The Nimrod replacement P-8 or RC-135?

[TallEng]

Of course 'they' could just add a few more A330MRT's to those already bought/leased
A330Maritime Rolled Tanker  

Or what about the AVRO MRSA? (Must Refurbish the Shackleton Again 

Regards
Keith

[Weaver]

There was serious talk of smaller European nations (The Netherlands in particular) joining the MRA.4 programme to the tune of 3 or 4 aircraft, but then drawing them as needed from a common fleet. In other words, they'd always have four LRMPAs that were "theirs" (with arrangements for more on a surge basis) but they'd get the logistics advantages of a bigger (24 aircraft?) fleet.

Now building an MRA.4 model isn't easy, but you might imagine a similar arrangement with P-8s, RC-135s or any other Nimrod replacement. It could even end up as a Joint NATO force, along the lines of the NATO AWACS fleet.

Speaking of a Nimrod replacement, What If they'd cancelled the MRA.4 earlier (when even I would have thought it sensible, if not pleasant) and gone for a less ambitious upgrade of the MR.2 with MRA.4 avionics and systems? Basically, forget the new wings and the BR-715s and "just" fit the digital flight deck and new generation mission systems. Now that's a model you could make: an MR.2 with MRA.4 lumps, bumps and aerials.....

[pyro-manic]

That would have been sensible, and would make for a good model. Nimrod MR.2a?

I've been eyeing up a Revell A319 in my LHS, that will quite possibly get turned into a European MPA. Don't know whether it would be a RAF (Charybdis MRA.1?) machine, or possibly French/Dutch/Indian etc...

[RLBH]

Speaking of a Nimrod replacement, What If they'd cancelled the MRA.4 earlier (when even I would have thought it sensible, if not pleasant) and gone for a less ambitious upgrade of the MR.2 with MRA.4 avionics and systems? Basically, forget the new wings and the BR-715s and "just" fit the digital flight deck and new generation mission systems. Now that's a model you could make: an MR.2 with MRA.4 lumps, bumps and aerials.....

You mean something like the MR.2 Mid-Life Update that was cancelled and the records thrown out when we bought into the P-7 project, whose the mission system went into the AP-3C, then was developed into the MRA.4 and P-8 mission systems? Nah, that would never work....

[Scooterman]

Argentinean or Chilean Nimrod anybody?  
It would look well in Hemp with the blue, red and white star and may be a dark grey upper with a light grey underside for the Argentinean version.

I got a Chilean Nimrod in the pipeline, but not what you think..............

[McColm]

I'm building a Nimrod with TF-33 engines, based on the EC-135 'Looking Glass' aircraft flown by the USAF. I'll be adding a spin top from a Hawkeye and it's a five point tanker.

[albeback]

I'm building a Nimrod with TF-33 engines, based on the EC-135 'Looking Glass' aircraft flown by the USAF. I'll be adding a spin top from a Hawkeye and it's a five point tanker.

Now THAT'S an interesting concept! Probably this is an obvious question but ,may I ask if you are planning to graft the complete  KC/EC-135 wings on to the Nimrod ? My own Nimrod "replacement" is almost complete but,I have an idea for another one using a Revell Airbus A321.

Allan

[Spey_Phantom]

i had a similar idea some time ago, but ended up using it as an AEW platform instead.
you should see Hobbes A319 conversion, very inspirational 

[albeback]

i had a similar idea some time ago, but ended up using it as an AEW platform instead.
you should see Hobbes A319 conversion, very inspirational 

I just did thanks.. Very impressive piece of work. However, I have a Revell A321 in my stash so I  thought I'd use that rather than buy another kit. The extended fuselage will make it easy to fit a weapons bay forward of the wing root. I also have a Revell A320 which I'm going to build as an AEW platform   

[McColm]

I'm building a Nimrod with TF-33 engines, based on the EC-135 'Looking Glass' aircraft flown by the USAF. I'll be adding a spin top from a Hawkeye and it's a five point tanker.

Now THAT'S an interesting concept! Probably this is an obvious question but ,may I ask if you are planning to graft the complete  KC/EC-135 wings on to the Nimrod ? My own Nimrod "replacement" is almost complete but,I have an idea for another one using a Revell Airbus A321.

Allan

No just the engines and internal/external parts. The fuselage has been used to extend a Heller 1/72
C-135RF. I've got three sets of C-135 wings and six CFM engines. The CFM engines are to go on my
C-135MR1 maritime patrol aircraft.

[McColm]

The recently retired RAF Sentinel was reported to be able to carry out ASW or maritime reccy missions. As it uses the same engines as the Nimrod MK4.

[Hobbes]

I just did thanks.. Very impressive piece of work. However, I have a Revell A321 in my stash so I  thought I'd use that rather than buy another kit. The extended fuselage will make it easy to fit a weapons bay forward of the wing root. I also have a Revell A320 which I'm going to build as an AEW platform   

Thanks 

I'd suggest swapping the two: Airbus did a proposal for an ASW version of the A320 for India. The A321 is more suited for AEW (higher wing loading, so it won't work as well at low altitudes).

[Nick]

Can it not be based on the Airbus 330 for cost savings with the current RAF Voyager fleet? Or is that too sensible... ?

[pyro-manic]

The A321 is more suited for AEW (higher wing loading, so it won't work as well at low altitudes).

A higher wing-loading is better at low altitudes, as it gives a smoother ride.

[Hobbes]

You're right of course, don't know how I mixed that up.

The A330 would be a good option for AEW (as you'll want as many operators as possible on board). It's rather bigger than necessary for ASW.