BAE Nimrod

[Thorvic]

What-If Nimrods

Following on from Falcons excellent RAF Nimrod B4 bomber variant, i thought some might be interested in what the real export orders Hawkers did go for with the Nimrod.

RAAF - Runner up in comp to replace Neptunes to the P-3C in 1974 (RAAF already had P-3B orions from the late 60's). Orion, 707 MPA and Atlantic were other contenders

CAF - Canada considered the Nimrod as an option to replace the Argus, selected modified Orion as the Osprey but later changed to Aurora, 707 MPA & DC-10 MPA also offered

JMSDF - Neptune replacement, Nimrod, Orion, 707 MPA and Viking offered, orion Selected

Netherlands - Neptune replacement in comp with the Orion.

India - Connie replacement, Nimrod shown off in goodwill visit but Il-38 May selected

Brasil - Offered in 70's before its economy and thus budget went south.

South Africa - Interested as Shack replacement but political circumstances prevented it.

Argentina - Neptune replacement but no funding.

Just to give an overview of valid Nimrod possibilities and a use for thoses P-3/Atlantic decals.

Cheers

Geoff

[Aircav]

Well, after a bit of thought I've decided to do two Nimrods for the Northern show, one Chilian AF and the other Singapore 

[Martin H]

Mine (when I finally scratch together the pennies to pay Thorvic for it), will be SAAF.

Planning a whole alternative SAAF theme for next year, so this will slot in nicely.

cheers

Duncan

Good. A replacement for the vac form one that i did a few years back

[Jeffry Fontaine]

The recent WHIF created using the new Airfix Nimrod kit has me wondering what the Nimrod was actually cleared to carry as far as ordnance in the weapons bay.  Another question I have to ask is why are the bomb bay doors not constructed in sections to allow opening of only the section of the weapons bay from which you wish to release the ordnance?

[Captain Canada]

Good one, Thor. It sure would have been nice if some ( why no all ! ) of those countries had them. You guys could have scored some attrition airframes buy taking them from the Argies during the war. It also would have put the MRA.4 in better stead if there was a queue of countries wanting the upgrade.

[AeroplaneDriver]

The recent WHIF created using the new Airfix Nimrod kit has me wondering what the Nimrod was actually cleared to carry as far as ordnance in the weapons bay.  Another question I have to ask is why are the bomb bay doors not constructed in sections to allow opening of only the section of the weapons bay from which you wish to release the ordnance?

IIRC the MR.2 is/was cleared to carry Stingray torpedoes, depth charges, and free fall nuclear depth bombs (US B-57s, but NOT the WE.177 depth bomb from what I remember).  I also remember reading somehere that it was cleared to carry 100lb GP bombs, but that this was not a normal fit.

According to an article in Air Forces Monthly not too long ago MRA.4 (if it survives) will normally carry topedoes and depth bombs, but will also be built to carry Storm Shadow, Paveway and JDAM.  The tone of hte article seemed to indicate that there is no plan currently to use Nimrod as a bomber or stand off platform, but that the capability is already there if that changes in the future.

[GTX]

What if during one of the upgrades it was decided to replace the buried engines on the Nimrod with podded under wing (or even over wing) engines.  Apart from possible landing gear changes, this may have freed up the former engine area for something as well.

regards,

Greg

[Jeffry Fontaine]

What if during one of the upgrades it was decided to replace the buried engines on the Nimrod with podded under wing (or even over wing) engines.  Apart from possible landing gear changes, this may have freed up the former engine area for something as well.

Sounds like a plan for a kit bash using the Nimrod fuselage and adding the wings and engines from the E-3 Sentry for the wings and engines.  CFM-56 powered Nimrod?  That would look interesting as a general arrangement drawing. 

[Scooterman]

Simple really.  What is in the teardrop fairing on the top of the Nimrod's tail?

[AeroplaneDriver]

It's full of sweets.

Or the 'Yellowgate' Electronic Support Measures system, can't remember which.

[RLBH]

From what I remember, the pod on top of the fin is empty. The ESM moved to the wingtip pods whenever it was that they were fitted (MR.2 introduction?) but the pod was left because removing it would have adverse effects on stability. Or handling, or something like that.

[Thorvic]

Oh Bugger, whilst the export options have plenty of What-if potential there is a slight problem in trying to do them - Most of the Orion/Aurora aftermarket decals are long out of production  .

The current issue of the Hase Orion is either one of the special scheme boxes without the standard kit decals or the Revell Boxing only has the current US/Dutch and German schemes rather than the older versions. Aussie Decals do the later grey RAAF scheme but the full colour version is not available nor is the original Canadian or Dutch options. Export Orion decal sheets have long disappeared with superscale leaving whiffing options a little thin on the ground. 

G

[Howard of Effingham]

Oh Bugger, whilst the export options have plenty of What-if potential there is a slight problem in trying to do them - Most of the Orion/Aurora aftermarket decals are long out of production  .

hmm, thorvic. ok, so nigeria may not have wanted nimrods or orions but on the ZOTZ roundels of the world sheets
that cover africa you do get nigerian navy roundels c/w anchors. otherwise i don't disagree.

btw, the april 2008 issue of air international has a very good article on the nimrod R1 and includes a interior shot of
some of the rear cabin,  and some interesting possiblities such as the nimrod R5 [elint version of MRA4].

trevor

[Martin H]

who saw the AEW 3 conversion test shots on the Camett stand at Cosford?

...lotta resin in that set. and at a good price (when it is released) £25 a set according to the little note they had sitting along side an inbuild example.

[kitnut617]

who saw the AEW 3 conversion test shots on the Camett stand at Cosford?

...lotta resin in that set. and at a good price (when it is released) £25 a set according to the little note they had sitting along side an inbuild example.

If you haven't, check out this photo Steve Gardner sent me.
http://www.whatifmodelers.com/index.php/topic,19554.msg275312.html#msg275312