Soon...real soon. THE pride of Britain, and Cheshire, has rolled out into the sunshine for its big debut. The new generation Nimrod spy and attack plane was unveiled at Woodford, where 18 are being built for the Royal Air Force. BAE Systems in Woodford is manufacturing the new Nimrods for the RAF as part of a contract worth £2.2 billion, awarded back in 1996. The move has helped safeguard hundreds of jobs at the BAE sites at Woodford and at Chadderton, in Oldham. The first of three test aircraft, which form part of the 18 Maritime Reconnaissance Attack (MRA)4 planes, was moved from a hangar for the first time. Its first flight is due to take place before the end of the year and the MRA4s will be delivered to the RAF between 2004 and 2007. The aircraft is best known for its search and rescue missions and has helped save entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson on several occasions. It will also be used in anti-submarine warfare and anti-surface unit warfare as well as intelligence gathering. The Nimrod MRA4 will have a completely new undercarriage to allow for the increase in maximum take-off weight, BMW/Rolls Royce BR-710 engines, as well as leading edge computers and weapon systems. A spokesman for BAE Systems said: "The MRA4 aircraft is of national and international significance, and will fulfil the UK's maritime patrol, reconnaissance, intelligence and strike requirements well into the 21st century. "It is a very complex project and it's a tribute to the workforce that it is being built here." http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/news/stories/Detail_LinkStory=17066.html