PICTURES: Nimrod R1 special retirement scheme...

[Stratofreighter]

...but as http://www.fightercontrol.co.uk/forum/v ... 16&t=25550 shows the retirement scheme on Nimrod R1 XV249 isn't very "gaudy"...







http://key.aero/view_news.asp?ID=2906&t ... n=military

Nimrod R1 ready to bow out
The RAF's 51 Squadron will retire the aircraft on March 31.

Gary Parsons - 18-Jan-2011

January 18: The last two airworthy Hawker Siddeley Nimrods are based at RAF Waddington in Lincolnshire, where 51 Squadron operates the R1 version.

The squadron will retire both aircraft on March 31 and in preparation one aircraft, XV249, has been painted in a special scheme commemorating the 37 years that the unit has operated the type.

One aircraft is currently based in Afghanistan for Operation Herrick, but will be withdrawn in the coming weeks.

Personnel from 51 Squadron are beginning training in the US for RC-135W Rivet Joint operations, the first aircraft expected at RAF Waddington in 2014.

Until then 51 Squadron will operate with the US Air Force’s 55th Wing based at Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska and RAF Mildenhall in the UK.