NIMROD NOSE STILL ON PATROL

By Tom Docherty

MORAYVIA is an aerospace heritage and preservation group recently established in Moray in the north of Scotland. The group is in the early planning stages of development of a unique interactive aerospace visitor centre in Moray. Acquisition of exhibits for the centre has already begun and among the major items already gathered are a complete Nimrod, XV244, and another Nimrod nose section from the former RAF Kinloss gate guard, XV240. Nimrod XV240 has a complete interior from the cockpit to just aft of the radio navigators workstation.

During this early period the storage, preservation and maintenance of XV244 and XV240 is high on the groups list of priorities. A very experienced group of volunteer aviation engineers has been assembled to do this under the leadership of Sean McCourt and Chris Herbert. Chris Herbert, the engineering manager has no illusions about the magnitude of the task of preserving and maintaining the nose of XV240. He told me:

We have instituted a cycle of anti-deterioration preventative maintenance using a cycle of weekly, monthly, 3-monthly and 6-monthly inspections of various components and airframe parts with the intention of keeping the aircraft in good condition as long as she is outside and exposed to the elementsuntil we can put them under cover.

The nose of XV240 is currently stored in Spey Bay, Moray and has recently had a blank inserted into the open rear end of the fuselage where the cut was made to separate it from the rest of the airframe. This blank will serve to protect XV240 internally and also provide access to the rear through a door positioned in the blank wall. Should Future plans come to fruition for XV240 may be stripped internally to provide include provision of wheelchair access to the front cockpit through this rear blank.

Morayvias members plan to are busy generateing publicity for the group and project by taking the nose of XV240 to major events in the areaMoray. Stan Barber told me of planned events for May to July 2012:

, Moray Future events will include a display of in Elgin on 3rd June as part of the Motor Fun Day, followed by another outing for XV2400, this time to Fyvie Castle, Turriff on 9th June. XV240 may will get her third outing on 21st July again inwhen she will be in Elgin for Elgin Bids a Family Fun Day. Morayvia is planning needs support and volunteers. If you are interested in helping Morayvia would like to hear from you via http://www.morayvia.org.uk/ or membership@morayvia.org.uk (Word count 386)