The most distinctive difference between the HS.801 and its Comet forebear was the addition of a "double bubble" fuselage, the lower section housing the ventral weapons bay. The tail section was also significantly different, with a substantial dorsal fin and a fin-mounted radome. This is XV230, the first Nimrod to be delivered to the RAF.

Although the Hawker Siddeley HS.801 owed much of its general appearance to the de Havilland Comet, from which it had been developed, it was in fact an entirely new aircraft and represented the cutting edge in anti-submarine warfare. Indeed, it was the world’s first land-based four-jet maritime-reconnaissance aircraft to enter service. Seen here is the first production example, XV226.

Авиабаза Кинлосс принимала самолеты Nimrod в течение всей их карьеры. А в связи с выводом самолетов MR.Mk 2 с базы Сент-Мауган стала "домом" и для них.
Largest base for the R.A.F. 's anti-submarine Nimrod MR.1s is Kinloss, the base on the Moray Firth in northern Scotland which would go on to become synonymous with the type, home of Nos. 120. 201 and 206 Squadrons - aircraft are pooled

Two prototypes of the HS.801 were built, using the last two Comet 4C airframes, which were fitted with Rolls-Royce Avon turbojets. One, XV148, seen here, was re-engined with the same company’s Spey turbofans, while the other, XV147, retained its Avons.