Sidewinders on the Nimrod
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Sidewinders on the Nimrod
I've done the usual Google search but been unable to come up with a picture of the Sidewinder installation on a Nimrod MR2. I have a Copy of the book 'Avro One' which shows an MR2 with what appears to be two missile rails per side, each rail mounted each side of the weapons pylon under each wing.
Can anyone point me at a picture of (preferably) a close up of the missiles on the wing, or a close up of the rails installed on the pylon?
We have an MR2 at Manchester Viewing Park and looking at the pylon it's not obvious how the rails were fitted to it.
Can anyone point me at a picture of (preferably) a close up of the missiles on the wing, or a close up of the rails installed on the pylon?
We have an MR2 at Manchester Viewing Park and looking at the pylon it's not obvious how the rails were fitted to it.
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searched NIMROD FITTED WITH SIDEWINDERS
Found on google in 0.52 seconds About 747 results
1st piccy
http://cdn-www.airliners.net/aviatio.../8/0811867.jpg
4th
http://www.targetlock.org.uk/nimrod/...sidewinder.jpg
Yeah, I did that. I can see why you posted pics 1 and 4 - of the hundreds of returns from that search those are the only two that actually show recognisable Sidewinders on the Nimrod.
What I'm really looking for is a close-up showing how the rails were attached to the weapons pylons.
Found on google in 0.52 seconds About 747 results
1st piccy
http://cdn-www.airliners.net/aviatio.../8/0811867.jpg
4th
http://www.targetlock.org.uk/nimrod/...sidewinder.jpg
Yeah, I did that. I can see why you posted pics 1 and 4 - of the hundreds of returns from that search those are the only two that actually show recognisable Sidewinders on the Nimrod.
What I'm really looking for is a close-up showing how the rails were attached to the weapons pylons.
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"How many Sidewinders were fired by Nimrods during the Falklands war?"
None: I know that because I have just come back from a talk given tonight to The Aviation Society Manchester by "Robby" Robinson, BAe's chief test pilot at the time the Sidewinders were fitted-an amazing achievement in a very short time.
I haven't checked photos on Google links, but he showed us a photo of an actual test firing-amazing! I have his email address if you want it-send me a PM.
None: I know that because I have just come back from a talk given tonight to The Aviation Society Manchester by "Robby" Robinson, BAe's chief test pilot at the time the Sidewinders were fitted-an amazing achievement in a very short time.
I haven't checked photos on Google links, but he showed us a photo of an actual test firing-amazing! I have his email address if you want it-send me a PM.
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There was a story - mind, I was told this by a Nimrod pilot - of an exercise where a couple of heroes in Tornado's forgot about this and shot over a Nimrod , with the Nimrod pilot saying " Fox One" or whatever is relevant twice, theoretically Nimrod 2, Tornados 0...
Gentleman Aviator
And there was certainly a Squadron "zap" at the time (don't know which sqn) with something like "World's Biggest Fighter"*and a cartoon of an aggressive looking Nimrod.....
ZeBedie wrote
It was certainly better than having nothing. I would imagine that some of the MR2s were very much out on their own and operating close to Argentina?
There was also the possibility that they would encounter Argentine patrol aircraft such as the reconnaissance Boeing 707s.
TJ
Realistically, would a Nimrod be able to defend itself if attacked by a Mirage, or was this just a ploy to make the crews feel more confident?
There was also the possibility that they would encounter Argentine patrol aircraft such as the reconnaissance Boeing 707s.
TJ
Realistically, would a Nimrod be able to defend itself if attacked by a Mirage, or was this just a ploy to make the crews feel more confident?
Crews received fighter affiliation training before deployment, they realised that they could probably hold off a singleton for a couple of passes at least, provided that they were alerted to his approach. A pair would have been much more difficult. However the interceptor would have been a long way from home, marginal on fuel and aware that overshooting the target would result in a couple of Sidewinders chasing him, might make him a bit more circumspect.
Arranging the fighter affiliation training could be quite a challenge, because whilst 18 Gp was "at war", the front line stations of 11 Gp were "at peace". One morning, having been allocated an aircraft for 2 crews to carry out fighter affiliation training the following afternoon, I set about trying to find some "playmates". On phoning one squadron and being told that they could not help, I replied that I would contact the other squadron on the same station. "Don't bother" I was told, "there's no flying after lunch tomorrow, we've got an AOC's parade rehearsal".
YS
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Its only useful as self defense if they can get a tone to fire it. That would have been extremely unlikely against a fighter or the 707 as mentioned prevously. I think this was a bit of wishful thinking tbh. The fighter would be able to dictate the fight. I'm open to correction, but I don't think any of the Nimrods were even operating near the task force, never mind Argentina.
Its only useful as self defense if they can get a tone to fire it. That would have been extremely unlikely against a fighter or the 707 as mentioned prevously. I think this was a bit of wishful thinking tbh. The fighter would be able to dictate the fight. I'm open to correction, but I don't think any of the Nimrods were even operating near the task force, never mind Argentina.
During Corporate Nimrods undertook a wide variety of tasks some of which took them towards the coast of Argentina. A significant number of sorties were tasked with Direct Support (DS) to the task force, although I somewhat doubt that the OTC employed them on Airplan 4, sectors 1 & 2 20/60. There is plenty of published information about the tasking, try Price or Freedman.
YS
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There was also the possibility that they would encounter Argentine patrol aircraft such as the reconnaissance Boeing 707s.
As for speed, the Nimrod had far superior turning ability, which is far more important if the 707 came anywhere close.
The prime object was achieved. The Sidewinder threat allowed the Nimrods to go about their tasks unimpeded.