THE NIMROD

ILLUSTRATED HISTORY OF THE MIGHTY HUNTER

Writer: Martyn Chorlton Publisher: Amberley Publishing Price: £14.99

The Nimrod was one of the Royal

Air Force’s greatest and most iconic maritime patrol aircraft, in service for over 40 years. Originating in the mid1950s with the need to replace the propeller-driven Avro Shackleton, the Nimrod was based on the de Havilland Comet airliner. It entered service in 1969 and was only supposed to be an interim solution. Instead, it went on to serve in four variants on operations over home waters and in war zones around the world well into the following century.

As well as the maritime patrol versions, the R.1 variant was a platform capable of intelligence gathering across a range of spectrums. Only in the early 2000s, with the tragic loss of an aircraft over

Afghanistan and the spiralling costs of the MRA.4 programme, was the Mighty Hunter finally retired.

Though small, this book is packed with information, and over 140 black and white, and colour photographs and drawings. Beginning with an overview of the procurement and development of the MR.1, the book crams in plenty of technical information but remains highly readable. Subsequent chapters cover the history of the later variants – the R.1, MR.2, and MRA.4. One chapter summaries the operational record of the Nimrod, from the Cod Wars through the long years of maritime patrol from the UK to the Falklands War, and finally to both Gulf Wars and Afghanistan. Full technical specifications and details on squadron service are included.