Help Save Nimrod XV232
Nimrod XV232 is one of the last surviving examples of Britain’s iconic maritime patrol aircraft and an important part of our nation’s aviation heritage. Preserved for many years by a dedicated volunteer team at Coventry Airport, XV232 has welcomed thousands of visitors, veterans, aviation enthusiasts and former crew members on board.
Today, the project faces its greatest challenge yet.
With the future of Coventry Airport uncertain, the focus of the Nimrod Preservation Group XV232 CIC is now firmly on securing the long-term future of the aircraft through careful relocation, preservation and restoration. Their immediate priority is to move XV232 to a new temporary location to allow the aircraft to be safely prepared for dismantling and transportation to her future home in Kent as part of the strategic partnership with the RAF Manston History Museum.
This is a major logistical and engineering undertaking involving specialist equipment, transport, storage, tooling, insurance and ongoing preservation work — all funded entirely through public support, volunteer effort and generous specialist engineering and transport companies.
To help support this effort, financial donations are now being processed through our RAF Manston History Museum charity as part of the strategic partnership supporting the future preservation of XV232. This means eligible UK taxpayers can choose to add Gift Aid to their donation, increasing its value by 25% at no additional cost.
All funds raised through this appeal will initially be used to support the relocation and preservation work associated with XV232.
Every donation, large or small, directly helps protect the future of this historic aircraft and supports the volunteers working tirelessly to preserve her for future generations.
Thank you for supporting XV232 and helping us write the next chapter in her remarkable story.
Where Your Donations Go
Many supporters have asked how donations to the XV232 project are being used during the relocation and preservation programme.
Relocating and preserving a large historic aircraft such as Nimrod XV232 is a major engineering and logistics undertaking involving significant operational costs behind the scenes.
Funds raised directly support areas including:
• Specialist insurance cover for volunteers, engineering activity and transportation operations
• Safety equipment and airfield operational requirements
• Fuel and travel expenses for volunteer engineers and support teams travelling across the UK
• Specialist contractors including crane operators, transport providers and lifting equipment suppliers
• Aircraft preparation materials, tooling and engineering consumables
• Storage, handling and preservation equipment
• Technical support and specialist aviation services required during dismantling and relocation
The project continues to rely heavily on volunteers donating their own time and expertise, helping to reduce costs wherever possible. However, some aspects of the relocation require specialist equipment, certified operators and commercial services that cannot safely be avoided.
Every donation made genuinely helps move the project forward and contributes directly toward securing the long-term future of XV232. On behalf of the entire team, thank you for your continued support.