One of the last two airworthy Shackletons, an AEW.2 WL790 (N790WL) named "Mr. McHenry," was owned by Air Atlantique and The Shackleton Preservation Trust, and was hosted by the Commemorative Air Force in the USA into the mid-2000s. (Image by Max Haynes - MaxAir2Air.com.)
 

History: Designed and built as the RAF’s first dedicated four-engine long-range maritime patrol aircraft, the Avro Shackleton was the final expression of Avro’s classic heavy bombers, the Lancaster and Lincoln. Retaining the wing and landing gear of the Lincoln, the Shackleton had a larger, rounder and shorter fuselage, which provided space for a crew of 10. Armament included two 20mm cannon in the nose, two in a dorsal turret, and two machine guns in the tail plus bombs or depth charges, depending on the mission.

Entering service in 1951, the plane underwent two primary modifications over the years. The MR.2 gained a semi-retractable ‘dustbin’ radome, allowing a 360-degree scan as well as changes allowing the plane to fly with three engines feathered. The Shackleton MR.3 added greater overall capabilities with improved ailerons, wing tip tanks and better crew quarters. By the late 1960’s the Shackleton was being replaced by the Nimrod jet patrol aircraft. However, this grand dame was not finished yet.

Responding to the loss of Airborne Early Warning (AEW) capability with the demise of the Royal Navy’s carriers, twelve Shackletons were pressed into service as AEW.2 aircraft in 1971. The radome was replaced by a ‘guppy’ radar unit forward of the weapons bay, and many internal changes were made to accommodate the electronic gear and radar operators. From 1974 to 1991, the Shackleton AEW.2 flew missions over the North Sea, Arctic Ocean and western Atlantic until relieved by the Boeing E-3D Sentry.

A single Shackleton (Pelican 22) is operated in South Africa as a part of the SAAF "Historic Flight."

Another Shackleton, "WR963," is based at Coventry Airfield in the UK, and is undergoing a refurbishment program which should make it airworthy again in the future. For now, WR963 makes regular engine runs and taxi runs, and is available for tours.

Nicknames: Shack; The Growler; Flying Spark Plug; Old Grey Lady; Shacklebomber; Contra-Rotating Nissen Hut; Bear-Hunter.

Specifications (MR.3):
        Engine: Four 2,455-hp Rolls-Royce Griffon 57A V-12 piston engines (Later versions also had two 2,500-pound thrust Rolls-Royce Viper 203 turbojets)
        Weight: Empty 57,800 lbs., Max Takeoff 98,000 lbs.
        Wing Span: 119ft. 10in.
        Length: 92ft. 6in.
        Height: 23ft. 4in.
        Performance:
            Maximum Speed: 302 mph
            Ceiling: 19,200 ft.
            Range: 3,660 miles
        Armament:
            Two 20-mm cannon in nose
            Up to 10,000 pounds of weapons in under-fuselage bomb bay

Number Built: ~188

Number Still Airworthy: One

Links:
Cornish Aviation Society
The Shackleton Association
The Shackleton Project
Shackleton WL795, RAF St. Mawgan, UK -- Interior and restoration photos.
Shackleton WR963, Coventry, UK

[Back to Warbird Alley's Main Page]

All text and photos Copyright 2016 The Doublestar Group, unless otherwise noted.
You may use this page for your own, non-commercial reference purposes only.