The Tragic Story Of Nimrod XV230

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The Hawker Siddeley Nimrod was one of the most iconic aircraft deployed by the British Military in recent times. It was developed during the Cold War as a futuristic high-tech aircraft capable of carrying out reconnaissance and surveillance on enemies. Following the Cold War it was used in a variety of different conflicts such as the First Gulf War, Second Gulf War and also the Falklands War.
The whole point of the Nimrod was surveillance and spying, however it was later modified to act as a bombing aircraft capable of dropping weapons onto enemies, and also high tech equipment. It was initially designed though by using the shell of the highly successful commercial aircraft the Comet 4. By ripping out all the seats and heavily modifying it, the Nimrod was born.
The story of Nimrod XV230 however is extremely tragic. During the Nimrod's service history lasting many decades, it had a rather good accident record however on the 2nd September 2006 this would all change. The tragic accident in which XV230 blew up in mid air, killing all 14 crew members on board would create a huge degree of controversy in the media. It would be found that an issue on the Nimrod had been ignored with regards to being able to complete air to air refuelling.
The accident involving XV230 would result in the grounding of the Nimrod's and eventually their retirement in 2011. The findings of several inquests would be incredible shocking for the families, the media and also the Royal Air Force. It's clear that the tragic loss of 14 lives could have easily been avoided if proper maintenance had taken place.
Join us today as we look at the biggest single loss of British Military personnel since The Falklands War, and the 'Tragic Story Of Nimrod XV230.'
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Music by: I am a man who will fight for your honour by Chris Zabriskie

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4 авг 2020

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Комментарии : 287

@leesmith3560 3 года назад

I flew on 230, and other Nimrods, as a crew chief from Kinloss, and got to know some of the crew who sadly perished on her, during my six years on them. The Flight Engineer was a particular friend, and the Captain was my son-in-law's cousin, and I knew several of the back end crew. This tragedy hit me hard, and I will never forgive the MOD for covering up the deficiencies in its fuel system. Even as the engineers responsible for maintaining the aircraft, we were not aware of the serious nature of what we thought of as minor problems. It is a sobering thought that my life had been at risk on many occasions. RIP my friends.

@ColKlinkerhofen 3 года назад

I remember when I was in the ATC we came to Kinloss on a camp. Fantastic experience, I hurt my foot and was unable to take part in the set activities but spent most of my week with the MT section. I loved seeing the nimrods, easily the most beautiful modern aircraft I've seen in person.

@chrisjordan5112 3 года назад

@@ColKlinkerhofen Likewise! Think I was at Kinloss in 93/4 for annual camp & flew 5 hours in a Nimrod, never been airsick like it!

@ColKlinkerhofen 3 года назад

@@chrisjordan5112 rub it in, only 5 cadets out of maybe 30 got to fly :(

@chrisjordan5112 3 года назад

@@ColKlinkerhofen Did you stay in the nuclear-proof concrete shelters? That, the walk to the mess hall, the air experience flight and the disco in a black function suite are my enduring memories!!

@ColKlinkerhofen 3 года назад

@@chrisjordan5112 we stayed in the proper accommodation buildings, this is probably 13 or 14 years ago now. We did the disco though. My flight luitenant is now my neighbour and I still almost call her ma'am when I see her.

@deanworsley5208 3 года назад

Ex RAAF Maritime patrol Orion aircraft maintainer here, worked with these guys many time. Due to the cross pollination between our squadrons we were all hugely hit when the loss of this one, terrible day, may they all be resting in peace 😢

@abbysquires9656 3 года назад

I just wanted to thank you for making this video. My father was on this flight and I was too young to understand what had happened at the time. Its nice to see it all explained.

@TheUntoldPast 3 года назад

Hi Abby, thanks for your comment! This means a lot, I hope you and your family have found peace with this horrific incident. Thanks again for the comment.

@tonykennedy9811 3 года назад

Your dad was a great man Abby, great sense of humor too ☺️

@theBodger 3 года назад

I worked on these Aircraft and they were serviced by skilled workers with pride in their work. They were stripped and checked over at NMSU at Kinloss, Don’t believe so called facts written by people who never had any hands on experience with them. Brave man your Dad RIP. Real hero.

@danielhill9473 3 года назад

Hi Abby, am so sorry for your loss. Unfortunately i remember this day too well. I was serving in the RAF Regiment at the time at Kandahar. I deployed to crash site of your dads aircraft around 45 minutes after the accident to make sure your dad and his friends returned home. If i can help and answer any questions you may have, please contact me. Again am sorry your loss. Dan

@cavdragoon 3 года назад

Hello Abby, as many have said, I am sorry for your tragic loss. In 2006 I was a member of the Canadian Armed Forces battlegroup located 1.5 km away from where this terrible crash took place. I eye witnessed it from the ground as it unfolded, and was part of the first group on the scene to secure and recover it. I spent approx. 48hrs on the scene. My eyewitness account was recorded by RAF personal on the ground, and than later back in Canada by RAF representatives in charge of the investigation for the BOI. My statement is within that BOI if of interest to you. I put this out to you in case you have any questions about that day or its aftermath. If I can help, than I would be glad to. One of the victims, Sgt. Ben Knights family at one point contacted me with questions and I did my best to answer them all from my perspective. So please do not hesitate. Kindest and warmest regards.

@happilyham6769 3 года назад

I absolutely love the Comet and how the engines are inside the wings. It looks so futuristic.

@FiveTwoSevenTHR 3 года назад

@@tobiasgaze748 it was the shape of the windows and the riveting that caused the explosive decompression. The engine placement made it difficult to maintain them.

@tomclifton1607 3 года назад

@@tobiasgaze748 The windows were redesigned and other modifications made, but the lead was lost and Boeing's 707 was quick to dominate.

@carsandstuff365 3 года назад

Hard to service and remove surely... they must have to take the wings off

@carsandstuff365 3 года назад

@Javier Solis obviously, that doesn’t answer my statement though

@carsandstuff365 3 года назад

@Javier Solis you basically stated the obvious which has no relevance to how the engines are serviced

@thedie-castaviator4081 3 года назад

The RAF bought out a Nimrod to the Avalon Air show in Melbourne, Australia in the time frame 2005-2009, can't remember the year exactly. What i do remember is the smoke from the engines and the fantastic flying display. Amazing looking aircraft. Good to see the Comet became the successful Nimrod. RIP for those 14 crew lost in this tragedy.

@symie8 9 месяцев назад

This may sound strange, but thankfully, there were only 7 crew members on the aircraft. Whilst doing displays, they would fly with a skeleton crew. I was an armourer at Kinloss, and I flew on many Nimrods back and forth to various detachments. Loved it. On this day, we were due to play the Squadrons football team in a 'play-off' match to decide who won the league. Both teams equal on points, and only 1 team could be promoted. We turned out that day, got changed, and ran out onto the pitch, at which point we noticed a distinct lack of opposition. Basically, we were alone. Then, slowly walking towards us came one of the squadrons players, who sadly informed us of the incident and subsequent loss of personnel. To say you could've knocked us all over with a feather would have been an understatement. Needless to say, the match got cancelled. In the end up we gave them the league title. Small reward for such a massive loss 😢😪

@motorcop505 3 года назад

I once saw a Nimrod do a complete air show routine at Dover AFB, Dover, DE, USA. When they landed, a crew of 10+ came stumbling out. I couldn't believe it!

@shanechopko5523 3 года назад

Are you from Delaware?

@navret1707 3 года назад

When I was stationed in Iceland I was able to catch some flight time in a Nimrod. It was a little off putting watching the fuselage twist in turns. Other than that, it was smooth as glass, but then, I was used to P-3’s which ride as rough as a cob.

@tvideo1189 3 года назад

I am also an alumni of COMFAIRKEF. Stationed there in the early 70's in the ASWOC. Spent half my career in P-3's (B and C models) then switched to S-3B's when I got commissioned. The P-3's ride was stiff because the aircraft was developed from the civilian Electra model which had an unfortunate habit of losing its wings in flight. After the main spar was redesigned, the P-3's never had a problem with losing wings but they rode like empty cement trucks. Can't complain, they got me home every time even considering 4 inflight fires from various sources ranging from the galley stove to the HF coupler turning itself into a welding machine.

@angeltransportpjects 3 года назад

Sadly I knew five of the guys who died on board XV230 on 2nd September 2006. It was doing a 51 Squadron ‘borrow’ from 120 Squadron which didn’t use the refuelling gear as the aircraft flew in Loiter Mode to conserve fuel with 120 Sq. The refuelling equipment was inop. Though it hadn’t been when fitted this had fallen into disuse. RIP to my five Pals. Drinking Friends are irreplaceable ...

@alexanderturner6670 3 года назад

🥺🥺

@bmused55 3 года назад

I lay the blame for this incident squarely at the feet of our government. They cut MOD funds time and time again, then send our forces to far away places on less than a shoe string budget with less that half the equipment those forces need to get the job done. It is of little wonder then, that the ageing machines would eventually falter. The people who ordered those flights to continue despite the maintenance issues were almost definitely getting pressured by their superiors who were in turn being pressured by jackass civilian in a suit sitting comfortably in London. Men in business suits kill our armed forces. Not fuel leaks, bullets or explosions. Men in suits, who have never once faced a life threatening situation. Cowards.

@geoh7777 3 года назад

@bmused55 "The people who ordered those flights to continue despite the maintenance issues were almost definitely getting pressured by their superiors who were in turn being pressured by jackass civilian in a suit sitting comfortably in London. " This is assuredly true and it can't be denied that all of these "high performance" individuals represent in microcosm the leadership in control of all humanity today: a group of veritable psychopaths without any morals whatsoever. Put your trust in them at your own peril, and the peril of your neighbors.

@jetdriver 3 года назад

The same thing has been true with the US Navy and the collisions that have occurred. Ships that haven’t had the maintenance they need. Crews that lacked proper training. And an operational tempo designed to run people into the ground. Several layers of command should have put their foot down and said no. But sadly moral courage is not an attribute that gets promoted.

@JetFire9 3 года назад

Now it’s high tech billionaires that are the big threat to civilization.

@thetooner8203 3 года назад

@@jetdriver "...an operational tempo designed to run people into the ground. ..." That's not what they design the operational tempo to do. It's a foreseeable consequence of trying to meet ambitious objectives with insufficient resources, but there's no commander sitting in an office and telling his staff, " Design the operational tempo to run people into the ground." (Unless he's telling them it's to run the enemy's people into the ground.)

@jetdriver 3 года назад

@@thetooner8203 your right of course. The Ops tempo was not designed specifically to burn people out. However as you note it was an entirely foreseeable guaranteed consequence of what they were doing. Which is the same thing in my view. In the end we have two collisions and dead sailors because leadership in the Navy at multiple levels put their careers ahead of their sailors.

@tonykennedy9811 3 года назад

I remember being at work that day and being told the news. Still sends chills down my spine to think how it happened and knowing I wouldn’t see some good friends again.

@barr474 3 года назад

The whole Nimrod project was compromised by government, MOD, BAe, and RAF incompetence . Economics taking precedence over robust engineering and safety

@franciscouch8378 3 года назад

Doesn't it always....

@dombieandson3955 3 года назад

I was part of a team that erected scaffolding around a Nimrod at Woodford for the painters,mid 1960’s.We asked for a look inside and the guy said “Ok but don’t touch anything.” Parked outside was a Lancaster,and in the hangar opposite a Vulcan with what looked like hydraulic presses on the wings. PC

@grahamhodge8313 3 года назад

I worked at Woodford in the late 1960's. I suspect that what you saw was not a Lancaster but a Shackleton, which had a very similar airframe. The Vulcan with "hydraulic presses" on the wings was almost certainly the Vulcan fatigue test specimen. I was present when the fatigue test program was concluded and they played Wagner's Flight of the Valykyries over the tannoy system while it completed its last cycle.

@Yama_Apri_521 3 года назад

I was a SNCO posted to Kinloss in 2009 as a Weapon Training instructor on the MR2. I was also involved in the introduction process of the upgraded MRA4 variant and stayed with Nimrods until it became clear the end was in sight; whereby I requested a move to rotary at Benson. Despite its age the MR2 was a capable aircraft. The MRA4, on paper, and in the simulator, was a huge step up in capability. However, the overall aircraft structure and later re-design attempt was deeply flawed and it was inconceivable that it would ever be signed off as fit-for-flight. The incompetence, at ministerial levels and within BAe led to the waste of an obscene amount of tax payers money, the loss of an entire maritime capability (until later replaced); which also resulted in the loss of Kinloss as part of the RAF real estate, and further diminished the UK military’s ability to meet operational demands. There is so much more to this topic, maybe I’ll save it for a book!

@commandingjudgedredd1841 3 года назад

If you do. I'd buy that book.

@thetooner8203 3 года назад

@@commandingjudgedredd1841 If you do, can I borrow your copy when you've finished?

@commandingjudgedredd1841 Год назад

@@thetooner8203 Sure. 😁

@vaughanlockett658 29 дней назад

I worked on MRA4 at Woodford 2008. I was working on the RJ 146 , when the Nimrod was started around 2002-3 the project was set back because problems with the pressure floor and the new wings and engine specticals . fitting onto the old Airframe. It commenced work again in 2005 but was abandoned after 4 air craft were completed.

@callumw9067 3 года назад

XV230 was my fathers first command; and was on its first flight in 1969 from St Mawgan. His memoirs talk about the ill fated fuel intake routed through the hole in the fuselage that was originally for the navigational sextant.

@GaiusCaesarAugustusGermanicus. 3 года назад

Wow! You can't even fly home built aircraft with it being certified but here you have a military aircraft that's flown across the globe without certs...

@Delta2D2 3 года назад

I’m RAF (Retired), I remember a visit to Lossimouth and Kinross, where I couldn’t believe the rust & leaks streaming out them all. Nevertheless, to have already spent £40m on the refitting, with a £10m exit fee, we never forgave Cameron for putting a bulldozer through them. But it was a good excuse to close another airbase when there’s no aircraft. Thanks again for a very well put together video.

@travelbugse2829 3 года назад

I can believe almost anything these days when Government officials are involved. Like having aircraft carriers with no 'planes. Don't you just love politicians?

@scottiramage317 3 года назад

Have you actually watched the video - they shouldn’t of been in the air!!!

@Yama_Apri_521 3 года назад

I was at Kinloss on the MR2 and then on the MRA4 introduction side. I didn’t have a problem with the scrapping, nor did any of my colleagues. The issue is that the transition to a new platform (and by that I mean ‘new’ and not just another updated Comet) should have been undertaken a lot sooner. Had that happened, the capability would have been maintained and likely the base retained.

@spitfire451 3 года назад

Is it really a shock that the MOD knew about the fuel leaks???? Time after time we here how the bean counters undercut and put our brave airmen in harm's way..... It's fighting with one arm behind your back.

@stoneworx09 3 года назад

one arm behind your back, with one eye open .

@joedavid129 3 года назад

prior to the problem the MOD knew not during the flight they knew about the leaks in 2005 then once in a different climate it made the leaks worse but the flight had to keep surveillance.

@Dave-hu5hr 2 года назад

Like Hillsborough innit.. Bastards.

@Dave-hu5hr 2 года назад

Or Jimmy..

@martinjones12 Год назад

The fault of this accident lies squarely on the spineless SENGO/JENGO that failed to ground the aircraft to preserve their chance of promotion....... the fault was well known.... was well documented,,,,,, the Engineering hiarachy refused to do what NEEDED to be done to enhance their own careers,,,,,,,,,take a careful look at what happened to the Engineering Officers who were found at fault,,,,,,, then see who badly this affected their careers......if at all .

@zebop917 3 года назад

As a visiting civvy at RAF St Mawgan in the late 70s, I managed to get a ride on one of these. I have never experienced air sickness as bad as that since.......

@commandingjudgedredd1841 3 года назад

Got air sick on one off these Nimrod's as an ATC cadet on an EAF. What didn't make it better was sitting next to the galley. What a smell.

@sumpyman 3 года назад

Thanks for this. My first posting from training was to Kinloss and NLS in 1999. Did a few search and rescue trails and a couple of ops so travelled extensively in a Nimrod. They always reminded me of Thunderbird 2 when they taxied past and have fond memories of them. I certainly recognised a couple of the crew when it happened and one was my last guard commander so got to know him well. So sad.

@Robinmuk 3 года назад

Calling the Comet 'highly successful' is pushing it somewhat.. The Comet was the first commercial jet airliner (another British 'first' amongst so many), although it's fair to say there was quite a learning curve to begin with! 'Eventually successful' would be a better description. The very first were grounded (voluntarily) after several crashes and break-ups in mid-flight until the problems were sorted (a great story on it's own). Still, pretty good for 1949.. and as so often.. the first.

@iambiggus 3 года назад

I get nervous buying a first generation car, imagine being on a first generation passenger airliner? No thanks.

@MrMelgibstein 3 года назад

The first De Havillands were a little more exciting to fly.

@thomasmetcalfe6640 3 года назад

Theres a nimrod parked up at coventry airfield next to my flight school, looks amazing

@james94582 3 года назад

Would be awesome to see one in person... Unfortunately none to be seen here in the US... Guess one more thing to put on the list if/when I ever make it that way

@jude_the_apostle 3 года назад

One at Manchester airport too, I think you can still tour it along with Concorde

@kishascape 3 года назад

Government is full of Nimrods as well.

@abingdonboy 3 года назад

Aeros or L3?

@sturmtigerking4263 3 года назад

There is one at bruntingthorpe airfield in Leicestershire. It is in fast taxi condition although this is no longer going to happen due to Cox automotive taking over the proving ground.

@chriscorker5634 3 года назад

Thoughts to the crew and their family's . A well presented video, nice work.

@TheUntoldPast 3 года назад

Thanks for the comment Chris. It's a truly tragic story.

@robchisholm72 3 года назад

Having spent over 3 yrs working at RAF Kinloss on the Nimrod fleet and deploying with all 3 Sqn's, I personally knew most of the ill fated crew, especially the back end guys. The loss shook the community to the core and I lost a good friend that day. In a twist of fate, the Toronto crash in 1995 of XV239 also took place on the 2nd September..... A day still remembered by many connected to the RAF's maritime community to this day.

@paulmulks 3 года назад

Love it when I stumble across a channel like this! New sub 😎

@markarmstrong5848 3 года назад

I remember growing up around these Aircraft at Kinloss while my dad was serving at Kinloss and Lossie. Loved the Airshows and MRA4 was my favourite. I grew up and then joined as an MTD lol should have been a Techy. Great video and a solid salute to the fallen.

@macpdm 3 года назад

Saw these being scrapped at Woodford and they had just undergone millions in new upgrades. Very sad 😔

@TheNapalmFTW 3 года назад

Yep that was a travesty

@routmaster38 3 года назад

All down to treacherous CA,Moron he was even worse than his hero Bliar!

@sturmtigerking4263 3 года назад

There is one currently at bruntingthorpe however it can no longer run due to Cox automotive. That is the one with 40 on its tail I have seen this a few times.

@stevenpryce7808 3 года назад

@@sturmtigerking4263 & 1 at Elvington near York

@stevenpryce7808 3 года назад

Not as sad as the deaths of the crew

@TeamYankee2 3 года назад

I flew on one of these out of Cyprus ... It was amazing, but had a leak in the rear sonobuoy deployment "revolver" thingy at the rear and had to stay low level all day.

@MattClare1 3 года назад

I think it would have been worth noting this was not the first fatal Nimrod crash. In 1995 one crashed in Toronto at the Air Show killing 7.

@hf1495 3 года назад

I saw that very Nimrod at the Dayton Air Show a month before it crashed in Toronto.

@commandingjudgedredd1841 3 года назад

And in 1980, a Nimmy crashed shortly after takeoff at RAF Kinloss, due to a bird strike. It resulted in two casualties. The pilot and co pilot.

@awuma 3 года назад

Yes, I saw the crash off Toronto, then for several weeks saw up close the recovery operation. It was in my "back yard", since I was living on my boat at the Ontario Place Marina.

@cpgravenor Год назад

I was the flight line mechanic who serviced it that night, a day I’ll never forget, I saw the whole thing, and the wreckage. I knew both pilots.@@commandingjudgedredd1841

@SteveAndAlexBuild 3 года назад

Great Video thoroughly enjoyed it thanks 🧱👍🏼

@TheUntoldPast 3 года назад

No problem! :) Thanks for the comment mate!

@SteveAndAlexBuild 3 года назад

@@TheUntoldPast 🧱👍🏽

@noway2837 3 года назад

There was a Nimrod crash at the Toronto Canada Air Show in 1995

@spishco 3 года назад

Witnessed it with my own eyes. :(

@stalag14 3 года назад

I was there.

@angeltransportpjects 3 года назад

True. All crew killed.

@Firebrand55 3 года назад

@@bobdylan7120 'There are bold pilots and there are old pilots; there are no bold old pilots'...RIP nonetheless.

@glennread3305 2 года назад

Both on the same day 11 years apart 2nd September

@moneymandan6217 3 года назад

Excellent documentation

@jedispartancoolman 3 года назад

Remember seeing these in Ace Combat 6 and being so intrigued by them. Only see them in one operation in a single mission. Makes sense since a ton weren't built

@robheason 3 года назад

Well done. I think you managed to encapsulate the issue very well in 12 minutes. Well presented and well articulated. For deeper background on the airworthiness failures, which MoD dismissed in court as 'irrelevant', there is an excellent book by David Hill called 'Breaking the Military Covenant - Who speaks for the dead?'' (He's published two others, on the Chinook ZD576 and Hawk XX177 accidents). It has a chapter on XV230, and explains why MRA4 was cancelled. Look for the Kindle version, only a couple of quid. There is a link in the book to a download of the evidence to Haddon-Cave.

@PaulA-zp7hn 3 года назад

what a beast! Never heard of these. Would love to have heard it take off...

@JetFire9 3 года назад

Here you go: Whoosssiooooiiooooooooiioooooooosssiooooosssoooiiooooo....

@simonpalling3215 3 года назад

Good vid thanks.

@PerfectInterview 3 года назад

The Comet was not a successful aircraft. Version 1 suffered two catastrophic crashes due to metal fatigue and the entire production run was grounded and scrapped. Version 4, the basis of the Nimrod, was marginally successful but BOAC and many other carriers soon replaced them with Boeing 707s as they were better aircraft and more economical to operate. The U.K. MoD adopted them as maritime patrol aircraft, just as the US Navy adopted the failed Lockheed Electra as their patrol aircraft. Had it not been for government intervention, the Comet 4/Nimrod would have faded into obscurity many years ago.

@KillieGuy1 3 года назад

Better aircraft? In what sense.

@richardsilva-spokane3436 3 года назад

Excellent presentation and information 👍

@tonypoch 3 года назад

I flew in to theatre with all the guys who perished that day. We had a couple of days together and also had a couple of hours waiting for our Hercules to off load its cargo in the middle of the Iraq airfield for 2 hours. Our only shelter was an iso container! We had only been in theatre for a few weeks before this tragic event. I got to know the airloady and thought he had perished on this aircraft too, but unknown to me he wasn’t Q’d to fly in front line ops so was transferred with another loady a few days before. He was devastated as he was grateful for his life but guilty about his crew and the replacement air loadmaster. The crew from the tanker was also based at our base and witnessed the whole event as they had just refuelled the Nimrod and had coms with them. Awful event.

@Simon_W74 Год назад

My Father used to work on Nimrods from 1982 at Kinloss, with a short stint at in 86 to 87 at Waddington with the AEW Nimrod until it was scrapped, then returning to Kinloss once again to work on them until 89. During his First posting he lost one of his friends in an accident with an engine on a Nimrod. I can't remember what Sqn's he was with. I have fond memories of the Open days and even standing at the end of the Runway when the Nimrods came in over Findhorn Bay if we happened to be in the area.

@cpgravenor Год назад

I was doing a ground run on the bay up from that guy, I was on NLS, he was ASF. A sad day, I heard the engine go bang. I served at kinloss from 1980 until 86 when I went to Brize Norton.

@leezinke4351 3 года назад

Great video!

@allandavis8201 3 года назад

An excellent mini-documentary, well researched and presented, however, I must disagree with you about the Nimrod looking like an airliner, no aircraft I have ever seen, worked on or flown in has looked less like an airliner than the Nimrod, or have a Bombay let alone one as big as the Nimrods. 😀👍🇬🇧🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

@tf6252 3 года назад

Very sad story indeed - on a side note however, along with the Victor, the Nimrod has to be one of the coolest looking ugly aircraft ever made

@TheUntoldPast 3 года назад

I agree with that. You can genuinely see the use of the De Havilland Comet 4 in the creation! If you ever visit the Imperial War Museum at Duxford, have a look inside the Comet 4. It's mad to then think all the seats were ripped out and placed there was a bomb bay and also the best recon equipment money could buy! Thanks for the comment mate.

@tf6252 3 года назад

TheUntoldPast Yes definitely - the engine placement on the comet is unmistakable

@adampoultney8737 3 года назад

Victor is not in the ugly category!

@navnig 3 года назад

@@adampoultney8737 That was the most beautifully sinister looking aircraft ever made......It just had the look of something that was made to wipe out a city.

@navnig 3 года назад

@@adampoultney8737 Another point or two on the Victor, it was for a time, the largest aircraft to break the sound barrier (unofficially) and until the B-52 was fitted with external weapon pylons under the wings, the Victor actually had a larger payload. It was a fantastic, understated aircraft!

@markosborne4486 Год назад

I remember watching these birds take off from RAF St Mawgan back in the 80s. Majestic sight

@bbeen40 3 года назад

I don't think anybody will ever make more beautiful aircraft than the English.

@Draxindustries1 3 года назад

We used to make the fuel intake valves and pipework for the Nimrod and other aircraft. Ridiculous that after 41 years it was deemed not airworthy..

@kathilarrysloan8604 3 года назад

The A/C taxiing @ 6:40 has no rudder

@goneutt 3 года назад

Thank whole “engine inside the wing at the root” seems the height of not thinking worst case scenarios out. Everything else has engines on hard points separate from the structure, even after decades of few catastrophic turbofan explosions

@davidbaker6250 3 года назад

Irrelevant, fuel leak onto very hot kit (not in engine) and no fire extinguishing in that compartment (as noted in the investigation report - the paperwork said that there was, but the actually wasn't). No way to fight the fire or stop it spreading...

@kdrapertrucker 3 года назад

I like how he glossed over the comet's alarming tendency to pop like a balloon at altitude.

@redcat9436 3 года назад

That only happened to two aircraft and was no longer an issue after the cabin windows and antenna openings were redesigned.

@awuma 3 года назад

@@redcat9436 Fifty years earlier, involving the smaller Comet 1. The Nimrod was descended from the Comet 4, the first trans-Atlantic jet airliner.

@habu179 Год назад

Not very grateful for a pretty good video !

@dandare2586 3 года назад

So if the Nimrod was never properly serviceable why was there the ill fated attempt to make it an AWAC platform undertaken at great cost to the taxpayer????

@kishascape 3 года назад

Because Nimrods. Duh

@paulmarchant9231 3 года назад

Ever heard the expression " black programs"? If you need to produce something in secret, you have to find the money somewhere..... To launder it from something else that is in plain view......

@dandare2586 3 года назад

@@paulmarchant9231 Better be worth it......

@rmcguire7033 3 года назад

I don't know how many people know that Nimrod was used in the Falklands War flying in Chilean Airspace along the mountainous border with Argentina, it was based offshore on a Chilean Island and disguised as an Airliner, albeit with a discrete RAF Roundel. It was supplied with Fuel on this Island by Hercules based on Chilean owned Easter Island. See ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-7DVy3D2eglE.html in which you will also learn of a British AAA Battery Based in Chile and the SAS involvement there. You will also find an interesting book where all this is explained, written by the 'Air Attache' to Chile at the time. It is a long video, but watch from the beginning, the secret stuff that went on in that 'conflict' was more important than I ever imagined. RIP to all those who lost their lives in the terrible accident above, my Father survived a Beverley crash near RAF Thorney Island when I was a small boy, in which crew members died, RIP to them too.

@raymondyee2008 Год назад

The BBC Panorama episode on this tragically avoidable loss brought me here.

@lewisaviation7552 3 года назад

ah... the Nimrod. My Grandad flew that! He was an RAF pilot, and this was one of the main aircraft he flew.

@yan24to 3 года назад

I was at Raf St Mawgan and Kinloss, I flew a few times in these as passenger, about 4 interesting flights.

@TheUntoldPast 3 года назад

Hi Ian, that sounds fantastic! Do you have fond memories of flying in them?

@yan24to 3 года назад

@@TheUntoldPast It was an adventure,first flight was on a patrol up around Norway saw the Northern lights,they were dropping sonar buoys etc got to see how all the equipment worked also I actually got to sit in the co pilots seat for a small while, which seems crazy now, Second flight was a transit flight St Mawgan to Kinloss which took 90 minutes, I went back on the train which took 24 hours, any person in the RAF at the time could put their name down for a flight, I don't know how many took up the opportunity though , but I'm glad I did.

@TheUntoldPast 3 года назад

Fantastic, sounds great mate!

@richardnixon4345 3 года назад

Made a change from your usual job......peeling potatoes and wiping tables in the mess

@michaelgrey7854 Год назад

Most Nimrods were New Builds. Not ex Comets. Only the first two prototypes were adapted from existing comets.

@skipgetelman3418 3 года назад

Just like our Challenger explosion People made terrible decisions

@craftpaint1644 3 года назад

Not exactly the same, but I'm reminded of a US Navy diesel submarine back in 1988 that had a small water leak in the battery well that was ignored because the boat was old and drips were common. One fine day there was a fire in the battery well. People died. I don't think the Navy gave a damn, dying in the service and all that - perfectly acceptable.

@johnhague5155 Год назад

Maybe now you will understand for your eyes only and the chad that loves you Aisling. JMH💛.

@GetInGarage 3 года назад

i did get to see XV226 at Whenuapai RNZAF Base Auckland in February 2005

@williekp1 3 года назад

I have personal experience of senior RAF officers blatantly lying to save there own sorry skins. Take a look at the scandal around the Chinook that crashed on the Mull of Kintyre. The first duty of a board of inquiry is to find someone down the line to blame.

@habu179 Год назад

Not surprised about the seniors in the RAF.....the position attracts a certain sort of sly ba****d. (not all of course)

@jasonrushton5991 3 года назад

Rest Easy, Lost Soul's.

@paulefc1971 3 года назад

Sat in XV230 many times, as well as most of the other Nimrods, they were old aircraft but I loved them

@michaelcampin1464 3 года назад

I was on the last commercial flight of a comet 4b by Danair so many years ago.

@amw6394 3 года назад

How was the Comet compared to newer jets?

@michaelcampin1464 3 года назад

@@amw6394 to be honest it was basic. But I've still got the souvenirs they gave us.

@awuma 3 года назад

Sadly, I never flew on a Comet. I well remember the huge fleet of them owned by Danair at Gatwick in the early '70s.

@sturmtigerking4263 3 года назад

Something we will no longer see running at bruntingthorpe airfield as Cox automotive said they want the planes moved. This is very sad and three buccaneers have already left.

@ReneChewbaka 9 месяцев назад

I believe that you misspelled Hawker (Wakwer) Siddeley??

@raywite6665 3 года назад

I always thought the Nimrod was used as a hurricane hunter.

@icarus_falling 2 года назад

I managed to get a flight in a nimrod from Lossiemouth around 2003/4 as a cadet. Headed northeast for a while and I remember them dropping devices. These were great aircraft. But they were designed in the 1940's. We should have upgraded them as we went rather than randomly shoving tech in. They were great aircraft when used correctly. And destroying the new aircraft was a real waste

@tibchy144 3 года назад

in WW2 they at least had parachutes

@risk0systemsuk171 3 года назад

How do you ignore a fuel leak in an aircraft 👀🤨 Must have been a slow closing valve that finally gave up. What is important but not urgent always becomes a problem. Sad story. May they all rest in peace.

@jimmcgee3016 2 года назад

The Nimrods had integral tanks, not bags in the wings, the sealant regularly gave way. As an engine man on Nimrods this was a regular repair which we had to carry out. I left the Nimrod fleet in late 1982, so this issue had been around for at least 25 years and as the airframe gets older the issue gets worse.

@GaryLaaks1 3 года назад

One thing Humanity learns from history is that we learn nothing at all. At some point cutting corners is going to byte you. I bet it was all driven by leadership as always and the drive to save money and stay under budget etc etc.

@24934637 2 года назад

The Comet is still an absolutely gorgeous aircraft! Incredibly modern looking for it's time! From an aesthetics point of view I think that the tail could be improved, but that's just my personal view. What happened to the Nimrod program was a political tragedy and a complete waste of money. Although it was great to see the Shackleton continue it's service for such a long time, the cancellation of the Nimrods was insanity! Taking into account that aircraft such a the B52, the RC-135W Rivet Joint and the C130 Hercules have been in service an amazingly long time there is no sensible reason that the Nimrod couldn't also have been kept active! Pure political stupidity typical of the Labour Government at the time.

@PenDragonsPig 3 года назад

We used to watch Nimrods go round and round, and touch and go landings all day, seems like everyday, at St. Mawgan- loved them things. I was living in the US when I heard they were being sneakily scrapped. Governments don’t deserve loyalty.

@richardwilliams7668 4 месяца назад

I worked on both the comet and nimrods both had leaks and we said to each other a tragedy was waiting to happen I wish we were wrong

@tonypoch 3 года назад

These AC, after landing, had aircraft fuel dripping from their wings and around there chafes and flares.

@tedbaxter5234 3 года назад

Rest In Peace.

@danbreen0 3 года назад

Tragic...

@TheUntoldPast 3 года назад

A horrific incident which could have been so easily avoided with the correct maintenance and safety procedures. Thanks for the comment mate.

@gordonbain5411 3 года назад

@@TheUntoldPast Not that simple as the report into the accident revealed.

@shermansquires3979 3 года назад

Wait! They actually used old commet airfeames? My dad was on 206 squadron, in Kinloss.

@unclestuka8543 3 года назад

Same old story, the Brits were given a job to do without adequate equipment. upgrading the old Comet was a bodge up from the start, trying to compete with the Boeing AWACS was never on .Whether it was airframe or Radar . brave crews lost because the RAF didnt want to let the Yanks down in a war zone. ( similiar MoD thinking with the Challenger Tank, when the Army defending Estonia/Latvia, finds itself without a Big counter punch, end of story )

@anethers7545 20 дней назад

Interesting that it had just completed air to air refueling, did XV230 still have the fuel awful hoses coming down through the flight deck and along the cabin floor?

@Billhatestheinternet 3 года назад

Wait, so this aircraft was not airworthy from the moment it was constructed? That's nuts.

@jeremyclarkson5548 3 года назад

No I don’t think so the amount of flying time and different places was making its ware quicker than it should have been as it was doing long hours going through day and night with change in temperatures so I don’t think it was unworthy. It was a brilliant plane for how long it lasted

@geofflancaster8542 7 месяцев назад

You need to remember that SFAR88 and even BAR66 didn't exist when this aircraft was designed.

@lautoka63 3 года назад

As I can't see any reference in the comments, here's a link to the Haddon Cave report on the accident: assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/229037/1025.pdf The report is unlike any I have read in over 3 decades in the airline industry, as it explicitly names people who "failed in their duties". The Executive Summary includes: Lamentable job 10. Unfortunately, the Nimrod Safety Case was a lamentable job from start to finish. It was riddled with errors. It missed the key dangers. Its production is a story of incompetence, complacency, and cynicism. The best opportunity to prevent the accident to XV230 was, tragically, lost. (Chapters 10A and 10B) General malaise 11. The Nimrod Safety Case process was fatally undermined by a general malaise: a widespread assumption by those involved that the Nimrod was ‘safe anyway’ (because it had successfully flown for 30 years) and the task of drawing up the Safety Case became essentially a paperwork and ‘tickbox’ exercise. (Chapter 11) Criticisms of BAE Systems 12. BAE Systems bears substantial responsibility for the failure of the Nimrod Safety Case. Phases 1 and 2 were poorly planned, poorly managed and poorly executed, work was rushed and corners were cut. Personally, I think it's a fantastic review, which pulls no punches. The 737 MAX enquiry could have done well to use Haddon Cave QC as its role model.

@aiasis3983 3 года назад

I remember using the word Nimrod as a derogatory description and had no idea of its origins. Lol NOW I KNOW.

@habu179 Год назад

Erm, right.

@matt-770 2 года назад

I’m not a military aircraft buff, but doesn’t this show how scarce resources are/were for the RAF? Would the USAF for example deploy maritime patrol aircraft into an operational theatre like Afghanistan?

@ED-es2qv 3 года назад

Well, they named it Nimrod; what did they think would happen? Seems like there’s often a nimrod involved in crashes of any type.

@BLD426 3 года назад

Buck Rogers goes Carp fishing. Never seen so much ugly in one plane. Maybe A10 but it's cool.

@user-qg8fy6id3t 3 года назад

I was serving at RAF kinloss in 1980 when a Nimrod crashed due to a bird strike. Sadly pilot and co pilot died.

@diceman199 3 года назад

My Father was crew on the Nimrods out of Kinloss. They experienced a bird strike as well but fortunately the plane made it home.

@user-qg8fy6id3t 3 года назад

@@diceman199 yes Kinloss is right on the Moray firth lots of birds in the area there were woods at the end of the runway I guess the birds maybe came out of them as the plane crash landed in the wooded area. The crash could of been so much worse as I think there were 16 SOB that flight. A very sad day for RAF Kinloss.

@davidbaker6250 3 года назад

@@user-qg8fy6id3t As I recall the problem was geese. It was more a case of hitting a number of birds pretty much as the aircraft took off. The aircraft was unable to climb away and crashed into the forest shortly after takeoff.

@user-qg8fy6id3t 3 года назад

@@davidbaker6250 I dont know which bird it was but I guess a flock of geese would take out 3 of the RR spey engines on a Nimrod. I was a Medic there at the time and as I and other work colleagues ate our breakfasts the crash call rang out. It still sickens me to this day what happened because I was 18 at the time and I was duty medic whilst the the officers were in our morgue awaiting post mortem. Its something thats never left me as did the 2 jaguars colliding over otterburn range in northummberland years later. These guys flying fast jets never really get the recognition they deserve because what they do everyday of their service is dice with death for the benefit of us all.

@davidbaker6250 3 года назад

@@user-qg8fy6id3t I was onboard the daily Tapestry (fisheries protection) aircraft on the pan as it happened, getting ready for a fairly long boring flight - needless to say we scrubbed the trip. There was a fair degree of luck in birdstrikes, it depended on how many, where they hit, and what you were doing at the time, on that morning all the bad luck lined up.

@CDNShuffle 2 года назад

i saw this crash at the CIAS when i was a kid

@billb7876 6 месяцев назад

I have had 2 flights in that Nimrod at Bruntingthorpe. Such a shame the runway runs are no more, best to avoid cocks automotive or whatever their name is

@metallampman 3 года назад

It gets NO points for beauty gawd

@dozer1642 3 года назад

Which nimrod named this aircraft?

@craighagenbruch3800 3 года назад

with the poor record of the nimerod did this carry on from the poor record of the comet as well?

@davidbaker6250 3 года назад

The aircraft (which I flew as crew on) was not unsafe - the Canada airshow crash was pilot error, which can happen on any aircraft. The aircraft flew for many years without a hitch. The AAR system was introduced in a rush during the Falklands conflict and, frankly, that introduced a significant weakness that caused this crash.... bear in mind that even with this flaw the aircraft flew with AAR fit without problem for 20 more years, so it's not like there were bits falling off regularly. As aircrew we regarded it as being a very safe aircraft to fly.

@BaddaBigBoom 3 года назад

"Howard" Wilson?!!!

@grahamjones4888 3 года назад

Yes I thought that as well!!

@BaddaBigBoom 3 года назад

@@grahamjones4888 ..was in power just after Fred Heath ;-)

@MultipliedByZero 3 года назад

This is the G.I. Joe of Comets.

@greyarea3804 3 года назад

Did this happen before or after the Nimrod that crashed in Lake Ontario during an airshow?

@davidbaker6250 3 года назад

After

@awuma 3 года назад

The Ontario crash was in early September, 1995.

@theBodger 3 года назад

Was 230 an R version ?

@johnlathwell7667 3 года назад

@@bfc3057 It was a standard MR, the only R that was lost was XW666

@paulefc1971 3 года назад

The R versions were sinister!! Remember one flying into St Mawgan in the early hours of the morning (still dark) whilst I worked on the line, very hush hush and hardly anybody allowed near it, which only added to the mystique that surrounded the R aircraft, as has been already answered XV230 was an MR2

@theBodger 3 года назад

@@bfc3057 I worked on the R Versions They had an Armed guard on station at all times. Lots more R version Aircraft out there Not all Nimrods 😎

@theBodger 3 года назад

@@johnlathwell7667 ahh yes. 666 sign of the Devil 😱

@allybally0021 5 дней назад

Black Buck was 'infamous'? I take-it you are from Argentina. LOL.

@johnelsiekennaugh8403 3 года назад

Senior officers should have been charged and jailed for this incident along with some civil servants-- trying to reach the top was all” they cared about”.