Military AircrewA forum for the professionals who fly the non-civilian hardware, and the backroom boys and girls without whom nothing would leave the ground. Army, Navy and Airforces of the World, all equally welcome here.
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
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.
Location: Quite near 'An aerodrome somewhere in England'
Posts: 18,755
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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!
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$$, I honestly think he has a mental problem - for him to act the way he does in here!]
Cancellations and redundancy is never nice but, as much as I dislike BAES, I believe they are trying really hard not to make anyone who wants job elsewhere in the company redundant.
A lot of those aircraft were actually built at Chadderton, then transported to Woodford for final assy, and flight testing.
Generally speaking that's the way it worked, Chadderton - Manufacture, Woodford - Assembly and Test. My late father-in-law worked at Woodford for years and offers of more lucrative work elsewhere never managed to lure him away; he simply liked the place.
[I am not being sarcastic or taking the pi$$, I honestly think he has a mental problem - for him to act the way he does in here!]
