Nimrod R1 XW665

HHA secured release of the forward section of Nimrod R1 XW665 for the Speyer Aviation Museum in Germany. The task to transport the front section involved a great deal of preparatory work and liaison with the prime contractor. The preparation work required full environemental and safety considerations including the draning and venting of all fluids and removal of all equipment at the cutline to enable access. The provision of suitable support prior to the cut and separation from the centre fuselage was essential to ensure the separated sections of the aircraft were stable during and after the cut. The lifting required the use of two cranes operating together and required much coordination from the team as each driver was unsighted from the other. The lift and load operation was carried out safely and the section arrived at its new home the next day after a ferry trip and river barge trip to the musem. The pictures below give a brief account of the days events a sad day for this old lady but at least we saved some of her from the scrap yard.
Images courtesy of GC digi pics.

Engineers Panel

View from Flight deck window on low loader

Steel frames and wooden formers specially manufactured for the task

Undercarriage system depressurised and lowered onto frames and formers

Positioning of cranes

Fwd Sling attachment

Rear Sling Attached – Test lift and separation

Lift

Back low loader under load

Whats left behind for scrap

Load panier doors into rear of fuselage and secure radome to rear of load

Off to its new home