I too would wish to offer my sincere congratulations and relief to the crew involved in this latest incident. One can only guess at how they must have felt when this occurred and they have my utmost admiration for their professionalism in safely getting the aircraft on the ground.
On a different note, many of you will be aware of some of the stick I took earlier in this thread regarding my comments concerning the safety of modern airliners, and in particular my concerns about safety matters relating to the MRA4 aircraft.
In light of this latest incident, would those of you responsible care to re consider your opinions? After all, if the incident report is to be believed (and why shouldn't it be?) then this particular aircraft had been fitted recently with a new coupling, and this was the first occasion for AAR post fitting. How could it have gone so wrong??
So, MightyHunterAge, the wee short chap (MRA4 test pilot?) and all the others, who have been somewhat quiet since the incident, what do you think now? Would you honestly still be happy to fly in a Nimrod????
On a wider issue, the MR2 incidents add even further weight to the need for Bomb Bay and fuel tank protection, both on the existing MR2s but especially in MRA4 which will replace them. Has the RAF not learned anything from the tragedy of 230 and the very close calls of the other incidents? It seems to me, to be criminally negligent to simply ignore what has happened, and what is clearly still happening!
CAS.
Glenn, it is time for you to do the honourable thing Sir, and resign! You are a very nice chap, and you and I have met on several occasions, but the time has come for you to throw in your towel. But before you do that, there is one thing that you could do to retrieve some of your credibility and leave the RAF on 'a high'........GROUND ALL NIMRODS!
Yes, ground the entire fleet, then go along to Mr brown at No 10 and tell him what you have done, and why you have done it (because they are now unsafe) make a public statement to that effect, and then announce your resignation. That will be the bravest thing you could possibly do Sir, and would make you a true leader.
To all Nimrod crews, keep safe guys and girls and above all else, put yourselves first. Even as a retired Wg Cdr, I am thoroughly ashamed at the way the whole Nimrod fiasco is being handled, it is appalling. AOC 2 Gp should be hanging his head in shame, and be thanking God that this latest incident didn't end in another disaster. He too should consider his position.
I and my fellow Civilian Pilots salute your courage and commitment, I only wish that the hierarchy of this pathetic Air Force did so also.
The Winco