Handley Page Nimbus Multirole Combat Aircraft

[McColm]

Handley Page designed and built an escort fighter for the Royal Air Force's V Bombers although not required at the time the H.P. Nimbus would undertake long-range fighter, reconnaissance, maritime strike and ground-attack missions. Fifty aircraft were pencilled in but only twenty-five became operational,  two became trainers, two for engineering/ground maintenance training and two undertook trials testing before becoming target practice for the gunners.
It was 18 Group that adopted the Nimbus in the maritime strike and reconnaissance role which gained the designation FGR.1B, flying at low level over water quickly corroded the airframes, with no money to solve the problem the H.P. Nimbus was phased out of operational service ending their days on the gunnery range .

Support did come from the Admiralty as  the H.P. Nimbus successfully landed and took off from Lake Windermere, the boffins ruled this out as the sea state would need to be calm for this procedure to work, too big to land on an aircraft carrier.
Trials were also carried out with a personnel pod fitted in the bomb bay for casualties or troops but this ended up being used as a long-range fuel tank. Camera packs, SLAR and other equipment could be carried in the weapons bay.

This isn't my idea entirely, the bulk comes from the 1/72 Matchbox H.P. Victor K.2 model without the cockpit,  tail airbrakes and fuselage. It does have parts from the Airfix H.P. Victor kit. The new cockpit comes from the old Airfix F-4B Phantom which fits surprisingly well. It needs PSR and yes it isn't in alignment. Measure twice, cut once but this doesn't work if the floor isn't level in my hobby room.

[The Rat]

 

[kerick]

Interesting combo!

[McColm]

The T.2 training variant had an extended cockpit which could accommodate upto twenty students in the navigation role or twelve passengers with luggage.
18 Group saw the potential for a maritime patrol version and contracted SJMcColm Engineering Ltd to convert nine, designated MR.3. These aircraft used carbon fibre materials on the leading edges and engine air intakes .A retractable in-flight refuelling probe and magnetic anomaly dector at the rear. An arrestor hook was fitted along with underwing pylons, a retractable FLIR and fixed searchlight, sonorbouy launchers and marker dye chutes, chaff dispensers and later ESM pods. Under the cockpit an array of fixed cameras and SLAR radar.
Unlike the fighter-bombers the MR.3s were restricted to flying at a maximum speed of Mach 1.5 during transit, with a cruising speed of 600 knots, stalling speed of 150 knots, maximum ceiling of 35,000 feet.
A multitude of paint schemes was applied with no two looking the same, although on the books as experimental aircraft under the Admiralty the crews were taken from the Royal Air Force's Shackletons.

[McColm]

Changes have been made and I'm still working on the profile.

[kitbasher]

Changes have been made and I'm still working on the profile.

That's very Thunderbirds Fireflash!

[McColm]

Changes have been made and I'm still working on the profile.

That's very Thunderbirds Fireflash!

Thanks 

[McColm]

The Fireflash now has a wooden stand with the landing gear stowed. PSR continues with a maritime surveillance feel as it has a M.A.D. boom at the rear of the T-tail.