As the end of Avro Shackleton's operational life approached, serious consideration was given to its replacement in the 1960's. Three aircraft/airframes were actively considered by the MoD and RAF, the HS Trident, the Comet 4 and the Vickers Vanguard (Photo), the latter deemed more suited as it already had the physical capacity and performance needed. In the end, the MoD's selection was the Comet 4 which became the very successful Nimrod but many involved in that process, still argue the RAF's preferred aircraft might have been a better choice? Certainly the 'ride' experienced at low level during evaluation was much smoother in the Vanguard than any of the others. Hence the much modified wing which finally accompanied the in-service Nimrod. I don't expect a plethora of Airfix 1/144 Vanguards in 'what-if' configurations to appear at future meetings but you never know....?
