A Royal Air Force (RAF) Nimrod - the British maritime patrol aircraft, (below) paid a rare visit to New Zealand in February to take part in the world’s longest running submarine hunting competition.
Hosted by the RNZAF at Whenuapai, the Fincastle competition, which was won by the 25-strong RAF contingent, saw the Nimrod crew pit their skills against crews from New Zealand and Australia.
The keenly contested competition involved participants’ ability to detect, classify, track and engage a submarine by day or night. In addition, the exercise involved a forum for the development of procedures and tactics, and wider maritime surveillance and patrol training.
The Nimrod and P3 Orions from New Zealand and Australia completed familiarisation flights off the east coast of the North Island, in the lead up to competition flights.
A maintenance competition was also run, with each nation judged on their flight line operations and engineering skills.