Nimrod Information

[Safety_Helmut]

The BOZ pods are Pylon mounted CHAFF Dispensers, basically it spits out shredded tin foil.

The BOZ pod is a pylon mounted Chaff and flare dispenser, BOZ 107 fitted to Nimrod. Adapted from the Tornado for the Nimrod.

S_H

[Exrigger]

Thanks SH, I stand corrected, I was primarily working from memory of my Tornado days and then posted what was written from a web site that did not mention Flare dispensing from same pod.

[Nimman]

See http://www.spyflight.co.uk/nim.htm the 2nd picture down shows a boz pod attaced at rib 7 (on underside of mainplane between the engines and 4a pod tank)

[Exrigger]

Nimman, just pipped me on that one, I was a bit slower finding the pictures.

[Tappers Dad]

Thanks for the answers guys, Exrigger the reason I asked the question is because is was thought by some that the suspension of BOZ pods were causing fuel leaks to emerge at Rib 7. Especially on ac flying over Afghanistan where the stresses were greater.

[Exrigger]

This is always a possibility, but not likely, the aircraft have always had pylon mounts, pylons and missiles fitted, in the mid seventies it was decided that there was no need to carry missiles on these pylons and we removed them. The aircraft would have gone through flight trials and wing load testing, so it could be assumed that to re-use them would not be a problem. I understand what you are saying about Afghanistan, in that a lot of factors could come into play that might not of been considered, least of all the weight difference between the BOZ pod and it's pylon compared with the weight of the missiles on their pylon that might give rise to higher wing flutter, thus fatigue cracking. The turbulance plus heat should not be much difference to the flight profiles that used to be flown (from memory) out in Malta/Cyprus and a few other hot places. Not knowing the flight profiles flown by the current deployed Nimrod aircraft or their equipment fits, I can only say that this is my thoughts on the subject and again I stand to be corrected by those that are more current/have better memory/knowledge than I have shown.

regards Exrigger

[Tappers Dad]

Does anyone know if XV230 had Boz Pods fitted ?

[Safety_Helmut]

Certainly has done in the past TD, a couple of pictures linked below, It's the pointed thing on the pylons under the wing, one one each side.

http://www.airliners.net/open.file?i...ext_id=0707952
and
http://www.airliners.net/open.file?i...RFP&photo_nr=1

[Exrigger]

TD according to the pictures on airliners.net, yes XV230 did have the pod fitted.

[Tappers Dad]

Thanks again all. I hope to make things clearer after the BOI.

[pipistrelle]

CXX/3 ...one year on

Firstly to TD and all the other bereaved families of XV230 my most sincere condolences on this sad anniversary. I was fortunate enough to serve on CXX/3 and a few others during my 14 yrs at ISK.
During my time on the squadrons it was known that the Nimrod was plagued with many problems from corrosion to hydraulics and it speaks volumes for the crews who maintained and operated these planes that the 'Kipper Fleet' managed to fulfil its role, however that was in the seventies and eighties and the Nimrod is still slogging on giving sterling service. I would have hoped that by now the Mighty Hunter in the twilight of of its service would be supported technically and financially to enable it to do just this. I sincerely hope that the BOI will not be a whitewash and that the outcome will prevent another tragedy like this ever happening again.
I can only praise the dedication of TD who is only trying to get at the truth and find it refreshing that he is supported by an MP who is only representing the wishes of the people who democratically elected him.

[Distant Voice]

Did XV230 undergo a primary servicing or a major servicing before going to the Gulf in early 2006?

DV

[Tappers Dad]

DV
According to http://www.janes.com/aerospace/milit...0905_1_n.shtml

The Nimrod, which an MoD official said was likely to have crashed because of "technical difficulties", had undergone depot-level maintenance two months prior to the incident, an industry source told Jane's.

I understood that XV230 had been out in the gulf from early in the year about March I think.

[Safety_Helmut]

I seem to remember XV230 featuring quite heavily in the MoD press as the first of the Nimrods to go through the new equalized servicing regime. Does anyone else remember this or have links to the publications it appeared in ? I think it even got some sort of mention on this thread, didn't someone mention that the picture of 230 had been reused, but the number had been edited out ?

I should hope that people are looking very carefully at the servcing regime, the periodicity was extended several years ago and I believe it has fairly recently been extended again.


S_H

[Nimman]

Page 39 entries 775 and 768 of this thread make some reference to the maintenance activity of this ac

[Tappers Dad]

Safety_Helmut

I am indeed looking at the servcing regime very carefully.
I requested the BAE Systems report and it's recommendations in August 2004 in a "safety case that a fire detection and suppression system be fitted to its bomb bay.

Unfortunatly they have turned down my FOI request on the grounds that under Section 43 of the Act (information containing details that are prejudicial to the commercial interests of a supplier).

Mmmmm !!!!

[Distant Voice]

Many thanks for those reminders regarding the new types of "money saving" changes in maintenace programs. Clearly XV 230 did not undergo the normal major servicing in early 2006. I asked the question because I had sight of documentation, dated early 2006, that talks about fuel leaks (of some concern) on XV230 at a time it was due "a Primary"

DV

[MightyHunter AGE]

So DV what are you saying then, that the MU is not doing its job properly? that jets are being sent up with fuel leaks that aren't being rectified? or indeed that the very people who decide what the aircraft maint schedule aren't doing their job either and are putting lives at risk by making the servicing less than they were before?

Every jet in the RAF is moving away from the old style maint to equalized maint, should we doubt all those jets as well?

Don't beat about the bush and give us the benefit of your vast scheduling policy experience.

[Tappers Dad]

I think DV is refering to QinetiQ which is a leading international defence and security company who said in 2006 they believe that the main cause of fuel leaks on Nimrods "was that the age of the airframe and the interlay sealant between the joints (from manufacture) and play on the fasteners between ribs/skin panels, combined with the aggressive tempo with which the RAF are flying the jets in stark temperature shifts.

I may be wrong but I think that is what DV is refering to.

[MightyHunter AGE]

DV

Almost certainly 30 was serviced before it went out to the Gulf otherwise it would not be able to fly due to lack of hours.

I am not sure what you are driving at now but EVERY jet that goes out to the Gulf has to be serviced for the reason given above.

Primary servicings are carried out by RAMS and NLS personnel.

Anything else?