Hawker Siddeley Nimrod MR.2

INTRODUCTION

The Nimrod MR2 was the first line of defence against submarine warfare in the U.K. Its priority task was airbourne reconnaissance against invading submarines but was also involved in search and rescue due to its underwater search capabilities. The type was produced by Hawker Siddeley, powered by the Rolls Royce Spey engine, it was a modification of the de Havilland Comet which was the first commercial jet airliner. The Nimrod fleet was in operational service until 2011 where it was retired. The type was due to be succeeded by the Nimrod MRA4, but due to cost and time overruns the project was cancelled.

OUR AIRCRAFT

The aircraft acquired by the charity is the MR.2 used as the training simulator for the type. We understand only two flight training simulators existed. The units were exact copies of the flightdeck and used for conversion onto the type as well as ongoing check rides for serving military pilots on the Nimrod. The simulator was produced by Rediffusion, the authorised simulator production company, and once operated in a multimillion pound facility. Unfortunately when the Nimrods were retired in 2011 this training simulator was ready for disposal. We acquired it 24 hours before it was to be sold to a local scrap dealer.

WHAT'S NEXT

Over the recent 8 years, we have worked very hard to source all of the missing internal equipment to bring Nimrod back to a completed state. This has involved a great deal of time, effort and investment to secure the future of such an important part of history. After what has undoubetly been the charity's biggest restoration to date, we were delighted to confirm the exhibit would be showcased at the Cornwall Aviation Heritage Centre for the 2021 season - one of its former RAF bases, where it remained up until the demise of the centre in 2022. In 2023 Exeter College took over the loan of this exhibit, and it is used as a teaching aid and display piece for young aviation engineers at the Future Skills Centre.