Falklands Crisis 1982 (1)

Tuesday, April 13th. 1982

The following question was posed by the Ministry of Defence."How quickly could we install and prove a Flight-refuelling system in Nimrod Maritime Reconnaissance aircraft?"

Tuesday April 27th. 1982

Fourteen days later Nimrod XV229 was airborne at Woodford piloted by Deputy Chief Test Pilot John Cruse and a Boscombe Down Co-Pilot, checking handling characteristics with the refuelling probe and all other external features fitted.
On the following day airborne hook-ups were successfully demonstrated behind a Victor tanker. In parallel with these activities ground Fuel-transfer trials were being carried out at Flight Sheds on the first fully converted aircraft.

Friday April 30th. 1982

The system was fully cleared in the air with fuel transferred from the Victor Tanker. Eighteen days from the drop of the flag to the finishing post.
This was a quite remarkable achievement requiring not only determination and hard work but also considerable ingenuity and adaptability to devise the simplest possible scheme. A tremendous show of team spirit from all concerned.