Fleet Air Arm Nimrod MkII of 802 squadron HMS Florious 1937  (FAUCONBERG AEROGRAPHICS)

History

The Hawker Nimrod was a single-seat biplane fighter which first flew in 1930.  The Nimrod, an adaptation of the Fury Fighter for the operation from aircraft carriers.  Its span was 3.5ft greater than that of the Fury. Later versions had backswept wings, a large tail, and deck arrestor gear. A twin-float seaplane was also built, designed for catapult launching from capital ships. It went into service in the Fleet Air Arm at the same time as the Osprey, in 1931. Both types were represented in the mixed flight of new aircraft carried in HMS Eagle for demonstration at the British Empire trade Exhibition, Buenos Aires, in March 1931.

Nimrod landing on the deck of a carrier 1939

However, by the start of the Second World War the Nimrod had been relegated to training duties by the Fleet Air Arm. In September 1939 there were only 18 survivors left in the Royal Navy, serving with 753, 755, 757, 759 and 780 squadrons. The last aircraft in Fleet Air Arm service was S1582 which was used as a hack for daily weather checks with 753 squadron, until it was finally paid off in January 1942.

The Nimrod was also supplied to the Naval services of Denmark and Japan, and was built under license in those countries.

Versions
     Prototype
     Mk I    477hp kestrel IIS: Interchangeable wheel or float undercarriage;
                        several subsequently modified to Mk II standard
     Mk II    Modified Mk I; First of stainless steel construction; Majority later
                        models with 608hp Kestrel V
     Danish Nimrods
                    Modified Mk II Pattern Aircraft; Kestrel III engine
     Mk II Nimrodderne
                        Danish licence-built version

 
Fleet Air Arm history

        Hawker Nimrod
        Total FAA 1939-1945:        18
        First delivered to RN:          1930
        First squadron 1939-1945:    753, 755, 757, 759, 780 sqdns
        Operational squadron:          None by 1939-1945
        Last served with RN            1942

Only two survive worldwide, Nimrod Mk S1581 at the Historic Aircraft Collection Jersey (UK) and Nimrod Mk K3661 G-BURZ restored by Aero Vintage Ltd (UK). Nimrod S1581 is the only airworthy Nimrod in the world.

Nimrod S1581 preserved at the HAC, Duxford (UK)

The unique Hawker Nimrod S1581 naval fighter first post restoration flight 11 July 2000 at Duxford. Restored by Aero Vintage (UK). Marked in 802 sqdn FAA HMS Glorious in the 1930s.

Nimrod K3661 (G-BURZ) remains were rebuilt and registred on 22 December 1992 to Aero Vintage Ltd, Rye as G-BURZ.

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Associations and reunions

Aero Vintage
     New House
     Northiam
     nr Rye
     East Sussex TN31 6JL
     England

 

FURTHER INFORMATION   A-Z of Aircraft Profiles by FAUCONBERG AEROGRAPHICS,  An A-Z of Aircraft Profiles by FAUCONBERG AEROGRAPHICS, including HAWKER NIMROD Mk.II, 802 Squadron, Fleet Air Arm, H.M.S. Glorious, October 1937, HAWKER NIMROD Mk.II, 801 Squadron, Fleet Air Arm, H.M.S. Furious, October 1936, HAWKER NIMROD Mk.I, 800 Squadron, Fleet Air Arm, H.M.S. Courageous, September 1937    Sturtivant, R. & Burrow, M (1995) 'Fleet Air Arm Aircraft 1939 to 1945'  Published by Air Britain (Historians) Ltd, 1995 ISBN: 085130 232 7

Created 3-4-1999, Modified 3-4-2000

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