Baffling. The aircraft is supposed to be as near as possible to flight state.
Why is it baffling ? People who know how to swing an aircraft have told you how it's done. Nimrod swing done on compass base, towed around using specially adapted tug with bar to also pull Houchin. All systems were powered up. Engines spinning, engines stopped, still large chunks of metal. If you were really unlucky, you even had a Nav turn up.
Your average RAF compass base is not really suitable for taxiing your average large jet.
S_H