That has got to be the ugliest version of the Comet ever made....

The Nimrod has always looked like a parts bin special but the undisputed British Commonwealth All Comers title for the ugliest version of the Comet has to go to the Mk3 Nimrod... (the infamous AEW with schnozzles front and rear). Proof of the adage "If it looks right etc.."
When we (the Boscombe team) arrived at Woodford in '82 to start the flight trials phase, we had to pull our Sherpa off the peri-track as we were all literally crying with laughter at the sheer ugliness of the beast that we'd spotted lurking on the far side of the airfield.

Dimmer old chap,

I have just recieved a copy of Nimrod MRA4 'Maturity, Capability, Adaptability' video!!!! We are to show it to the Squadron on our Ground Training Day, where many of the students will not realise the 'leading man' (a true silver screen star if i've ever seen one) is in fact a leg-end! Nice one. ;)

Sad I know, but I miss working for the IPT. It made this job look easy!! :bored: Good to see the MRA4 project is going well and I'm sure this video footage will enlighten those sceptics we have here. Perhaps it will give confidence to those departing to the front line about the future.

Don & Charlie, I hope life is treating you both well. I also hope you leave enough 'Kylie' to go round (although Anastasia is looking more like a front runner now!) Take care chaps.

M7 :ok:

Dimmer Switch,
Pse check your PMs.
TVM
Judge Rembrandt
PS MC7 - I will be calling you tommorrow!!

Your Honour!

Got it - will call later today

Cheers

Was anyone else impressed by the number of little optimisic phrases in that video, such as:

"Aircraft 4 to 18, or however many it is" [after the order gets cut again...]

"The next time I speak to you on a video, or the company speaks to you" [if I've been sacked...]

not to mention the dig at bureaucracy; kept us amused for ten minutes :-)


Any word on the taxy trials?

Taxy trials should be tomorrow or Saturday.

JT

I live in hope that the Woodford TP who will fly the beast will comment on this thread.....

The Radio 4 program "File on Four" featured defence overspending in it's latest programme - much of which was commentary on Nimrod.
A transcript of the programme should be available shortly on the associated website, for those interested:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/news/fileon4/index.shtml

--
chris

Walkies
 

Last weekend, I didn't know BWoS worked weekends :E , PA1 commenced low speed taxy trials.

Yep, its finally able to move around under its own power and, more importantly, stop.

Doing so with 20 degree flaps was a bit ambitious though :hmm:

Any bets on first flight :cool:

Penguins can movearound under their own steam still doesn't mean they can fly ;)

Anyone have an update?

Quite a few people I am sure.

But as has been said many times the three things that are best done in private are first flights, sausage stuffing and political decision making.

Oh yes, the sausage stuffing thing......:hmm:

Anyone have an update? Taxy trials etc?

Yep

12 Jul 04 - cancellation date!!!!

:O

There is no chance of that beast getting airborne until after the cuts announcement. Would you risk a maiden flight on a project that could be cancelled two weeks later.

"Would you risk a maiden flight on a project that could be cancelled two weeks later."

With nothing to lose, yes I would.

Heard a rumour (and let's face it that is what pprune is all about) that from the contract the next large wodge of cash goes to BWoS when the beast flies - project milestone and all that.

If so, then in their position it woulde make sense to get it airborne soonest.

D4R

Since we are safe for 12 MR4's after the defence cuts.Is there any news on the first flight yet?

Gorilla, Well 12 July has come and gone, and no cancellation :D

Laser, it is my understanding that the initial high speed taxi trials have been carried out down the runway and first flight of PA1 is due some time next month. Fingers crossed ;)

Mad Mark!!! :mad: