Heavy Metal Heading South: Nimrod Jacks on the Move
Heavy Metal Heading South – Nimrod Jacks Begin Their Journey to XV232
Another important piece of the XV232 relocation puzzle is falling into place this week, with a set of Nimrod aircraft jacks preparing to make the journey south from Kinloss to Coventry.
For a project involving an aircraft the size and weight of a Nimrod, the right ground equipment matters just as much as the people doing the work. These aren’t simply convenient pieces of workshop equipment: the correct aircraft jacks will become an important part of safely supporting XV232 as we move further into the dismantling programme.
Transport arrangements have now been coordinated with CCG Commercial Ltd (thank you again to the Team at CCG) for collection from Kinloss Barracks, the former RAF Kinloss, with support at Kinloss to get the driver through the site and the equipment loaded.
At Coventry, members of the XV232 team will be on hand to receive and offload the equipment.
For many of our followers, seeing Nimrod equipment moving from Kinloss to support XV232 will have particular significance. Kinloss was home to the Nimrod force for decades, and equipment that once supported the fleet in RAF service can now help another Nimrod take the next step towards preservation.
We are especially grateful to the Morayvia team at XV244 for loaning us the jacks and helping make this important step possible.
The next stage is getting closer
The jacks are due arrive tomorrow, as preparations on the aircraft itself continue to gather pace.
Work is progressing on the ailerons and wingtip pods, flap preparation is beginning, and the team is also working through the equipment, tooling and procedures that will eventually be required for engine and major structural component removal.
Every piece of equipment we can source, borrow or recover reduces the amount the project has to buy or hire — but there are still substantial costs ahead, including specialist contractors, lifting equipment, transport, storage and the eventual reassembly of XV232 at RAF Manston History Museum.
This project is being built one practical step at a time.
Sometimes that means removing a bolt.
Sometimes it means finding a specialist tool.
And sometimes it means arranging for several very large pieces of former Nimrod ground equipment to travel the length of the country.
Destination: Manston.
If you’d like to help us keep that journey moving, please consider supporting the XV232 relocation fund. 👉 Donate: https://www.zeffy.com/en-GB/donation-form/save-nimrod-xv232-help-us-secure-her-future-2