(Right) This model of XV148 shows the colours worn when in service with the RAE Bedford (model Author)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Comet 6477 Nimrod prototype XV148 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| check out the restoration of the nose section | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The DH airframe 6477 started life as the very last Comet 4C and was subsequently converted to become the first prototype Nimrod. (Right) This model of XV148 shows the colours worn when in service with the RAE Bedford (model Author) |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Left, XV148 being completed at Chester in 1967 (BAE SYSTEMS) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1962, Built at Chester as Comet 4C, however was not sold and remained partially completed when it was stored pending further use. When Hawker Siddeley developed the plans for the Nimrod it was decided to complete XV148 as the aerodynamic prototype. This was made easier due the airframe only being partially completed. XV148 was to have the enlarged air intakes and be refitted with the Nimrod's Rolls Royce Spey 250 engines. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| May 23rd 1967, XV148 was completed in early 1967 and made its maiden flight in the hands of Hawker Siddleley's test pilot John Cunningham and Mr. J. Harrison, (John Cuuuningham in command of the first few flights), Mr. S. Dixon-Stubbs (Navigator), two flight engineers and two observers. The aircraft flew from Chester to Woodford where it undertook extensive flight trials. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Hawker Siddeley used XV148 for basic airframe and engine development work based at Woodford near Manchester. Between May and September 1968 it was used by A&AEE for assessment trials at Boscombe Down until being returned back to Woodford in October 1968 for further development work. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| In February 1969 until March 1970 XV148 was prepared for missile testing work and then from March 1970 until January 1972 it conducted AS12 and SSII trials from Woodford and Boscombe Down. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1972, the Nimrod participated in Searchwater development work and then returned to HS at Woodford before being allocated to the RRE at Pershore on 23rd December 1975 for avionics and weapon systems research. XV148 moved to RAE Bedford IN 1977 and was finally retired form use Iin 1982. The final flight was made in 1982 when it returned to Woodford for structural stress and fatigue testing. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The nose and structural test rig during 1997 (Author courtesy of BAE SYSTEMS) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| October 1999, the nose section was acquired from BAE Systems and after trimming off unwanted stripped fuselage was transported to Guildford for long term restoration and some TLC. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||