Nimrod Preservation Group XV232

18/08/2026

You can't dismantle a Ni**od in just any order. ✈️🔧
As the smaller components come closer to removal, our attention is increasingly turning toward the really big jobs:
⚙️ Spey engines
✈️ wings
🔧 fin and tailplane
🏗️ fuselage supports and cradles
And there's a lot more engineering behind it than simply attaching a crane.
The engines need to be controlled and rotated as they're lowered to clear the aircraft structure.
The tail may need to come off before the wings so that XV232 remains stable as her weight distribution changes.
And once those wings are gone, the fuselage needs properly designed cradles to support it.
That's why we're sourcing original drawings, specialist tooling, certified lifting equipment and former Ni**od/Spey expertise before the big lifts begin.
We're not dismantling XV232 for scrap.
We're taking her apart so she can be put back together.
Full story: https://xv232.com/planning-the-big-lifts-the-next-engineering-challenge-for-xv232/

Help us fund the specialist work ahead: https://www.zeffy.com/en-GB/donation-form/save-nimrod-xv232-help-us-secure-her-future-2

Taking a Ni**od apart isn’t simply a matter of starting at one end and removing everything that looks detachable. As planning for XV232’s relocation develops, the engineering team is no…

16/08/2026

Another Step Closer – Preparing XV232’s Ailerons, Pods and Flaps for Removal

T1 ✅ T2 ✅ T3 ✅ … and yes, we've finally found T24! 🔧
There's been plenty of detailed work going on around XV232's wings.
Both ailerons are getting close to being ready for removal, the connections inside the wingtip pod have now been identified, and preparation of the flaps starts next.
As you'd expect from dismantling a 50+ year-old military aircraft, XV232 continues to fight back occasionally — including one castellated nut that decided it had served long enough and sheared during removal.
The aim is to get the pods, ailerons and flaps into their removal phase around the Bank Holiday working weekend.
Lots of small jobs.
Lots of specialist knowledge.
One very big objective:
➡️ Get XV232 safely to Manston.

Read more: https://xv232.com/another-step-closer-preparing-xv232s-ailerons-pods-and-flaps-for-removal/

Help fund the next stage: https://www.zeffy.com/en-GB/donation-form/save-nimrod-xv232-help-us-secure-her-future-2

The engineering team is making steady progress on aircraft XV232, nearing the removal of both ailerons and moving on to wingtip pods and flaps. Recent challenges include unavailable fasteners and a…

14/08/2026

🔧✈️ Heavy Metal Heading South: Ni**od Jacks on the Move

Another important piece of the XV232 relocation puzzle is coming together, with our Ni**od aircraft jacks making their way from Kinloss to Coventry.
These are exactly the sort of items we're going to need as the project moves deeper into the dismantling programme.
There's something rather fitting about equipment from the former home of the Ni**od force at RAF Kinloss now helping XV232 prepare for the next chapter of her story.
A huge thank you to the Morayvia team at XV244 for loaning us the jacks and supporting XV232’s next step.
Meanwhile, work on the aircraft continues: ailerons are nearing removal, preparation of the flaps is starting, wingtip pod connections are being worked through and planning for the much bigger lifts is gathering pace.
Every recovered or loaned piece of equipment saves the project money — but specialist lifting, contractors, transport and reassembly still have to be funded.

🔗 Read the full update: https://xv232.com/heavy-metal-heading-south-nimrod-jacks-on-the-move/

Heavy Metal Heading South – Ni**od Jacks Begin Their Journey to XV232 Another important piece of the XV232 relocation puzzle is falling into place this week, with a set of Ni**od aircraft jacks pre…

04/08/2026

Powering Up After 18 Years – Another Ground Power Unit Comes Back to Life

After nearly 18 years of silence, another piece of RAF Ni**od support equipment has roared back into life.

This latest update follows our volunteers as they carry out the first recommissioning trials on one of the Ground Power Units that will help support XV232 during her restoration journey. The objective was simple: could the engine be persuaded to run again after almost two decades?

The answer might surprise you...

This is another fascinating behind-the-scenes look at the engineering challenges our volunteers are tackling, not just on the aircraft itself, but on the specialist equipment that once kept the RAF's Ni**od fleet operational.

Watch the video, read the full story and see why every successful test brings us another step closer to preserving XV232 for future generations.

If you enjoy following our progress, please consider supporting the project with a donation. Every contribution, large or small, helps us keep this unique aircraft and its remarkable history alive. If you're a UK taxpayer, don't forget to tick the Gift Aid box—it increases your donation by 25% at no extra cost to you.

02/08/2026

Project update: Another Productive Weekend Preparing XV232 for Her Journey

Another productive weekend has brought XV232 one step closer to her relocation to the RAF Manston History Museum.

While one team was busy bringing a Ground Power Unit back to life after almost 18 years (we'll share that exciting story on Tuesday!), our engineers continued the careful preparation needed to dismantle the aircraft safely.

This weekend's work focused on the starboard wing, including the aileron mass balance weights and one of XV232's distinctive Electronic Support Measures (ESM) pods. These pods housed the aircraft's Yellow Gate system, allowing the Ni**od to passively detect and identify radar emissions without revealing its own position—a capability that played an important role throughout the Cold War and beyond.

The photographs also reveal just how challenging this work can be. Working in confined spaces beneath the aircraft, our volunteers are achieving remarkable progress using general engineering equipment, while drawing on the experience and advice of former Ni**od engineers who maintained these aircraft during their RAF service.

Every seized bolt released, every engineering challenge overcome and every hour volunteered brings XV232 another step closer to her next chapter.

Read the full update, learn more about the Yellow Gate ESM system and see all the latest photographs from this weekend's engineering session by clicking the link below. ✈️

Every working weekend brings XV232 another step closer to her relocation to the RAF Manston History Museum, and this weekend was no exception. While one part of the team focused on testing our rece…

26/07/2026

🎉 We've Just Passed £10,000! 🎉

What an incredible evening!

I've just made another £625 donation as part of my personal match funding pledge, and together we've now passed the fantastic milestone of £10,000 raised towards relocating and preserving Ni**od XV232 at RAF Manston History Museum.

This achievement belongs to every single person who has donated, shared our posts, encouraged friends, volunteered their time, or simply believed in what we're trying to achieve. Thank you.

Reaching £10,000 is a major milestone, but it's also another reminder that every donation really does make a difference. Every pound raised helps fund the specialist equipment, transport, engineering and conservation work needed to give XV232 the future she deserves.

My matching pledge is still continuing, so if you've been thinking about making a donation, now is a great time to help us build on this momentum.

Let's see how much further we can go together.

Thank you all for being part of this amazing journey. ❤️✈️

26/07/2026

Technical Update: Collecting Original Ni**od Jacking Equipment

Rather than hiring commercial aircraft jacks at significant cost, the team has agreed to look into collecting the original Ni**od jacks currently stored at RAF Kinloss.

Three jacks remain available for our use, which could save the project thousands of pounds while ensuring we have the correct equipment for supporting the aircraft during dismantling and reassembly.

Planning is now underway for the feasibility for a collection trip in August, with volunteers coordinating transport and lifting arrangements.

Rather than hiring commercial aircraft jacks at significant cost, the team has agreed to look into collecting the original Ni**od jacks currently stored at RAF Kinloss. Three jacks remain available…

21/07/2026

Technical Update: Looking Beneath the Covers – Assessing Our Spare Ground Power Unit

While work on XV232 continues, another important task took place this weekend that will play a key role in the aircraft's future at RAF Manston History Museum.

One of our volunteers carried out a detailed mechanical assessment of the additional Ground Power Unit (GPU) that has recently joined the project.

For those unfamiliar with ground operations, the GPU is effectively the aircraft's external power station. Before an aircraft's own engines are running, the GPU supplies electrical power for essential systems and maintenance activities. It will become an invaluable part of supporting XV232 once she has been reassembled at her new home.

Rather than simply attempting to start the unit after years of inactivity, the sensible approach is to understand exactly what we're working with first.

The inspection involved a careful mechanical overview of the engine and its major systems, identifying the work required before any attempt is made to bring it back to life. As with any historic piece of engineering, preparation is everything. Fluids, filters, fuel systems, cooling systems, belts, hoses and electrical components all need to be checked and, where necessary, serviced before the engine is turned over.

The good news is that we now have a clear plan of action.

That means we can begin working through the recommissioning tasks methodically, reducing the risk of causing unnecessary damage and giving the unit the best possible chance of running successfully when the time comes.

Like XV232 herself, the GPU is an important piece of engineering heritage. Returning it to service will not only help support the aircraft during restoration but will also allow visitors to see more of the specialist equipment that once kept RAF Ni**ods operating around the world.

Every inspection, every assessment and every plan we complete is another step towards preserving not just an aircraft, but the knowledge, skills and equipment that supported Britain's maritime patrol force for decades.

We'll keep everyone updated as work progresses towards the day we make that first attempt to bring the GPU back into life.

While work on XV232 continues, another important task took place this weekend that will play a key role in the aircraft’s future at RAF Manston History Museum. Graham and one of our volunteer…

19/07/2026

Project update: Another Productive Weekend on XV232 – Split Flaps Off, Engines One Step Closer

Progress continued at a steady pace yesterday as our volunteers tackled two important areas of work, each bringing XV232 another step closer to her relocation to RAF Manston History Museum.

One team concentrated on removing the split flaps beneath the engines. Although they may not be the most visible parts of the aircraft, removing them is an essential step in preparing the wing and engine areas for the next phase of the dismantling programme. Like many tasks on a large aircraft, success comes from patience, teamwork and careful planning rather than brute force.

Meanwhile, Duncan "JR" Ewing – better known to many as Mr Happy – was once again putting his wealth of Ni**od engineering experience to good use. Duncan spent the day preparing the Rolls-Royce Spey No 4 engine for their eventual removal, carefully working through the many systems, connections and components that need to be disconnected before an engine can safely be lowered from the aircraft.

Removing a Ni**od engine is no small undertaking. Each engine weighs around two tonnes and sits in a very confined space. Every pipe, cable, control linkage and mounting point has to be disconnected methodically before the engine can be lowered onto its transport cradle with only a few millimetres of clearance in places. It's work that demands experience, precision and absolute attention to detail.

For many of our volunteers, this is also an opportunity to relive skills they developed during their RAF careers. Watching former Ni**od engineers work together again gives a real appreciation of the professionalism and teamwork that kept these remarkable aircraft flying throughout decades of operational service.

Every weekend like this moves us a little closer to seeing XV232 safely relocated and preserved for future generations. There is still a huge amount of work ahead, but thanks to the dedication of our volunteers and the incredible support we continue to receive, we're making steady progress.

Thank you to everyone who gave up their Saturday to help keep XV232's story alive.

If you'd like to support the relocation and preservation of XV232, please consider making a donation. Every contribution, large or small, helps fund the specialist equipment, transport and engineering work needed to secure her future at RAF Manston History Museum.

Thank you for being part of the journey.

Progress continued at a steady pace yesterday as our volunteers tackled two important areas of work, each bringing XV232 another step closer to her relocation to RAF Manston History Museum. One tea…

05/07/2026

Project update: Bringing the Ground Power Equipment Back to Life

An aircraft doesn't simply start itself.
Before XV232 can one day run her famous Rolls-Royce Spey engines again, we first need reliable ground power equipment.

This week the team inspected a donated Ground Power Unit.
The GPU requires servicing and replacement cables before it can be tested, as it has been standing unused for almost two decades.

The first task?

Simply discovering whether the engine will still turn over after all these years.
Only then can the team begin replacing filters, checking coolant systems and assessing whether the equipment can once again support XV232.

It's a reminder that preserving a historic aircraft means preserving the support equipment that kept it flying throughout its RAF career.

Every successful restoration starts long before the engines fire up.

We're looking forward to sharing that journey with everyone following the project.
Thank you for helping make it possible.

An aircraft doesn’t simply start itself.Before XV232 can one day run her famous Rolls-Royce Spey engines again, we first need reliable ground power equipment.This week the team inspected a do…