A history of the Nimrod

THE Nimrod entered service with the RAF in 1969. In August 1979 the first MR2 – one of 34 converted MR1s – was delivered to RAF Kinloss.

In November 1980 a Nimrod crashed in Roseisle Forest. All the rear crew escaped but both pilots were killed.

In June 1985 four Nimrods were used to co-ordinate the search for a missing Air India 747 in the Atlantic.

In July 1988 a Nimrod provided airborne co-ordination of search and rescue efforts during the Piper Alpha Disaster.

In September 1995 a Nimrod crashed at the Toronto airshow, killing all seven crew on board.

In September 2006 a Nimrod exploded in mid-air over Afghanistan, killing all 12 crew and two observers on board.

In December 2009 the MoD announced the early withdrawal of the MR2 fleet and its official retirement.