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[Nickbat]

I'm afraid there is a lot of waffle, half truths and conjecture, let alone rumours and down right untruths in this thread.

If you wish to read the FULL report ...  all 587 pages of it  ... it is here

http://www.official-documents.gov.uk/document/hc0809/hc10/1025/1025.pdf

There is/was nothing inherently wrong with the Nimrod airframe, and old age does NOT make an an aircraft unsafe.

The basic problem is that 3 times in its life it had major modifications done, and those responsible never looked at the interaction of those modifications between the original aircraft and the other modifications.

When the opportunity arose to look at these problems  .. the work done (Nimrod Safety Case Review) was shoddy and incomplete.

THAT is what caused the loss of some of my mates, not a "bad" or "old" aircraft.

And for those that don't know me I spent 38 years flying multi-engine military aircraft.

As always, Entwood, I respect your views. Even more so on this occasion, given your experience.

In view of that experience, I would seek ask your opinion on whether it may have been a better judgment to have gone with the Sentry, given the far longer "in service" record of the 707 on which it is based. 

[Entwood]

The Nimrod was planned as a long range, low level maritime reconnasance aircraft, and did the job superbly during the cold war, and still does as a long range search and rescue aircraft... there is nothing to match it for speed to area, followed by time in area. It is now used as a medium level surveilance/communications platform.

The Sentry was designed as a high level fighter control/command and control platform.

The comparisons are apples and pears.

The Nimrod is comparible with the P3 Orion (which it knocks spots off in every way)

The Sentry has no comparable platform .. which is why all NATO contribute to its operation.

[Nickbat]

The Nimrod was planned as a long range, low level maritime reconnasance aircraft, and did the job superbly during the cold war, and still does as a long range search and rescue aircraft... there is nothing to match it for speed to area, followed by time in area. It is now used as a medium level surveilance/communications platform.

The Sentry was designed as a high level fighter control/command and control platform.

The comparisons are apples and pears.

The Nimrod is comparible with the P3 Orion (which it knocks spots off in every way)

The Sentry has no comparable platform .. which is why all NATO contribute to its operation.

Thanks for that informed response, Entwood. 

[Martin_1962]

The Nimrod was planned as a long range, low level maritime reconnasance aircraft, and did the job superbly during the cold war, and still does as a long range search and rescue aircraft... there is nothing to match it for speed to area, followed by time in area. It is now used as a medium level surveilance/communications platform.

The Sentry was designed as a high level fighter control/command and control platform.

The comparisons are apples and pears.

The Nimrod is comparible with the P3 Orion (which it knocks spots off in every way)

The Sentry has no comparable platform .. which is why all NATO contribute to its operation.

Very interesting - what did you do in the RAF then Entwood?