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AVRO SHACKLETON

Avro Shackleton, Coventry 2003 - pic by Nigel Key
Avro Shackleton, Coventry 2003 ©Nigel Key

ROLE
Maritime Patrol Aircraft.

FIRST FLIGHT
9th of March 1949.

The Avro Shackleton was designed by Roy Chadwick based upon the Lincoln bomber and the Tudor airliner which were derivations of the Avro Lancaster.

The original development aircraft, known as the Lincoln ASR.3, had the Lincoln's centre wing and tail, Tudor outer wings and landing gear with a wider and deeper fuselage and was powered by four Rolls Royce Merlin engines.

The concept was accepted by the Air Ministry with the four Merlin engines changed to Rolls Royce Griffon fitted with contra-rotating propellers.

The Griffons were specified due to their increased power at lower engine speeds allowing the Shackleton to spend several hours at low altitude when hunting for submarines without over stressing the engines in the denser air.

A further development, designated MR.3, had a larger fuselage, new wings with better control surfaces, tip tanks and a new 'tricycle' undercarriage. Improvements were made to the sound deadening with a galley and sleeping space were added.

Due to the additional upgrades the MR.3 had an increased take-off weight of approx. 30,000lb and required take-off assistance in the form of two Viper Mk.203 turbojets.

PRODUCTION
The Avro Shackleton was produced from 1951 to 1958, with 185 built.

ENGINES
4 x Rolls Royce Griffon 57As, producing 9,820 hp.

ARMAMENT
4 x 20mm cannon
10,000 lb (4,540 kg) Bomb/Depth Charge/Torpedo load

The first Shackleton was delivered to No.120 Squadron on 30 March 1951 and by the end of 1952 seven Squadrons were equipped with the aircraft.

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 first operational deployment occurred in 1955 transporting troops to Cyprus and less than a year later the Shackleton was deployed to Suez, codenamed Operation Musketeer.

In 1957 RAF Shackleton’s were involved in the Jebel Akhdar war in Oman.

In the 1960s, Shackleton’s monitored the seas for vessels involved in arms smuggling. Similar operations were conducted in Cyprus, and Shackleton’s operating from bases in Madagascar cooperated with Royal Navy vessels to enforce a United Nation-mandated oil blockade of Rhodesia.

In 1966, the Shackleton could be equipped with nuclear depth charges as a deterrent to the Soviet deep-diving submarines.

Crew - 3
Operators - 8 (tactical)
Length - 87ft 4in (26.61m)
Wingspan - 120ft 0in (36.58m)
Height - 16ft 9in (5.10m)
Empty Weight - 57,000lb (25,855kg)
Max. Weight - 98,000lb (44,452kg)
Max. Speed - 273mph (439 km/h)
Range - 3,050 miles (4,908 km)


PHOTOGRAPHS

Avro Shackleton, Duxford 2007 - pic by Nigel Key Avro Shackleton, Duxford 2007 - pic by Nigel Key Avro Shackleton, Duxford 2007 - pic by Nigel Key
Duxford 2007 Duxford 2007 Duxford 2007
Avro Shackleton, Coventry 2003 - pic by Nigel Key Avro Shackleton, Coventry 2003 - pic by Nigel Key Avro Shackleton, Coventry 2003 - pic by Nigel Key
Coventry 2003 Coventry 2003 Coventry 2003
Avro Shackleton, Coventry 2003 - pic by Nigel Key Avro Shackleton, Coventry 2003 - pic by Nigel Key Avro Shackleton, Coventry 2003 - pic by Nigel Key
Coventry 2003 Coventry 2003 Coventry 2003


Photos copyright of ©Nigel Key




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