Nimrod B.5?

[GTX]

The concept of a using the Nimrod MRA.4 as a pseudo heavy bomber was actually put forward a few years back - I suspect it may even have been by someone in BAe Systems when the upgrade program was in the midst of its problems.  Mind you something that ops in recent years has highlighted is the usefulness of a platform with long endurance both in range and weapons persistance - so go for it (plus I like the B.5 designation ).

Mk IVs are - they won the UK competition for a bomb with GPS, against JDAM

Correct.  The  Mk IVs are both GPS and Laser guided.  This was largely the result of the Kosovo Ops I believe.

I heard that P-3Cs of the australian navy could fired cruise missiles (not sure of that) and this was a way of replacing the F-111s

First point - the Australian AP-3Cs are flown by the RAAF, not the RAN.  Secondly, at this stage the Orions only fire the AGM-84 Harpoon.  You are correct though in that there was a plan to fit the Orions with a 'cruise missile'.  This was under Project AIR 5418 (Follow-On Stand-Off Weapon).  The initial aim of the project was to equip both the F/A-18 Hornet and Orions.  The weapon selected (twice!) was the AGM-158 JASSM.  In the end though it was decided to only equip the Hornet with it.  A mistake in my belief since the Orion is a much more capable platform and would have benefitted from such a weapon - one can only hope for the Orion repacement (which will in part  be probably be either a P-8 or even a re-winged, upgraded Orion).  I say in part, since under AIR 7000, it will also partly be replaced by something like Global Hawk.

Regards,

Greg

[RLBH]

I'd be tempted to go for a crew of four: two pilots, a navigator/bombadier and one EWO. Probably use some of the remaining space to accomodate a second crew for long-endurance missions (even if it never gets used due to manpower cuts), and seal off the rest. Keeps it being used for lobster ferry flights.

I've been knocking this idea about in my head for a good while, and it does seem like a logical thing to do.

[AeroplaneDriver]

I'd be tempted to go for a crew of four: two pilots, a navigator/bombadier and one EWO. Probably use some of the remaining space to accomodate a second crew for long-endurance missions (even if it never gets used due to manpower cuts), and seal off the rest. Keeps it being used for lobster ferry flights.

I've been knocking this idea about in my head for a good while, and it does seem like a logical thing to do.

If only you were Lord Drayson    

[lancer]

So, going totally into the realms of fantasy here, a Nimrod B5  Would it have rear mid upper and forward gun turrets?? Cammo scheme as RAF WW2 heavies ?? Day - green/earth extending down the sides with medium sea grey undersides and Night Green/Earth on top only with black undersides extending up the sides?? Or wold turrets spoil the graceful lines of the Nimrod?? The floor is now open for comments , ideas, cat calls, hoots of derision or whatever...  

[Maverick]

Well,

Neato idea, but if it was real they'd make em all Hemp (yech) or grey (zzzzzz).

I'd go for the Late Coastal Command scheme, always thought it'd look well cool on other birds.

Mav (Waiting for Airfix's Nimrod.. .now I have a reason)

[AeroplaneDriver]

Well,

Neato idea, but if it was real they'd make em all Hemp (yech) or grey (zzzzzz).

I'd go for the Late Coastal Command scheme, always thought it'd look well cool on other birds.

Mav (Waiting for Airfix's Nimrod.. .now I have a reason)

I bet the Royal Marines and Paras hunkered down fighting Johnny Taliban wouldnt give a toss if it was sky blue pink if it could loiter for half a day and drop 20+ PGMs!

So has anyone heard any rumors of MRA.4 conversions for the much anticipated and hopefully still coming Airfix MR.2?

[Captain Canada]

When's that kit due out ?

Can't wait !

[Geoff_B]

Well,

Neato idea, but if it was real they'd make em all Hemp (yech) or grey (zzzzzz).

I'd go for the Late Coastal Command scheme, always thought it'd look well cool on other birds.

Mav (Waiting for Airfix's Nimrod.. .now I have a reason)

I bet the Royal Marines and Paras hunkered down fighting Johnny Taliban wouldnt give a toss if it was sky blue pink if it could loiter for half a day and drop 20+ PGMs!

So has anyone heard any rumors of MRA.4 conversions for the much anticipated and hopefully still coming Airfix MR.2?

Nick we got the initial impression when the kit was originally announced that the first run would be the MR1. R1 and MR-2P, with a possible adaptation later on for an MRA4 issue once these aircraft enter service. Not sure if Trev will have got the kit to break down in such a way to allow this but they certainly wanted to go down that route.

G

[Archibald]

I heard that P-3Cs of the australian navy could fired cruise missiles (not sure of that) and this was a way of replacing the F-111s

First point - the Australian AP-3Cs are flown by the RAAF, not the RAN.  Secondly, at this stage the Orions only fire the AGM-84 Harpoon.  You are correct though in that there was a plan to fit the Orions with a 'cruise missile'.  This was under Project AIR 5418 (Follow-On Stand-Off Weapon).  The initial aim of the project was to equip both the F/A-18 Hornet and Orions.  The weapon selected (twice!) was the AGM-158 JASSM.  In the end though it was decided to only equip the Hornet with it.  A mistake in my belief since the Orion is a much more capable platform and would have benefitted from such a weapon - one can only hope for the Orion repacement (which will in part  be probably be either a P-8 or even a re-winged, upgraded Orion).  I say in part, since under AIR 7000, it will also partly be replaced by something like Global Hawk.

Regards,

Greg

Merci for the info!  ^_^  The JASSM / Orion combo is probably what I heard... and it went to naught.
Hmm Nimrods changed into heavy bombers...    

something cool would be reforming some squadrons wich operated V-bombers in the 60's... 39 Sq (they had Victors with Blue steel) ?

IHMO, with cheap and proven cruise missiles (such as JASSM, Scalp, Tarus, and the like) aircrafts such as airliners, maritime patrollers or cargoes can replace
F-111s, Buccs, Tornados... that's a fascinating idea!

The idea that P-3s (armed with cruise missiles) can replace F-111s sounds strange...
but in the end its quite logical, considering that the range of these missiles (100 to 300 kms) allow the launch platform to stay out of the ennemy air defences...

so the launch platform is no longer a fighter nor a bomber!

[Howard of Effingham]

gonna have to have me a nimrod too now.

the possibilities look good with it.

anyone like say aeroclub gonna do an AEW3 conversion kit?  

before i get flamed, i knew a engineer lass at marconi who lost her job over
this one getting cancelled and it still erks me.  

trevor

[Joe C-P]

(on a personal note, I dislike the "J" being in every freaking US program nowadays...  makes for wholly unpronounceable acronyms-as-words, unlike "Amraam" which rolls off the tongue...)

I'm waiting for some thick bureaucrat to name a new weapon the "Joint Intermediate Strike Missile".

Which are older: Nimrods or B-52s?
I've built a Nimrod, in 1/700, out of a DML/Dragon kit. Someday it'll go into a shadowbox diorama with an Oscar SSGN and a Trafalgar SSN.

JoeP

[B777LR]

Which are older: Nimrods or B-52s?

B-52, however i do think that if you count the DH Comet as the nimrod, it is older

 

[MAD]

I know this is an old thread, but I just found this excellent work of the Nimrod MP.l. It emphasises the designs massive (although seemingly shallow!) weapons bay. Which in my opinion would be very useful in the bomber role!

Note: Picture is from Flight International
Enjoy

M.A.D

[Mossie]

Falcon did one not long after the Airfix kit was released:
http://www.whatifmodelers.com/index.php/topic,19406.0/highlight,nimrod.html

[Weaver]

As far as I know, the MRA.4 can carry just about any modern smart weapon since it has the latest databus standard (I forget the number): all it needs is the software. No idea what they intend to actually clear it for though.

An MRA.4 conversion for the Airfix MR.2 would be very complex because the whole wing is different, including MUCH thicker engine bays.