Originally designed as a maritime patrol and anti-submarine aircraft, the Nimrod has become famous for its role in support of many air-sea rescues. Less well known is the secondary role for which a number of aircraft were adapted. The original maritime equipment was removed from the airframe, and replaced with a highly sophisticated and sensitive suite of systems used for reconnaissance and the gathering of electronic intelligence. The ability of the Nimrod to loiter for long periods, following a high speed dash to the required area of operation, make the aircraft ideally suited to this task.

Powerplant: Four Rolls-Royce RB168-20 Spey 250 turbofans of 12,140lb st.

Span: 114ft 10in (35.00m)

Length: 118ft 9in (36.19m)

Max Speed: 575mph (926km/h)

Accommodation: Crew of 12

Recognition: The Nimrod Rls are externally distinguishable from the maritime reconnaissance version by the absence of the magnetic anomaly detection tail booms and a distinctive pod on the leading edge of the port wing. In-flight refuelling probes were added in 1982.