The first phase of the campaign launched earlier this year to secure a Nimrod aircraft as a Gate Guardian at RAF Kinloss is now complete.

Squadron Leader Rab Forbes from 42 (Reserve) Squadron and his committee oversaw the operation, which allowed the aircraft to be moved into position on Wednesday (today), 6 months earlier than expected.

Funds to finance the gate guardian have been raised through sponsorship and donations, with BAe Systems and Rolls Royce being major sponsors. The money raised has been used to provide a secure concrete base to position the 93000 lbs aircraft, to weatherproof the aircraft to withstand Scottish winters and to move the aircraft into position. No public funds have been used in the project.

With the approaching onset of winter, it was decided to move the aircraft now to its new position near to crash gate 3 on the Kinloss to Roseisle road. To make the aircraft move go more smoothly, a section of temporary runway material was laid on the grassed area leading up to the concrete base. The temporary runway was planned to be used as a contingency during the Falklands War and has been stored at Kinloss since the early 1980s.

The aircraft to be used as the gate guardian has been made available due to the forthcoming arrival in February 2010 of the MRA4 to RAF Kinloss.

Sqn Ldr Forbes said ‘The original plan was to position the aircraft during the spring of 2010, however to avoid waterlogged ground we have been advised to move the aircraft into position before the onset of winter. Even though the aircraft will be in position, this is only the completion of phase one. The project is still ongoing and in phase 2 we are hoping to add to the display area, to include information on the history of RAF Kinloss along with the history of the Nimrod. I would like to express my gratitude to all those who have supported us in our effort, especially our major sponsors, who have helped us to reach our target in such good time’.

The Kinloss Stn Cdr, Gp Capt Robbie Noel added, “ I welcome this early progress to a project that seeks publicly to demonstrate our proud history. This has only been possible given the very generous sponsorship by BAe Systems, Rolls Royce and Thales. Their support will ensure that sufficient funds are in place to keep XV240 in pristine condition.”

Although the gate guardian will be in place from this week an official unveiling of the gate guard will be planned when the second phase of the project is complete.

Source: RAF