HS 801 Nimrod Second Prototype

Both Prototypes were constructed from the last two Comet 4C's at Chester, but unlike the first the second was completely finish as a Comet and seen here landing at Woodford after its First Flight from Chester on 25th Oct 1965.

It then began its conversion into the second HS 801 Prototype. The major change in both fuselages was the removal of a 6ft 6in section of the fuselage barrel just forward of the wing leading edge this can be seen clearly in the photograph taken at Woodford in 1966.

To save time and money it retaining its original Avon Engines but due to the large amount of electrical power required for the equipment it had large alternators fitted in air cooled housings beneath each engine.

It was based at Woodford for Avionics Development. First Flying as such on the 31st July 1967. Later it joined the MR2 Development program, First Flying as such on 15th April 1977 until eventually being delivered to Farnborough on 24th Sept 1981after 14 years of development flying.

It ended its days at Warton being the 'Iron Bird' to help in the development of the Nimrod MRA4.