Nimrod MRA.4
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Thanks for posting Ricardian ...
I remember watching that film at school nearly 40 years ago when it was shown to a select few by the Recruiters
A great shame that the opening "star" aircraft XV260 ended up being scrapped Nov 2010
Here she is with CXX Squadron early 90's
Then with BAe 00's
Image credits as displayed.
I remember watching that film at school nearly 40 years ago when it was shown to a select few by the Recruiters
A great shame that the opening "star" aircraft XV260 ended up being scrapped Nov 2010
Here she is with CXX Squadron early 90's
Then with BAe 00's
Image credits as displayed.
Last edited by CoffmanStarter; 3rd Oct 2013 at 08:13.
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For those that might be interested, today marks the closing of another chapter in this sorry saga with the departure from Kinloss of the last man to leave the Kipper fleet.
Since those momentous events 3 years ago the Squadrons have disbanded, the Station has closed and there has been a steady outflow of postings, retirements, redundancies and PVRs which left just a small handful of “natural wastage” to wither on the vine waiting their exit date. Fortunately the system left us in peace to fade away quietly and now the last man has finally gone; me.
After 38+ years of service, no less than 30 have been on the Kipper fleet as both groundcrew and aircrew, from Mk1 through to MRA4; including a short encounter with the AEW3. From the Flight Line to Flight Deck to Sim and OCU I’ve had the pleasure of working with some of the finest professionals you could hope to encounter in any walk of life. A truly awesome mix of characters from right across the personality spectrum that combined to create professional bonds the like of which only those who’ve experienced it could really understand.
Tonight I’ll raise a glass to all those I’ve served with over the years. I’ll raise a further glass to all the people who served at Kinloss over the past 73 years and finally I’ll raise a last glass to all the Maritme aviators past and present from the RAF and our colonial friends who, perhaps more than most, can truly appreciate just what we’ve lost.
Then I’ll finish the bottle.
A wee story;
I was clearing at Lossiemouth a few weeks ago when the young lassie looked up from her computer screen with a look of horror and concern on her face and declared – “Sir, you should have started your terminal leave a month ago!”
“Ach, don’t worry”, I said, “I actually started my terminal leave about 15 years ago; I’ve been on the wind down ever since”
A grizzled old civvy (ex Nimrod Sqn Adj) overheard the conversation and quipped with a smile,
“Huh, typical f**kin’ Engineer”
Cheers Chaps – All the best.
Last man.
Oilcan (JA / USMS 1)
Since those momentous events 3 years ago the Squadrons have disbanded, the Station has closed and there has been a steady outflow of postings, retirements, redundancies and PVRs which left just a small handful of “natural wastage” to wither on the vine waiting their exit date. Fortunately the system left us in peace to fade away quietly and now the last man has finally gone; me.
After 38+ years of service, no less than 30 have been on the Kipper fleet as both groundcrew and aircrew, from Mk1 through to MRA4; including a short encounter with the AEW3. From the Flight Line to Flight Deck to Sim and OCU I’ve had the pleasure of working with some of the finest professionals you could hope to encounter in any walk of life. A truly awesome mix of characters from right across the personality spectrum that combined to create professional bonds the like of which only those who’ve experienced it could really understand.
Tonight I’ll raise a glass to all those I’ve served with over the years. I’ll raise a further glass to all the people who served at Kinloss over the past 73 years and finally I’ll raise a last glass to all the Maritme aviators past and present from the RAF and our colonial friends who, perhaps more than most, can truly appreciate just what we’ve lost.
Then I’ll finish the bottle.
A wee story;
I was clearing at Lossiemouth a few weeks ago when the young lassie looked up from her computer screen with a look of horror and concern on her face and declared – “Sir, you should have started your terminal leave a month ago!”
“Ach, don’t worry”, I said, “I actually started my terminal leave about 15 years ago; I’ve been on the wind down ever since”
A grizzled old civvy (ex Nimrod Sqn Adj) overheard the conversation and quipped with a smile,
“Huh, typical f**kin’ Engineer”
Cheers Chaps – All the best.
Last man.
Oilcan (JA / USMS 1)
OilCan,
On behalf of what's left of the maritime clan, I will say a belated thank you, good luck and best wishes for the future.
Very nice touch although you failed to mention which malt was in the glass! As someone still working closely with our cousins, allies and colonial friends, to a man/woman, they are all still all 'gobsmacked' that the UK gave up the capability. It seems crazy that the RN, USN, RCAF, RNoAF, RNZAF, RAAF, Marineflieger, Aeronavale and even the Brazilians recognise how exceptionally good we were (and still are for the Seedcorners) but the majority of the RAF were entirely blind (or blinkered) to just how many roles Nimrod fulfilled.
On behalf of what's left of the maritime clan, I will say a belated thank you, good luck and best wishes for the future.
Tonight I’ll raise a glass to all those I’ve served with over the years. I’ll raise a further glass to all the people who served at Kinloss over the past 73 years and finally I’ll raise a last glass to all the Maritme aviators past and present from the RAF and our colonial friends who, perhaps more than most, can truly appreciate just what we’ve lost.
OilCan,
To be factually correct there are still ex-Nimrod people (some of whom had MRA4 slots) working at Kinloss, at least one of them is an Air Eng, and they will be there until at least 2015.
I presume you were the last person to retire from Transition Wing/Squadron/Flight, whatever it called itself as it evolved.
Enjoy your retirement!
To be factually correct there are still ex-Nimrod people (some of whom had MRA4 slots) working at Kinloss, at least one of them is an Air Eng, and they will be there until at least 2015.
I presume you were the last person to retire from Transition Wing/Squadron/Flight, whatever it called itself as it evolved.
Enjoy your retirement!
Last edited by Biggus; 1st Nov 2013 at 10:02.
"The INTRODUCER"
Wonder if you were in the AEW3 the day that I, solo stude in my Cranwell JP5A, encountered the beast drifting through the Lincolnshire summer skies. How cool, I thought, following from half a mile away....as it started to cross Red One. Oh sh....! Rapid 180 and yet another lesson learned.
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Biggus
You're quite correct; but those who went to the ARCC were posted there.
The Transition Wing/Squadron/Flight evolved into the Kinloss Support Unit (KSU), the Kinloss Support Office (KSO) and finally the Kinloss Nimrod Only Bod (KNOB); and I was i/c!
Probably the last place in the Air Force completely devoid of Niff-Naff and Bullsh*t; It was bliss
...Although I do recall Niff-Naff did go to the ARCC. Please say hello from me
Oilcan.
You're quite correct; but those who went to the ARCC were posted there.
The Transition Wing/Squadron/Flight evolved into the Kinloss Support Unit (KSU), the Kinloss Support Office (KSO) and finally the Kinloss Nimrod Only Bod (KNOB); and I was i/c!
Probably the last place in the Air Force completely devoid of Niff-Naff and Bullsh*t; It was bliss
...Although I do recall Niff-Naff did go to the ARCC. Please say hello from me
Oilcan.
the end
I would also like to add my congratulations to OilCan. When I left KSU there was only a Warrant Officer and a Corporal there - they cut up my ID Card and we shook hands, and that was it 40 years of happy service at an end.
I still pass the base regularly - it looks good, peaceful, almost as if it was waiting ...
The much diminished and scattered Maritime community still in uniform will no doubt join you in a wee dram tonight - as will I.
One day common sense will prevail - until then we shall all have to stay lucky.
I still pass the base regularly - it looks good, peaceful, almost as if it was waiting ...
The much diminished and scattered Maritime community still in uniform will no doubt join you in a wee dram tonight - as will I.
One day common sense will prevail - until then we shall all have to stay lucky.
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Wonder if you were in the AEW3 the day that I, solo stude in my Cranwell JP5A, encountered the beast drifting through the Lincolnshire summer skies. How cool, I thought, following from half a mile away....as it started to cross Red One. Oh sh....! Rapid 180 and yet another lesson learned.
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Very best wishes to you, Oilcan. I join you in a toast to the Kipper Fleet.
As Party Animal says
The non-maritime RAF doesnt understand ASW, neither in terms of developing the avionic systems nor training crews. There is a misconception that should the need arise, one can buy a replacement system off the shelf, stuff a few bods in the back end and hey presto you have a viable maritime force. Wrong! Oh, and who is looking after our SAR responsibilities out to 30West?
As Party Animal says
our cousins, allies and colonial friends, to a man/woman, they are all still all 'gobsmacked' that the UK gave up the capability. It seems crazy that the RN, USN, RCAF, RNoAF, RNZAF, RAAF, Marineflieger, Aeronavale and even the Brazilians recognise how exceptionally good we were (and still are for the Seedcorners) but the majority of the RAF were entirely blind (or blinkered) to just how many roles Nimrod fulfilled.
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Unfortunately the decision makes still do not understand. A recent paper which is informing current studies talks about having a platform with just acoustic sensors for ASW. When challenged there was a complete lack of awareness of how 'Dry' sensors contribute to ASW.
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Nimbev.
I think that is a rather jaundiced and niaive view of all the work that's going on to, hopefully, fill the gap that Nimrod has left.
I'm sure the Seedcorners would take offence at your postulation.
I think that is a rather jaundiced and niaive view of all the work that's going on to, hopefully, fill the gap that Nimrod has left.
I'm sure the Seedcorners would take offence at your postulation.
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Betty,
There have been numerous other threads concerning the cancellation of MRA4 and I dont want to drag all that up again. However IMHO the non-maritime part of the RAF does NOT understand ASW. I am not saying that is the reason that MRA4 got chopped. Even back in the 80's we were saying that after years of Salami slicing, if there was another major cut in funding, the RAF would have to lose a Role. With the end of the Cold War and the Soviet submarine threat it was obvious that the maritime role would be the one to go.
Regarding Seedcorn - I cant see why they should take offence, I was talking about a misconception held by the non-maritime element. I assume that the Seedcorners are all fairly current maritime guys. Which begs the question as to what happens when they need replacing. Where are the next generation of seedcorners coming from?
There have been numerous other threads concerning the cancellation of MRA4 and I dont want to drag all that up again. However IMHO the non-maritime part of the RAF does NOT understand ASW. I am not saying that is the reason that MRA4 got chopped. Even back in the 80's we were saying that after years of Salami slicing, if there was another major cut in funding, the RAF would have to lose a Role. With the end of the Cold War and the Soviet submarine threat it was obvious that the maritime role would be the one to go.
Regarding Seedcorn - I cant see why they should take offence, I was talking about a misconception held by the non-maritime element. I assume that the Seedcorners are all fairly current maritime guys. Which begs the question as to what happens when they need replacing. Where are the next generation of seedcorners coming from?