BAE SYSTEMS Nimrod MRA4 - Development Aircraft

(Colour Photograph Top Left) - PA01-ZJ516: Following Taxi Tests on 12/06/2004, the aircraft had its First Flight on 26/08/2004 from Woodford. This aircraft focussed on Aerodynamic and Engine Development.

(Colour Photograph Top Middle) - PA02-ZJ518: First Flight -15/12/2004. This aircraft focused on Mission Systems and Weapons Carriage and Release Development.

(Colour Photograph Top Right) - PA03-ZJ517: First Flight- 29/08/2005. This aircraft was focused on Production Standard Systems Development.

(Colour Photograph Bottom Left) - Such is the precarious nature of test flying to the extremes of the flight envelope that PA01 was fitted with a Rapid Decompression and Escape System. The Pilots and crew practice their evacuation.

(Colour Photograph Bottom Middle Left) - PA01-ZJ516: On completion of development flying after 914.04 airframe hours and 328 flights the aircraft returned to Woodford on 09/03/2010 for temporary storage.

(Colour Photograph Bottom Middle Right) - PA02 - ZJ518: On completion of development flying after 752.33 airframe hours and 236 flights the aircraft returned to Woodford on 05/03/2010 for temporary storage.

(Colour Photograph Top Right) - PA03-ZJ517: On completion of development flying after 205.20 airframe hours and 64 flights the aircraft returned to Woodford on 15/02/2008. This aircraft was scheduled to be refurbished and enter service as a Production aircraft.