm maritime through and through, but I'm with Really Annoyed on this one.

Beags...you get out the wrong side of bed this morning?

[Big Tudor]

Correct me if I am wrong, but isn't Nimrod (R1) still in service - and just had an extension of at least a few more months?

Yep, sorry MM, I'd forgotton about the R1. Guess that means they must be doing their job right then!

[Q-RTF-X]

A lot of those aircraft were actually built at Chadderton, then transported to Woodford for final assy, and flight testing.

Generally speaking that's the way it worked, Chadderton - Manufacture, Woodford - Assembly and Test. My late father-in-law worked at Woodford for years and offers of more lucrative work elsewhere never managed to lure him away; he simply liked the place.