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Post by Deleted on May 19, 2013 21:47:16 GMT -5
Beautiful and elegant last flown 1997.
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Post by shred on May 20, 2013 2:27:23 GMT -5
Last flown 2011 as the Nimrod R1.
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Post by Deleted on May 20, 2013 7:29:25 GMT -5
Last flown 2011 as the Nimrod R1. well here's a report on Nimrod R1 at RAF Waddington.
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Post by shred on May 20, 2013 12:01:58 GMT -5
Back in the days of RAF Finningley (now Robin Hood Airport) there was a Nimrod AEW3 Early Comets had severe design flaws which lead to a number of fatal crashes. They were extremely prone to metal fatigue and repeated pressurisation / depressurisation lead to tears around the windows which lead to explosive cabin decompression. Windows were redesigned, more powerful Rolls Royce Avon engines allowed for tougher heavier materials to be used in construction of the aircraft and crucially for more passengers. By the time the Comet 4 had arrived on the scene though, Boeing had released the 707 providing tough competition in the civilian air travel market, the military side of De Havilland was amalgamated into Hawker Siddely, and the Comet 4 platform was chosen for a jet powered maritime aircraft to replace the ageing Avro Shackletons. Problems with the AEW3 variant failing to meet up to the requirements of Politicians meant that Shackleton Airborne Early Warning aircraft remained in service until 1990 when it was replaced by the 707 based Boeing E3 Sentry (which I am reliably informed by someone who has flown one, is a pig to fly).
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