| Hawker-Siddeley Nimrod MRA-2 over author's house. |
| Future Development |
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The Comet 4, 4B and 4C shared the same basic design, especially the wing root and nacelles, which is the most difficult and time-consuming component to model. A Comet 4 (BOAC) and 4B (BEA) will follow quickly after the release of the 4C.
The Series 1 will be next; the information I need is complete. It will require substantial rework to the fuselage, wings and engine nacelles, which had smaller intakes, a straight path fore-and-aft, and space for a liquid-fuel booster between the two exhausts. Until the disasters, the Comet 1 had a glittering reputation, prototypes in the hands of John Cunningham breaking speed records on test, and also during route trials with BOAC.
The Series 2 is close to the Series 1, with a slightly longer fuselage and modified nacelles for the first installation of the Rolls-Royce Avon engines. Extra power and range heralded another series of record-breaking flights, but the version that saw proper service was the post-inquiry Comet C.2. This did interesting work with the RAF, and it's this version I'll produce.
The Series 3 is outwardly similar to the Comet 4, requiring a paint-work or livery change, modified exhausts and instruments. There was only ever one Comet 3, but it was significant in establishing further speed records, and in being the only Comet fitted with auto-land.
Finally, it is my ambition to produce a Hawker-Siddeley Nimrod, but only if it can be done to the same standard as the Comet 4C. It will involve the weapons bay extension, refuelling probe, modifications to the cockpit and cabin glass, the entire tail assembly, new equipment on the wings, and modifications to the nacelles. The Nimrod MR1, MRA-2 and AEW-3 used larger and more powerful Rolls-Royce Spey engines, requiring a deeper cross-section and larger intakes. The new MRA-4 has substantially altered nacelles with huge, circular intakes for Rolls-Royce/BMW BR-710 high-bypass engines, new undercarriage bays and D-doors. Although I have many photographs for all Nimrods, I have scant technical information, but I have cast the net for more …