This is the fourth sheet that Model Alliance has produced on the current Nimrod. This one contains a dozen different options, covering all the different variants, including the still-born AEW.3 version. THough there is no indication of a conversion set for those gawd-awful radomes, I have to assume that one exists or why bother including them on the sheet? All of the different camo schemes are also included, and that means a few non-standard ones as well. The booklet that comes with the set contains all of the information you'll need in terms of painting and where to put the marks. It isn't convenient to scan all the pages for the profiles so the cover will have to do as a bit of a guide.

Continuing with their fine sheets on British subjects, this new one is sure to be a delight to those who model large size patrol aircraft. Each page includes background information on the subject as well as additional color information. Were I to make a suggestion, it would be to increase the size of the font as it is very small and difficult for these old eyes to read.

The first four options are for Nimrod MR.1s. These are all white over light aircraft grey and all have small unit badges on the fin.  One sports a shark mouth, certainly the only time a Nimrod has worn one of these.

Next is one of the first hemp painted planes, but something went awry when mixing the paint as it is a decidedly brown shade. This has the blue/red roundels and during its life, carried the title 'Coconut Airways'. This same plane, XV 246 is shown later with the proper colors and 'Cameleon Air' titles.

The MR.2P is covered next with two options for the same aircraft. One is with the blue/red roundels and the other is the pink/light blue ones. This latter plane was seriously zapped by VP-17 in 1996 a few years before the base at NAS Barbers Point closed. The 1980's plane has wing tip pods while the 1996 drawing shows the plane without them.

The last two options are the R.1s. Both are XW 664 with one in the hemp scheme with unit badge and the other in the new greys scheme with the very small roundels and no underwing serial numbers.

There are a pair of AEW.3s, one in the white/light aircraft grey scheme and the other in the hemp colors.  On the latter, it can have the radomes in hemp instead of a darker brown.  

 Overall, a superlative set of decals covering an interesting aircraft. The decals themselves are crisply printed and quite colorful. I know you will be pleased.

Also available in 1/24 (don't you wish).

June 2009

Review sample courtesy of Model Alliance. This sheet can be found at www.theaviationworkshop.co.uk and at quality hobby shops worldwide.

If you would like your product reviewed fairly and quickly, please contact me or see other details in the Note to Contributors.