nimrod mr4 first flight date
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 328
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From: Just down the road from ISK
Prob late July to early Sep. (Best case to most likely!)
Low speed taxy trials late this week or early next - braking from 70Kts.
BAES have a web cam at Woodford to show it all - will try to find the URL and post.
Low speed taxy trials late this week or early next - braking from 70Kts.
BAES have a web cam at Woodford to show it all - will try to find the URL and post.
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 398
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From: Australia
Just had a quick look at the bae website, and although I did not see any webcams, they (bae) are still saying
on the MRA4 page. Ever the optomists 
With an in-service date of 2005, the Nimrod MRA4 will be the only jet-powered maritime patrol aircraft in service.
Guest
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 585
Likes: 1
Reading this thread gave me a flashback to the same location in the early eighties..
I was part of the Boscombe flight trials team at Woodford for the previous Nimrod incarnation (the Mk3).
The scene: In the non-air conditioned Flight Sheds conference room one warm summer's day, a large meeting was in progress between BAe, MAv and us...
At mid morning, the door opened and two guys came in (think 2 Ronnies). Both were wearing overalls and donkey jackets. One was carrying an industrial-sized aluminium teapot of around 5 gallons capacity with two handles... the other had 2 long tubes of paper cups - one stuck in each pocket (gunslinger mode) - and was carrying a pint of milk and a bag of sugar with a spoon stuck in it.
Not a word was spoken as the meeting stopped and a line of paper cups was laid out along the highly polished conference table. The teapot guy stepped forward and - starting at one end -in one continuous motion filled the entire line of cups with hot steaming tea. The tea went all over the table too. I caught the eye of a colleague sitting opposite and we both had to look away as we were both desperately trying not to laugh. Meanwhile, matey with the milk does the same continuous pouring action and, leaving the sugar and spoon on the table they left.
I can still recall the pain we all went through as we tried to retain our composure. The BAe management acted as though this was a perfectly normal occurence.
My other abiding memory of Woodford is that across the airfield is the large building where the Nimrods were built. It was known as 'New Assembly'.
I asked one of the BAe guys one day why it was called that.
He said it was because that's where the Lancasters were built...
I was part of the Boscombe flight trials team at Woodford for the previous Nimrod incarnation (the Mk3).
The scene: In the non-air conditioned Flight Sheds conference room one warm summer's day, a large meeting was in progress between BAe, MAv and us...
At mid morning, the door opened and two guys came in (think 2 Ronnies). Both were wearing overalls and donkey jackets. One was carrying an industrial-sized aluminium teapot of around 5 gallons capacity with two handles... the other had 2 long tubes of paper cups - one stuck in each pocket (gunslinger mode) - and was carrying a pint of milk and a bag of sugar with a spoon stuck in it.
Not a word was spoken as the meeting stopped and a line of paper cups was laid out along the highly polished conference table. The teapot guy stepped forward and - starting at one end -in one continuous motion filled the entire line of cups with hot steaming tea. The tea went all over the table too. I caught the eye of a colleague sitting opposite and we both had to look away as we were both desperately trying not to laugh. Meanwhile, matey with the milk does the same continuous pouring action and, leaving the sugar and spoon on the table they left.
I can still recall the pain we all went through as we tried to retain our composure. The BAe management acted as though this was a perfectly normal occurence.
My other abiding memory of Woodford is that across the airfield is the large building where the Nimrods were built. It was known as 'New Assembly'.
I asked one of the BAe guys one day why it was called that.
He said it was because that's where the Lancasters were built...
Yes, Him
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 2,696
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From: West Sussex, UK
Reminds me of a day at BAe Brough. PR bloke suggested we have lunch in the works' canteen "to save time" (cheapskate).
Still in hearty PR manager mode he asks one of the workforce what he'd recommend. "Bugger all, its all crap."
Still in hearty PR manager mode he asks one of the workforce what he'd recommend. "Bugger all, its all crap."
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 78
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From: North of England
What's up Gorilla ?
“….and I predict will NEVER fly, the same prediction I made a year ago.” (15th October 2002)
“I have been saying for the past 2 years on this forum and I repeat.. It HASN'T flown
and It will NEVER fly!! “ (20th February 2003)
“I said it would never fly and I stand by that prediction!!” (14th December 2003)
“I still say and have said many times on this forum, the MRA4 will never fly” (2nd February 2004)
Now you reckon it will - getting nervous ?!
Heh heh heh
“….and I predict will NEVER fly, the same prediction I made a year ago.” (15th October 2002)
“I have been saying for the past 2 years on this forum and I repeat.. It HASN'T flown
and It will NEVER fly!! “ (20th February 2003)
“I said it would never fly and I stand by that prediction!!” (14th December 2003)
“I still say and have said many times on this forum, the MRA4 will never fly” (2nd February 2004)
Now you reckon it will - getting nervous ?!
Heh heh heh
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 21
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From: My own little world
Can anyone tell me what the problem is with all these Nimrod bashers out there...
Alright the Mr4 may not have been the best choice with the other options both cheaper and proven p3 etc, but we have made the choice now lets see how capable it will be.
What I'm saying is give it a chance.
I think for people to gain pleasure from seeing this thing fail is wrong...
PS The biggest thing I can see with it is that it doesn't have an engineer.
Discuss....
Alright the Mr4 may not have been the best choice with the other options both cheaper and proven p3 etc, but we have made the choice now lets see how capable it will be.
What I'm saying is give it a chance.
I think for people to gain pleasure from seeing this thing fail is wrong...
PS The biggest thing I can see with it is that it doesn't have an engineer.
Discuss....
Inter Arma Enim Silentius Lex Legis
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 733
Likes: 1
From: England
Dimmer
Very good but you also missed one of my other quotes!
I predicted that Newcastle would win the premier League, but as of today my other predictions re the mra4 remain extant!!
IT STILL HASN'T FLOWN YET!!!!!
Very good but you also missed one of my other quotes!
I predicted that Newcastle would win the premier League, but as of today my other predictions re the mra4 remain extant!!
IT STILL HASN'T FLOWN YET!!!!!
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 78
Likes: 0
From: North of England
Gorilla,
I wish I could spell "cynical", "pessimistic" or "skeptical" instead of having to call you a gloomy old git ! (The age thing is just an assumption - if you are, in fact, an energetic youth, then you're REALLY in trouble !)
I wish I could spell "cynical", "pessimistic" or "skeptical" instead of having to call you a gloomy old git ! (The age thing is just an assumption - if you are, in fact, an energetic youth, then you're REALLY in trouble !)
Inter Arma Enim Silentius Lex Legis
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 733
Likes: 1
From: England
Dimmer
Actually all 3 words have appeared regularly in my annual reports, but not any more of course!!
I am but a youthful figure and no I DO NOT use grecian 2000!! (Or just for men either)!!
Actually all 3 words have appeared regularly in my annual reports, but not any more of course!!
I am but a youthful figure and no I DO NOT use grecian 2000!! (Or just for men either)!!
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 404
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From: A 1/2 World away from Ice Statio Kilo
DS
I thought we were all Yoofs compared to yourself, but not all of us are energetic.
Dont worry about the old monkey I reckon he has been drying out his banana skins and smoking them. Wont be long before he is replaced by a black box is his new job as it works well on the DLR.
Charlie sends
from the land of the melting Mars Bar
I thought we were all Yoofs compared to yourself, but not all of us are energetic.
Dont worry about the old monkey I reckon he has been drying out his banana skins and smoking them. Wont be long before he is replaced by a black box is his new job as it works well on the DLR.
Charlie sends
from the land of the melting Mars Bar
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 3,118
Likes: 140
From: overthere
Dimmer old fella, how the hell are you? Hope the FLT SGT is still looking after you, and that rabbit catching superman suit still fits.
Now this Nimrod thinging....does seem to be taking a bit long don't you think. Perhaps a rebuild of the shack might be in order as an intrim ( and no that is not a fat joke!) measure!!!
Charlie......when are you heading over this way to say hello? Get it organised will ya!!!!!
Don
Now this Nimrod thinging....does seem to be taking a bit long don't you think. Perhaps a rebuild of the shack might be in order as an intrim ( and no that is not a fat joke!) measure!!!
Charlie......when are you heading over this way to say hello? Get it organised will ya!!!!!
Don
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 78
Likes: 0
From: North of England
Don & Charlie,
Talking to you two takes all the fun out of fat jokes - it's just too easy !!!!
Me & the Gaffer are tickety-boo - don't either of you miss the constant drizzle and grey skies of a Brit summer?.
You're right about MRA4 taking much longer than originally promised, and PPRuNe has seen a lot of debate over the reasons for that. It seems to me that there's a bit of momentum behind it now, and it appear to have the potential to be the cat's ass when we get it.
Talking to you two takes all the fun out of fat jokes - it's just too easy !!!!
Me & the Gaffer are tickety-boo - don't either of you miss the constant drizzle and grey skies of a Brit summer?.
You're right about MRA4 taking much longer than originally promised, and PPRuNe has seen a lot of debate over the reasons for that. It seems to me that there's a bit of momentum behind it now, and it appear to have the potential to be the cat's ass when we get it.
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 211
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From: UK
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 404
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From: A 1/2 World away from Ice Statio Kilo
Don
Should be in yer neck of the woods about this time next week, if I can get past the fun police. Will give you a PM once sausage side. I would bring some Coopers if allowed but I can manage some vegemite or any other fare you need.
Now then Dimmer
About the fat jokes I hope you realise that when in the land of Kylie one has to attend the beach and bare one's adonis body whilst not a six pack more of a watney's party keg the ladies seem to approve.
As for ladies Ill set Missus DS on ya
Hope the teenage years have made you grey - er
Should be in yer neck of the woods about this time next week, if I can get past the fun police. Will give you a PM once sausage side. I would bring some Coopers if allowed but I can manage some vegemite or any other fare you need.
Now then Dimmer
About the fat jokes I hope you realise that when in the land of Kylie one has to attend the beach and bare one's adonis body whilst not a six pack more of a watney's party keg the ladies seem to approve.
As for ladies Ill set Missus DS on ya
Hope the teenage years have made you grey - er
Joined: Mar 2001
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From: Apa, apo ndi kulikonse!