Avro Shackleton

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Shackleton
Avro Shackleton MR3 in flight c1955.jpg
Avro Shackleton MR3, in 1955
General information
Type Maritime patrol aircraft
National originUnited Kingdom
Manufacturer Avro
Primary users Royal Air Force
Number built185
History
Manufactured1951–1958
Introduction dateApril 1951
First flight9 March 1949
Retired1991
Developed from Avro Lincoln

The Avro Shackleton is a British long-range maritime patrol aircraft (MPA) which was used by the Royal Air Force (RAF) and the South African Air Force (SAAF). It was developed by Avro from the Avro Lincoln bomber, which itself had been a development of the famous wartime Avro Lancaster bomber.

Contents

The Shackleton was developed during the late 1940s as part of Britain's military response to the rapid expansion of the Soviet Navy, in particular its submarine force. Produced as the primary type equipping RAF Coastal Command, the Type 696, as it was initially designated, incorporated major elements of the Lincoln, as well as the Avro Tudor passenger aircraft, and was furnished with extensive electronics suites in order to perform the anti-submarine warfare (ASW) mission along with a much-improved crew environment to accommodate the long mission times involved in patrol work. Being known for a short time as the Lincoln ASR.3, it was decided that the Type 696 would be named Shackleton in service, after the polar explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton. [N 1]

It entered operational service with the RAF in April 1951. The Shackleton was used primarily in the ASW and MPA roles, but it was also frequently deployed as an aerial search and rescue (SAR) platform and for performing several other secondary roles such as mail delivery and as a crude troop-transport aircraft. In addition to its service with the RAF, South Africa also elected to procure the Shackleton to equip the SAAF. In South African service, the type was operated in the maritime patrol capacity between 1957 and 1984. During March 1971, a number of SAAF Shackletons were used during the SS Wafra oil spill, intentionally sinking the stricken oil tanker using depth charges to prevent further ecological contamination.

During the 1970s, the Shackleton was replaced in the maritime patrol role by the jet-powered Hawker Siddeley Nimrod. During its later life, a small number of the RAF's existing Shackletons received extensive modifications in order to adapt them to perform the airborne early warning (AEW) role. The type continued to be used in this support capacity until 1991, when it was replaced by the Boeing E-3 Sentry AEW aircraft. These were the last examples of the type remaining in active service.

Development

Origins

The Battle of the Atlantic was a crucial element of the Second World War, in which Britain sought to protect its shipping from the German U-boat threat. The development of increasingly capable diesel-electric submarines had been rapid; in particular, the snorkel virtually eliminated the need for submarines to surface while on patrol. Aircraft that had once been highly effective submarine-killers had very quickly become incapable in the face of these advances. [3] In addition, lend-leased aircraft such as the Consolidated B-24 Liberator had been returned following the end of hostilities. Several Avro Lancasters had undergone rapid conversion – designated as Maritime Reconnaissance Mk 3 (MR3) – as a stopgap measure for maritime search and rescue and general reconnaissance duties; [4] however, RAF Coastal Command had diminished to only a third of its size immediately after the Second World War. [5]

In the emerging climate of the Cold War and the potential requirement to guard the North Atlantic from an anticipated rapid expansion of the Soviet Navy's submarine force, a new aerial platform to perform the anti-submarine mission was required. [5] [6] Work had begun on the requirement for a new maritime patrol aircraft in 1944, at which point there had been an emphasis for long-range platforms for Far East operations; however, with the early end of the war in the Pacific, the requirement was refined considerably. In late 1945, the Air Staff had expressed interest in a conversion of the Avro Lincoln as general reconnaissance and air/sea rescue aircraft; they formalised their requirements for such an aircraft under Air Ministry specification R.5/46. Avro's Chief Designer Roy Chadwick initially led the effort to build an aircraft to this requirement, designated as the Avro Type 696. [2] [7]

Interior of a Shackleton MR.3 Shackleton-WR982-303.jpg
Interior of a Shackleton MR.3

The Type 696 was a significant development upon the Lincoln. Elements of the Avro Tudor airliner were also reused in the design; Lincoln and Tudor had been derivatives of the successful wartime Avro Lancaster bomber. [8] [9] Crucially, the new aircraft was to be capable of a 3,000-nautical-mile (3,500 mi; 5,600 km) range while carrying up to 6,000 pounds (2,700 kg) of weapons and equipment. In addition to featuring a large amount of electronic equipment, the Type 696 had a much-improved crew environment over other aircraft types to allow them to be more effective during the lengthy mission times anticipated. [10] [11] During development the Type 696 was provisionally referred to as the Lincoln ASR.3 before the officially allocated name 'Shackleton' was selected.

The first test flight of the prototype Shackleton GR.1, serial VW135, was made on 9 March 1949 from the manufacturer's airfield at Woodford, Cheshire in the hands of Avro's Chief Test Pilot J.H. "Jimmy" Orrell. [12] The GR.1 was later redesignated "Maritime Reconnaissance Mark I" (MR 1). The prototype differed from subsequent production Shackletons in a number of areas; it featured a number of turrets and was equipped for air-to-air refuelling using the looped-line method. These did not feature on production aircraft due to judgments of ineffectiveness or performance difficulties incurred. [13] However, the performance of the prototype had been such that, in addition to the go-ahead for the MR1's production, a specification for improved variant was issued in December 1949, before the first production Shackleton had even flown. [14] By 1951, the MR1 had become officially considered as an interim type due to several shortcomings. [15]

Further development

Shackleton MR.1 of 269 Squadron with dorsal turret in 1953 Avro 696 Shackleton MR.1 VP256 B-A 269 Sqn RWY 24.07.53 edited-2.jpg
Shackleton MR.1 of 269 Squadron with dorsal turret in 1953

The MR 2 was an improved version of the Shackleton, featuring numerous refinements that had been proposed for the MR1. The radar was upgraded to ASV Mk 13, and the radome relocated from the aircraft's nose to a ventral position aft of the bomb bay, the radome was retractable and could be fully extended only with the bomb bay doors open. It had improved allround radar coverage and minimised the risk of bird strikes. [16] Both the nose and tail section were lengthened, the tailplane was redesigned, the undercarriage was strengthened and twin-retractable tailwheels were fitted. The Bristol dorsal turret was initially retained, but was later removed from all aircraft after delivery. [17] The prototype, VW 126, was modified as an aerodynamic prototype at the end of 1950 and first flew with the MR 2 modification on 19 July 1951.

Shackleton MR.2 of No. 220 Squadron RAF in September 1955 Avro Shackleton MR.2 WG557 T-L 220 Sqn BLA 06.09.55.jpg
Shackleton MR.2 of No. 220 Squadron RAF in September 1955

VW 126 was tested at Boscombe Down in August 1951, particular attention being paid to changes made to improve its ground handling, such as the addition of toebrakes and a lockable rudder system. One production Mk 1 aircraft was modified on the line at Woodford with the Mk 2 changes and first flew on 17 June 1952. After trials were successful, it was decided to complete the last ten aircraft being built under the Mk 1 contract to MR 2 standard and further orders were placed for new aircraft. In order to keep pace with changing submarine threats, the Mk 2 force was progressively upgraded, with Phase I, II and III modifications introducing improved radar, weapons and other systems, as well as structural work to increase fatigue life. [16] Production of the MR 2 ended in May 1954. [18]

The Type 716 Shackleton MR 3 was another redesign in response to crew feedback and observations. A new tricycle undercarriage was introduced, the fuselage was increased in all main dimensions and had new wings with better ailerons and tip tanks. [19] The weapons capability was also upgraded to include homing torpedoes and Mk 101 Lulu nuclear depth bombs. [16] To reduce crew fatigue on 15-hour flights, the sound deadening was improved and a proper galley and sleeping space were included. Due to these upgrades, the takeoff weight of the RAF's MR 3s had risen by over 30,000 lb (13,600 kg) (Ph. III) and assistance from Armstrong Siddeley Viper Mk 203 turbojets was needed on takeoff with a 5-minute limit. The Griffons had to be run at high power for very long periods after a heavyweight take-off so the Vipers were later cleared to run for four hours continuously so lower Griffon power settings could be used which reduced the risk of failures. [20] [21] [22] The extra strain took a toll on the airframe, and flight life of the RAF MR 3s was so reduced that they were outlived by the MR 2s. Due to the arms embargo against South Africa, the SAAF's MR 3s never received these upgrades but were maintained independently by the SAAF.

The Type 719 Shackleton IV, later known as the MR 4, was a projected variant intended to meet a Canadian requirement for a long-range patrol aircraft. The MR 4 would have been practically a new aircraft, sharing only the nose, cockpit, and outer wings with earlier variants; it would have also been powered by the Napier Nomad compound engine. [23] The Shackleton IV was cancelled in 1955 and the Canadian requirement subsequently met by the Britannia Maritime Reconnaissance later to emerge as the Canadair Argus.

In 1967, ten MR 2s were modified as training aircraft to replace the T 4 in-service with the Maritime Operational Training Unit; known as T 2s, the crew rest areas were replaced by additional radar equipment and the original radar fittings removed. [24]

Design

Front of a Shackleton AEW2. Note the contra-rotating propellers Avro 696 Shackleton AEW2, UK - Air Force AN1667777.jpg
Front of a Shackleton AEW2. Note the contra-rotating propellers

The Shackleton was a purpose-built aircraft for the maritime patrol role; however, the legacy of Avro's preceding aircraft is present in many aspects of the overall design. The centre section of the Shackleton's wing originates from the Lincoln, while the outer wing and undercarriage were sourced from the Tudor outer wings; at one stage during development, the tailplane had closely resembled the Lincoln's, but was enlarged and changed soon after. [2] An entirely new fuselage was adopted, being wider and deeper to provide a large space in which to accommodate the crew, their equipment, and a large bomb bay. [25] [26] Later variants of the Shackleton were substantially redesigned, adopting a new nosewheel undercarriage, redesigned wings and centre-section, and a larger fuel capacity for more range. [27]

Various armaments and equipment were carried by the Shackleton in order to perform its missions. In ASW operations, the ASV Mk 13 radar was the primary detection tool; it could detect a destroyer at a range of 40 nautical miles (46 mi; 74 km), a surfaced submarine at 20 nautical miles (23 mi; 37 km), and a submarine's conning tower at 8 nautical miles (9.2 mi; 15 km), although rough seas considerably reduced the radar's effectiveness. [28] [29] Other equipment included droppable sonobuoys, electronic warfare support measures and an Autolycus diesel fume detection system. A special camera bay housed several reconnaissance cameras capable of medium altitude and nighttime vertical photography, and low-altitude oblique photography. The crew would also perform visual searches using various lookout positions that were provided for this purpose. [30] Weapons carried included up to nine bombs, three homing torpedoes or depth-charges; the aircraft also had two 20 mm cannon in a Bristol dorsal turret. An in-flight refueling receptacle could be accommodated, but was not fitted on production aircraft. [28]

An RAF Shackleton in flight, 1978 Avro 696 Shackleton MR2C, UK - Air Force AN1026411.jpg
An RAF Shackleton in flight, 1978

The Merlin engines were replaced with the larger, more powerful and slower-revving Rolls-Royce Griffons with 13-foot-diameter (4.0 m) contra-rotating propellers. This engine's distinctive noise often caused crew members to develop high-tone deafness. The Griffon was needed because the Shackleton was heavier and had more drag than the Lincoln. [31] [32] The Griffon provided equivalent power to the Merlin but at lower engine speed, which led to reduced fuel consumption in the denser air at low altitudes; the Shackleton would often loiter for several hours at roughly 500 ft (150 m) or lower when searching for submarines. Lower-revving Griffons, compared to Merlins, reduced engine stress which improved their reliability. Using conventional propellers would have needed an increase in propeller diameter to absorb the engine's power and torque, this not being possible due to space limitations imposed by the undercarriage length and engine nacelle positioning; the contra-rotating propellers gave greater blade area within the same propeller diameter.

Numerous problems were encountered during the Shackleton's operational service. In practice, the diesel fume detection system was prone to false alarms and thus received little operational use. The engines, hydraulics, and elements of the avionics were known for their unreliability, and the aircraft proved to be fairly maintenance-intensive. The prototype MR 3 was lost due to poor stalling characteristics; this was rectified prior to production, although a satisfactory stall-warning device was not installed until 1969. The Shackleton is often incorrectly assigned the unfortunate distinction of holding the record for the highest number of aircrew killed in one type in peacetime in the RAF. [33] The true figures suggest rather differently in that some of its contemporaries fared far worse, such as the Gloster Meteor with over 430 fatal losses of aircrew [34] against the Shackleton's 156. Several programs to support and extend the fatigue life limits of the Shackleton's airframe were required; the fatigue life problems ultimately necessitated the rapid introduction of a whole new maritime patrol aircraft in the form of the Hawker Siddeley Nimrod, which began being introduced to RAF service in 1969. [35]

MR3 Co-pilot position Shackleton-WR982-305.jpg
MR3 Co-pilot position

Operational history

Royal Air Force

8 Sqn RAF flew the Shackleton AEW 2 from 1973 to 1991. This example was pictured on 26 June 1982 ShackletonAEW2 8Sqn RAF 1982.jpeg
8 Sqn RAF flew the Shackleton AEW 2 from 1973 to 1991. This example was pictured on 26 June 1982

On 30 March 1951, the first Shackleton was delivered to No. 120 Squadron RAF; by the end of 1952 seven squadrons were operating the type. [36] the type soon came to be nicknamed The Growler, on account of the engine noise from the four Rolls-Royce Griffon engines. [37] The first operational deployment of the Shackleton occurred in 1955 as a troop-transport for British Army movements to Cyprus; less than a year later, the type's first combat deployment took place during the Suez Crisis, codenamed Operation Musketeer. [38]

RAF Shackleton of 224 Squadron flying in formation during the 1954-1959 Jebel Akhdar War in Oman Shackleton flying in formation near Masirah.png
RAF Shackleton of 224 Squadron flying in formation during the 1954–1959 Jebel Akhdar War in Oman

In 1957, British RAF Shackletons participated heavily during Jebel Akhdar War in Oman to expand the territory of the Sultanate, which was a de facto British colony, [39] [40] [41] in order to gain access to oil wells in the interior parts of Oman. The RAF made 1,635 raids, dropping 1,094 tons and firing 900 rockets at the interior of Oman between July and December 1958 targeting insurgents, mountain top villages, water channels and crops in a war that remained under low profile. [40] [42] [43]

During the 1960s, the typical Shackleton crew comprised two pilots, two navigators, a flight engineer, an air electronics officer, and four air electronics operators. [44] During this period, equipment upgrades had become routine in order to keep pace with ever more capable submarines; problems with airframe fatigue were identified, leading to several programmes being carried out to strengthen the aircraft and thus extend its viable service life. In 1966, nuclear depth charges were introduced to the Shackleton's arsenal with the aim of countering the Soviets' development of deep-diving submarines. [45]

Maritime reconnaissance was a large element of the Shackleton's service. This mission was often performed to identify and monitor naval and merchant shipping and to demonstrate sovereignty. During the Indonesia–Malaysia confrontation in the 1960s, Shackletons monitored the seas for vessels involved in arms smuggling. Similar operations were conducted in Cyprus, and Shackletons operating from bases in Madagascar cooperated with Royal Navy vessels to enforce a United Nations-mandated oil blockade of Rhodesia. [46]

RAF Shackleton performing a mail drop in July 1970 for Royal Navy ships on the "Beira Patrol", blockading Beira to prevent Rhodesian oil imports 31 Shackleton mail drop Aug1970.jpg
RAF Shackleton performing a mail drop in July 1970 for Royal Navy ships on the "Beira Patrol", blockading Beira to prevent Rhodesian oil imports

The Shackleton would often be used to perform search and rescue missions, at all times one crew being kept on standby somewhere across the UK for this role. The Shackleton had also replaced the Avro Lincoln in the colonial policing mission, aircraft often being stationed in the Aden Protectorate and Oman to carry out various support missions, including convoy escorting, supply dropping, photo reconnaissance, communication relaying, and ground-attack missions; the Shackleton was also employed in several short-term bombing operations. [47] Other roles included weather reconnaissance and transport duties, in the latter role each Shackleton could carry freight panniers in the bomb bay or up to 16 fully equipped soldiers. [48]

In 1969, a jet-powered replacement patrol aircraft, the Hawker Siddeley Nimrod, began to enter RAF service, which was to spell the end for the Shackleton in most roles. While radically differing in external appearance, the Shackleton and the initial version of the Nimrod shared many sensor systems and onboard equipment. [49]

AN/APS-20 radar scanner APS-20 Radar.jpg
AN/APS-20 radar scanner

The intention to retire the Shackleton was thwarted by the need to provide AEW coverage in the North Sea and northern Atlantic following the withdrawal of the Fleet Air Arm's Fairey Gannet aircraft used in the AEW role in the 1970s. As an interim replacement, the existing AN/APS-20 radar was installed in modified Shackleton MR 2s, redesignated the AEW 2, as an interim measure from 1972. These were operated by No. 8 Sqn, based at RAF Lossiemouth. All 12 AEW aircraft were given names from The Magic Roundabout and The Herbs TV series. [16] The intended replacement, the British Aerospace Nimrod AEW3, suffered considerable development difficulties which culminated in the Nimrod AEW 3 being cancelled in favour of an off-the-shelf purchase of the Boeing E-3 Sentry, which allowed the last Shackletons to be retired in 1991. [50]

South African Air Force

SAAF 1717 0 on patrol, October 1982 1982-10 Shackleton 1717 c.jpg
SAAF 1717 0 on patrol, October 1982

During the Second World War, the importance of securing the sea routes around the Cape of Good Hope had been made apparent, with over a hundred vessels being sunk in South African waters by enemy vessels between 1942 and 1945. [51] In the postwar situation, the South African Air Force sought a large and capable platform to perform the maritime patrol role. After evaluating four RAF MR 2s in 1953, an order was placed for eight Shackletons as a replacement for the SAAF's aging Short Sunderland maritime patrol aircraft. Modifications were required to fulfill South African conditions and requirements, such as the ability to operate over the Indian Ocean, the resulting aircraft was designated the Shackleton MR 3. [27] [52]

Avro Shackleton Mk 3 at Ysterplaat AFB in South Africa, serial 1722, a.k.a. Pelican 22. Taken 27 May 2017 at engine run-up. No longer flying but considered mostly airworthy. Shackleton1.jpg
Avro Shackleton Mk 3 at Ysterplaat AFB in South Africa, serial 1722, a.k.a. Pelican 22. Taken 27 May 2017 at engine run-up. No longer flying but considered mostly airworthy.

On 18 August 1957, the first two Shackletons were delivered to D.F. Malan Airport, Cape Town. Two more followed on 13 October 1957 and the remainder arrived in February 1958. Delivered to the same basic standard as the RAF's MR 3s, they were assigned single letter codes between "J" and "Q" and operated by 35 Squadron SAAF. The type typically patrolled the sea lanes around the Cape of Good Hope, often monitoring Soviet vessels traversing between the Indian and Atlantic oceans. The Shackleton was briefly used in low-level overland patrols along the Southern Rhodesian border, but these duties ended following concerns of the disturbance of wildlife. [51] [53]

Commemorating crew of Shakleton MR.3 1718 (1963 in South Africa) In memory of the Shakleton 1718 crew, South Africa 1963.jpg
Commemorating crew of Shakleton MR.3 1718 (1963 in South Africa)

Often, the Shackleton would be called in to perform search and rescue operations in the treacherous waters around the Cape. In March 1971, Shackletons successfully intervened in the SS Wafra oil spill, deliberately sinking the stricken oil tanker with depth charges in order to prevent an ecological disaster. [54] The only operational loss incurred was 1718 K, which crashed into the Wemmershoek mountains at night time on 8 August 1963 with the loss of all thirteen crew. [51]

Due to an embargo imposed by the United Nations over South Africa's policy of apartheid, acquiring components for the Shackleton fleet became increasingly difficult and thus the aircraft's serviceability suffered. [51] The fleet had been modified to Phase III standards prior to the implementation of the arms embargo, albeit without the auxiliary Viper engine. [54] Two of the aircraft were re-sparred, 1716 J in the United Kingdom and 1717 O in South Africa by the SAAF, but the lack of engine spares and tyres, together with airframe fatigue, took a gradual toll. By November 1984, the fatigue lives of all but the two re-sparred aircraft had expired and the fleet was retired into storage. [16] Although the joke has been applied to several aircraft, the Shackleton was often described as "a hundred thousand rivets flying in close formation." [55] [56]

Accidents and incidents

Variants

Avro 696 Shackleton prototypes

Three prototype Type 696s were ordered in May 1947 to meet specification R 5/46:

VW126
The first prototype which initially flew on 9 March 1949. [57]
VW131
First flown on 2 September 1949.
VW135
First flown on 29 March 1950.

Avro 696 Shackleton Mk.1

Shackleton MR.Mk.1
The first production model for the RAF with dorsal turret with two 20 mm cannon, 29-built. [57] First production aircraft flew on 28 March 1950 and the variant entered service with 120 Squadron at RAF Kinloss in March 1951. [57]
Shackleton MR.Mk.1A
Variant powered by four Griffon 57A V12 piston engines, in service from April 1951, 47-built and all surviving MR.1s converted. [57]
Shackleton T.4
Navigation trainer conversion from MR 1As between 1956 and 1961, removal of mid-upper turret, addition of radar and radio positions for trainees, 17 conversions. [57]

Avro 696 Shackleton Mk.2

The Mark 2 had a longer nose and the radome was moved to the ventral position. Lookout position in tail. Dorsal turret and two more 20 mm cannons in nose. Twin retractable tailwheels. One aircraft, WB833, originally ordered as an MR.1 was built as an MR.2 prototype and first flew on 17 June 1952. [58] The last ten MR.1s on the production line were completed as MR.2s and orders for 80 new-build aircraft were placed; the last 21 were completed as MR.3s and the total number of MR.2s built was 69. [59] The first aircraft entered service with 42 Squadron at RAF St Eval in January 1953. [59]

The aircraft were later modified, in parallel with phased modifications to the Mk.3: [60] MR.Mk.2 Phase 1 or MR.Mk.2C

As per Mk.3 Phase 1. [58] Also received the sonics plotting table from the Mk.3

The Shackleton MR.Mk.2 Phase 2 was as per Mk.3 Phase 2. [58] The MR.Mk.2 Phase 3 was as per Mk.3 Phase 3, except that the Viper engines were not fitted. [58]

Shackleton T.2 Ten MR 2 Phase 3 aircraft were modified in 1967 as T.2s at Langar to replace the T.4s with the Maritime Operational Training Units as radar trainers, with master and slave radar positions for training installed. [58]

Shackleton AEW.2 In 1971 twelve MR.2s were converted at Woodford and Bitteswell as Airborne Early Warning aircraft, the first AEW.2 flew on 30 September 1971 and the type entered service with 8 Squadron on 1 January 1972. [58] The AEW.2 was retired on 1 July 1991. [61]

Avro 716 Shackleton Mk.3

MR3 on display in 2008 Shackleton-WR974-295.jpg
MR3 on display in 2008

Shackleton MR.Mk.3 Maritime reconnaissance, anti-shipping aircraft. The tailwheel configuration was replaced by a tricycle undercarriage, addition of a nose entrance hatch, wingtip tanks to increase fuel capacity. [59] To increase crew comfort the inside was sound proofed, better crew seats and rearranged tactical team positions. [59] To make room for some of the internal rearrangement the dorsal turret was not fitted. [59] The first MR.3 flew on 2 September 1955; the aircraft had problems with stalling characteristics and crashed on 7 December 1956. [59] The variant entered service with 220 Squadron at RAF St Eval in August 1957. [59] The RAF ordered 52 aircraft but later following the 1956 Defence Review it was reduced to 33 aircraft. [59] An additional aircraft was also built to replace the aircraft lost during stalling trials. [59] An additional eight aircraft were exported to South Africa. The aircraft underwent several phased modifications.

The Phase 1 update introduced changes mainly to the internal equipment. [59] The Phase 2 update introduced electronic countermeasures (ECM) equipment, the distinctive Orange Harvest 'spark plug' and an improved High Frequency radio. [59]

MR.3 XF708 left wing showing outer engine nacelle (left) with propellers at front and Viper turbojet exhaust at rear. Compare with inner nacelle. Avro Shackleton XF708 left wing engines from rear 1992.jpg
MR.3 XF708 left wing showing outer engine nacelle (left) with propellers at front and Viper turbojet exhaust at rear. Compare with inner nacelle.

The third of three MR 3 modification phases including the addition of two Armstrong Siddeley Viper turbojet engines at the rear of the outboard engine nacelles to be used for assisted takeoff. The wing main spars had to be strengthened due to the additional engines. A new navigation system was also fitted and there were some modification to the internal arrangement, including a shorter crew rest area to give more room for the tactical positions. [59] [62]

Projected designs

Avro 717 and 719 Shackleton MR.Mk.4
Project for a re-engined MR.Mk.1 using Napier Nomad engines. Two Nomads were installed in the outer nacelles of a Shackleton prototype to create the only Avro 717 example, but the program was cancelled before the aircraft could be flown. The Avro 719 would have replaced all four Griffons with Nomads. [60]
Shackleton MR.Mk.5
MR.Mk.5 was a suggested designation for a Nomad-powered variant of the Mk.2. [60]

Operators

Retired SAAF 1721 N, on permanent display at Swartkop SAAF-Avro Shackleton-001.jpg
Retired SAAF 1721 N, on permanent display at Swartkop
Bomb aimer's position and bombsight on SAAF 1721 N Bomb Aimer Window-Avro Shackleton-001.jpg
Bomb aimer's position and bombsight on SAAF 1721 N
Flag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg  South Africa
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom

Survivors

SAAF 1722 P, the last flying Shackleton MR.3 Avro Shackleton Mk.3 SAAF.jpg
SAAF 1722 P, the last flying Shackleton MR.3
A Shackleton AEW.2 on display at the Science and Industry Museum in Manchester Shackleton AEW.JPG
A Shackleton AEW.2 on display at the Science and Industry Museum in Manchester

A complete list is available here. [77]

Cyprus

Stored or under restoration

South Africa

On display

United Kingdom

MR.3 at the Gatwick Aviation Museum Shackleton-WR974-313.jpg
MR.3 at the Gatwick Aviation Museum
Stored or under restoration
On display

Western Sahara

SAAF 1716 J ('Pelican 16'), crashed in the Sahara in 1994 SAAF Avro Shackleton MR3 Shevelev-2.jpg
SAAF 1716 J ('Pelican 16'), crashed in the Sahara in 1994

United States

On display

Specifications

Orthographic projection of the Avro Shackleton MR Mk 1A, with profile views of all the other major variants Avro Shackleton.svg
Orthographic projection of the Avro Shackleton MR Mk 1A, with profile views of all the other major variants
Head on view. Note the two nose-mounted 20 mm Hispano cannons SAAF-Avro Shackleton-003.jpg
Head on view. Note the two nose-mounted 20 mm Hispano cannons
Interior of a Shackleton's bomb bay Avro Shackleton Bomb Bay-001.jpg
Interior of a Shackleton's bomb bay
External videos
Nuvola apps kaboodle.svg 1990s documentary on the Avro Shackleton
Nuvola apps kaboodle.svg Engine run of a preserved Shackleton
Nuvola apps kaboodle.svg Shackleton displaying at RAF Cosford, 1991

Data from Flight International, [89] Jones [90]

General characteristics

Performance

Armament

Avionics

See also

Related development

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

Related lists

Related Research Articles

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No. 220 Squadron of the Royal Air Force (RAF) was founded in 1918 and disbanded in 1963 after four separate periods of service. The squadron saw service in both the First and Second World Wars, as a maritime patrol unit, and finally as part of Britain's strategic nuclear deterrent.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mk 101 Lulu</span>

The Mark 101 Lulu was an airdropped nuclear depth charge developed by the United States Navy and the Atomic Energy Commission during the 1950s. It carried a W34 nuclear warhead, with an explosive yield of about 11 kilotons. It was deployed by the U.S. Navy for the purposes of antisubmarine warfare, in at least five different models, from 1958 through 1971. These nuclear weapons were also stockpiled overseas at the bases of NATO allies, under American military guard and control, for the potential use by maritime patrol planes of NATO. This capability was most notably used at the air base of RAF St. Mawgan in Cornwall by British Avro Shackleton patrol planes and the Royal Netherlands Navy's P-2 Neptune and P-3 Orion patrol planes. Neither the Lulu nor any other kind of nuclear antisubmarine or antiship weapon was ever used in combat by any country.

No. 224 Squadron RAF was a Royal Air Force squadron that saw service in both the First and Second World Wars.

No. 236 Operational Conversion Unit was a Royal Air Force Operational Conversion Unit which was active between 1947 and 1992 and formed by re-numbering and merging different units.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No. 18 Group RAF</span> Former Royal Air Force operations group

No. 18 Group of the Royal Air Force was a group active from 1918 to 1919, and from 1938 to 1996.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">British Aerospace Nimrod AEW3</span> Cancelled Airborne Early Warning aircraft project

The British Aerospace Nimrod AEW3 was a proposed airborne early warning (AEW) aircraft which was to provide airborne radar cover for the air defence of the United Kingdom by the Royal Air Force (RAF). The project was designed to use the existing Nimrod airframe, in use with the RAF as a maritime patrol aircraft, combined with a new radar system and avionics package developed by Marconi Avionics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Allied Command Channel</span>

Allied Command Channel (ACCHAN) was one of three major North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) commands from 1952 to 1994. Commander-in-Chief Channel was a Major NATO Commander (MNC).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No. 19 Group RAF</span> Former Royal Air Force operations group

No. 19 Group was a group of the Royal Air Force, active during 1918, and then from 1941–1969.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hawker Siddeley Nimrod R1</span>

The Hawker Siddeley Nimrod R1 is a signals intelligence (reconnaissance) aircraft formerly operated by the Royal Air Force. The aircraft was a conversion of the existing Nimrod maritime patrol aircraft, with all of the previous avionics and armament replaced by equipment for gathering communications and electronic intelligence.

Radar, Air to Surface Vessel, or ASV radar for short, is a classification used by the Royal Air Force (RAF) to refer to a series of aircraft-mounted radar systems used to scan the surface of the ocean to locate ships and surfaced submarines. The first examples were developed just before the opening of World War II and they have remained a major instrument on patrol aircraft since that time. It is part of the wider surface-search radar classification, which includes similar radars in ground and ship mountings.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1990 Scotland RAF Shackleton crash</span> RAF Shackleton crash on the Isle of Harris, Scotland

On 30 April 1990, a Royal Air Force Avro Shackleton AEW Mk II aircraft, of No. 8 Squadron RAF, based at RAF Lossiemouth, crashed into a hill on the Isle of Harris whilst attempting to land at RAF Benbecula. All ten crew on board died in the crash, which included the wing commander who was in charge of No. 8 Squadron at the time. The Shackleton was the last of the fleet to be involved in a fatal accident, and the type was withdrawn from RAF service in 1991.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1955 RAF Shackleton aircraft disappearance</span> Aircraft loss in 1955

The 1955 RAF Shackleton aircraft disappearance occurred on 11 January 1955, when two Shackleton aircraft of No. 42 Squadron, RAF, disappeared over the sea south west of the Irish coast. The main theory put forward and accepted in some circles is that the two aircraft crashed into each other after they launched within six minutes of each other, and were en route to the same area. Wreckage from one of the aircraft was found 11 years later, in a different location to their supposed accident point. At least one writer has commented on this being the worst of all the Shackleton losses.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Air-Sea Warfare Development Unit RAF</span> Royal Air Force Coastal Command Unit

Air-Sea Warfare Development Unit RAF (ASWDU) was a research and development unit of the Royal Air Force, within RAF Coastal Command, it was operational from December 1940 and disbanded in April 1970.

References

Notes

  1. ↑ The name of the aircraft came about due to the influence of Roy Chadwick, Chief Designer at Avro, who had initially worked alongside, and later became a close friend, of Ernest Shackleton. [1] The name was also in line with an Air Ministry policy of naming new general reconnaissance aircraft after explorers. [2]

Citations

  1. ↑ Jones 2002, pp. 6–7.
  2. 1 2 3 Flight 18 May 1950, p. 612.
  3. ↑ Jefford et al. 2005, pp. 67–68.
  4. ↑ Jones 2002, pp. 22, 27.
  5. 1 2 Jefford et al. 2005, pp. 68–69.
  6. ↑ Jones 2002, p. 43.
  7. ↑ Billings, Bill. "The Shackleton Story." Archived 5 July 2008 at the Wayback Machine The Shackleton Association. Retrieved: 10 July 2008.
  8. ↑ Buttler 2004, p. 144.
  9. ↑ Jones 2002, p. 30.
  10. ↑ Jefford et al. 2005, pp. 70–71.
  11. ↑ Flight 18 May 1950, p. 611.
  12. ↑ Harlin and Jenks 1973, p. 164.
  13. ↑ Jones 2002, pp. 34, 36–37, 39.
  14. ↑ Jefford et al. 2005, pp. 71–74.
  15. ↑ Jones 2002, p. 67.
  16. 1 2 3 4 5 World Aircraft Information Files 1997.
  17. ↑ Jefford et al. 2005, pp. 74–75.
  18. ↑ Jones 2002, p. 85.
  19. ↑ Jones 2002, pp. 93, 95–96.
  20. ↑ The Shackleton, Chris Ashworth, Aston Publications Limited 1990, ISBN   0 946627 16 9, p.44
  21. ↑ "Shackletons in the SAAF – Retirement." Archived 23 February 2008 at the Wayback Machine The Shackleton Project. Retrieved: 10 July 2008.
  22. ↑ Jefford et al. 2005, pp. 77–78.
  23. ↑ Jefford et al. 2005, p. 88.
  24. ↑ Jones 2002, pp. 84–85.
  25. ↑ Jefford et al. 2005, p. 72.
  26. ↑ Jones 2002, p. 31.
  27. 1 2 Jefford et al. 2005, p. 76.
  28. 1 2 Jefford et al. 2005, pp. 72–74.
  29. ↑ Jones 2002, p. 34.
  30. ↑ Flight 18 May 1950, p. 617.
  31. ↑ Flight 18 May 1950, pp. 612–613, 616.
  32. ↑ Jones 2002, p. 33.
  33. ↑ Jones 2002, p. 86.
  34. ↑ Nick Carter. Meteor Eject!: Recollections of a Pioneer RAF Jet Pilot of the 1950s and 60s: Amazon.co.uk: Carter, Nick: 9781873203651: Books. ASIN   1873203659.
  35. ↑ Jefford et al. 2005, pp. 73, 77–78, 87–88.
  36. ↑ Jefford et al. 2005, pp. 70–72.
  37. ↑ Lake, Deborah (2010). Growling over the oceans : the Avro Shackleton, the men and the missions 1951-1991. London: Souvenir Press. pp. 16–17. ISBN   9780285638761.
  38. ↑ Jones 2002, pp. 121–122.
  39. ↑ Dr Francis Owtram (11 December 2014). "A Close Relationship: Britain and Oman Since 1750". QDL.
  40. 1 2 "Britain's secret wars | Ian Cobain". The Guardian . 8 September 2016. Retrieved 19 April 2022.
  41. ↑ "A/RES/2302(XXII)". Undocs.org. Retrieved 19 April 2022.
  42. ↑ Peterson, J. E. (2013). Oman's Insurgencies: The Sultanate's Struggle for Supremacy. Saqi. p. 43. ISBN   978-0-86356-702-5.
  43. ↑ "British National Archives: Oman 1957-9" (PDF). Markcurtis.info. Retrieved 19 April 2022.
  44. ↑ Jefford et al. 2005, p. 78.
  45. ↑ Jefford et al. 2005, pp. 70–72, 74–77.
  46. ↑ Jefford et al. 2005, pp. 82–83.
  47. ↑ Jones 2002, p. 49.
  48. ↑ Jefford et al. 2005, pp. 83–87.
  49. ↑ Jefford et al. 2005, pp. 75, 89.
  50. ↑ Tyack 2005, p. 87.
  51. 1 2 3 4 "The Shackleton in the SAAF." saafmuseum.org.za, 23 February 2011.
  52. ↑ "Shackletons in the SAAF – Birth of a Legend." Archived 24 May 2008 at the Wayback Machine The Shackleton project. Retrieved: 10 July 2008.
  53. ↑ Jones 2002, pp. 111–114.
  54. 1 2 Jones 2002, pp. 114–115.
  55. ↑ "The Avro Shackelton and The SAAF Museum." Archived 3 May 2010 at the Wayback Machine SAAF Museum, 21 February 2010. Retrieved: 16 January 2012.
  56. ↑ Jones 2002, p. 7.
  57. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Avro Shackleton MR.Mk1, MR.Mk.1A and T.Mk.4 in Royal Air Force Service". Aeromilitaria (1). Air-Britain. 1975.
  58. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Avro Shackleton MR.2 in Royal Air Force Service". Aeromilitaria (4/76). Air-Britain. 1976.
  59. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 "Avro Shackleton MR.3 in Royal Air Force Service". Aeromilitaria (2/75). Air-Britain. 1975.
  60. 1 2 3 Howard (1972)
  61. ↑ March 1992, p. 75.
  62. ↑ Jefford et al. 2005, p. 103.
  63. ↑ Jefford 1988, p. 37.
  64. ↑ Jefford 1988, p. 38.
  65. ↑ Jefford 1988, p. 39.
  66. ↑ Jefford 1988, p. 58.
  67. ↑ Jefford 1988, p. 67.
  68. 1 2 3 Jefford 1988, p. 68.
  69. ↑ Jefford 1988, p. 69.
  70. ↑ Jefford 1988, p. 70.
  71. ↑ Jefford 1988, p. 72.
  72. ↑ Jefford 1988, p. 73.
  73. ↑ Jefford 1988, p. 74.
  74. ↑ Jefford 1988, p. 76.
  75. ↑ Jefford 1988, p. 81.
  76. ↑ Avro(Hawker Siddeley) Shackleton Mks 1 to 4, Peter J. Howard, Profile Publications Limited, p.196
  77. ↑ "The Shackleton Association - Surviving Avro Shackletons". Thegrowler.org.uk. Retrieved 19 April 2022.
  78. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Calloway, Tim (29 August 2014). Avro Shackleton – The Grey Lady. Aviation Classics. Lincolnshire, UK: Aviation Classics. pp. 126–128.
  79. ↑ "SAAF Museum Shackleton 1721 shining bright." Archived 13 April 2014 at the Wayback Machine af.mil.za, Retrieved: 12 April 2014.
  80. ↑ Teale, Chris "Shackleton 1722 Video Launch." Archived 23 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine af.mil.za, 28 June 2007.
  81. ↑ "Howzit FREE Classifieds, South Africa". Howzit.co.za. Retrieved 19 April 2022.
  82. ↑ "Vickers Viking VC1A." Saamuseum.co.za, Retrieved: 12 April 2014.
  83. ↑ "Avro Shackleton W963 & de Havilland Vampire W2507 Engine runs live!" . Retrieved 19 April 2022– via YouTube.
  84. ↑ "Exploring Royal Air Force History." Royal Air Force, Retrieved: 12 April 2014.
  85. ↑ "Aircraft list." Archived 28 December 2013 at the Wayback Machine Newark Air Museum, Retrieved: 12 April 2014.
  86. ↑ "Avro Shackleton Mk3 PH3." Archived 6 April 2014 at the Wayback Machine gatwick-aviation-museum.co.uk, Retrieved: 12 April 2014.
  87. ↑ Dickens, Peter (23 January 2016). "The sad fate of Pelican 16". The Observation Post. Retrieved 6 July 2022.
  88. ↑ "Shackleton." Pima Air & Space Museum, Retrieved: 12 April 2014.
  89. ↑ Flight 18 May 1950, p. 614.
  90. ↑ Jones 2002, p. 108.
  91. ↑ Lednicer, David. "The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage". m-selig.ae.illinois.edu. Retrieved 16 April 2019.

Bibliography

  • Ashworth, Chris. Avro's Maritime Heavyweight: The Shackleton, Aston Publications Limited 1990, ISBN   0 946627 16 9.
  • Buttler, Tony. British Secret Projects: Fighters and Bombers 1935–1950 (British Secret Projects 3). Hinckley, Lancastershire, UK: Midland Publishing, 2004. ISBN   978-1-85780-179-8.
  • "Shackleton: The New Avro General Reconnaissance Aircraft for Coastal Command". Flight International, 18 May 1950.
  • Harlin, E.A. and G.A. Jenks. Avro: An Aircraft Album. Shepperton, Middlesex, UK: Ian Allan, 1973. ISBN   978-0-71100-342-2.
  • Holmes, Harry. Avro: The History of an Aircraft Company. Wiltshire, UK: The Crowood Press, 2004. ISBN   1-86126-651-0.
  • Howard, Peter J. Aircraft Profile 243: Avro (Hawker Siddeley) Shackleton Mks 1 to 4, Windsor, Berkshire, UK:. Profile Publications Ltd., 1972. (Republished in compilation edition: Aircraft in Profile, Volume 13, 1973, pp. 193–217. ISBN   0-85383-022-3.)
  • Jackson, Aubrey J. Avro Aircraft since 1908. London: Putnam, 1965. ISBN   0-85177-797-X.
  • Jefford, C.G (ed.). "Seminar – Maritime Operations." Royal Air Force Historical Society, 2005. ISSN   1361-4231.
  • Jefford, C G. RAF Squadrons, first edition 1988, Airlife Publishing, UK, ISBN   1 85310 053 6.
  • Jones, Barry. Avro Shackleton. Crowood Press, 2002. ISBN   1-86126-449-6.
  • March, P. (1992). Royal Air Force Yearbook 1992. Fairford, UK: Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund.
  • Tyack, Bill "Maritime Patrol in the Piston Engine Era" Royal Air Force Historical Society Journal33, 2005 ISSN   1361-4231
  • World Aircraft Information Files, File # 023. London: Bright Star Publishing Ltd, 1997.

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