Prototype Nimrod AEW.3. First flew in 1980. This version was supposed to replace the Shackleton AEW.2. The project was cancelled in 1986 due to delays and cost overruns and E-3s were purchased instead. XZ286 was stored at Abingdon in 1987 and scrapped in 1989.

Prototype of the AEW3 version of the Nimrod, aka DB1 (Development Build 1). Operated by British Aerospace based at Woodford.

This very strange looking Nimrod was displayed at the International Air Tattoo.

One of the strangest Nimrods, seen about to land at a Farnborough Airshow.

This weird looking aircraft was part of the ill-fated Nimrod AEW3 project that was cancelled in favour of the Sentry due to massive cost overruns and delays. It was later later transferred to the fire section at RAF Kinloss as 8968M (RAF maintenance serial) where it was later broken up, a sad episode in British Aviation history.