Nimrods To Be Grounded

[Mayfly]

according to Look North this lunch time the MOD are to ground the Nimrods to allow for 'engineering modifications' believed to be connected to the problems that caused the death of 14 service personal in September 2006.

[MadNaddy]

2006?!?!

I guess it's good it's happening how before any other accidents happen!

[Xplumberlives]

I guess that will be to address the Air to Air Refuelling problems that they have had, no point in having a long range/duration recce platform that can't tank!

[Saracenman]

and about time too!

had the bean-counters listened two years ago and allowed the mods then perhaps those Aircrew would still be alive!

sm

[Xplumberlives]

and about time too!

had the bean-counters listened two years ago and allowed the mods then perhaps those Aircrew would still be alive!

sm

Bit more than two years but YES they might have not been in that awful situation.

[RLN]

As you say it is to mod. the hot air ducts, and replace re-fuelling seals. It is only the Nimrods that have not had the mods. done, not all. Accountants should be sent to the front line to see what it is like. Before anybody moans, I haven't been in the forces, but i don't control the purse strings which allow our forces to do their job.

[Mackrick]

The UK Royal Air Force is to restrict operations of its British Aerospace Nimrod MR2 and Nimrod R1 surveillance aircraft fleets for the next several months, following a decision to complete essential safety modifications to the aged types.

Required modifications include replacing engine bay hot air ducts and fuel seals in 15 MR2s and three R1s, six of the aircraft have so far received the improvements.

"These programmes were due to complete by 31 March but, unfortunately, problems with the provision of replacement fuel seals mean that both programmes will be delayed beyond that date. In order that the risks involved in operating the aircraft remain tolerable and as low as reasonably practicable, no Nimrods should fly after 31 March, unless their hot air ducts have been replaced.

[Mackrick]

This one still works...departing Brize 23 March 09

[Saracenman]

what might that have been doing there then Mackrick? unusual for MRs to come down this way isn't it?

[Mackrick]

Weather divert.

[Saracenman]

ah! that's the oldest reason in the world!