Avro Shackleton. The Avro Shackleton is a British long-range maritime patrol aircraft (MPA) used by the Royal Air Force (RAF) and the South African Air Force (SAAF).
Where can I see Shackleton planes in South Africa?
South Africa 1 SAAF 1721 on display at the South African Air Force Museum in Swartkop. 2 SAAF 1722, commonly known as ‘Pelican 22’, was the last airworthy Shackleton MR3. The aircraft is owned by the South African Air Force Museum based at AFB Ysterplaat. 3 SAAF 1723 at Vic’s Viking Garage, next to the Golden Highway in Meredale, Johannesburg.
What was the purpose of the Shackleton?
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.
What happened to the Shackleton ship?
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.
How many Avro Shackleton MR1 were made?
Later, and upon entering RAF Service in 1951, its name was changed to Avro Shackleton, chosen after the polar explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton. Production statistics comprised three prototypes, followed by 29 Avro Shackleton MR.1 and 48 Avro 696 Shackleton MR.1A, the latter fitted with four Griffon 57A engines (and wider outboard nacelles).
Is there a drawing of Shackleton MR 4?
Among the gems is quite a lot about a projected Shackleton MR 4 and also an Avro commemorative brochure with an artist impression of the aircraft and a three-view drawing. This drawing also appears on the Avro Shackleton website and in slightly more precise form in the Chris Ashworth book The Avro Maritime Heavyweight
What happened to the Avro 696 Shackleton?
Like the Avro 652 Anson and the Avro 698 Vulcan, the Avro 696 Shackleton was destined to have an extremely long service life, with the last aircraft being retired in 1991, forty-two years after the first flight of the prototype.
