AVRO 696 Shackleton 1

Long range maritime reconnaissance was developed during
World War 2 to protect Trans-Atlantic convoys.
Co-incidentally, long range landplanes were being
developed, thereby replacing flying boats. The RAF was
duly equipped with American long range aircraft under
Lease-Lend arrangements, but these had to be returned at
the end of the War.

The Lancaster bomber was converted for these duties, but
was not ideal, so the Air Ministry issued a requirement for a
suitable machine. Avro Chief Designer Roy Chadwick
conceived an aircraft utilizing as many existing components
as possible from the Lancaster, Lincoln and Tudor, thus
reducing development time. The new design, the Type 696
was first flown from Woodford by Avro Chief Test Pilot
J.H. (Jimmy) Orrell on March 9th. 1949.

The aircraft was designated Shackleton G.R.1, but later
changed to M.R.1 and was powered by 2,450 hp Rolls-
Royce Griffon 57 engines. Chadwick chose to name the
aircraft in honour of the Polar explorer Sir Ernest
Shackleton. His wife Mary was a direct descendant.

(Monochrome Photograph showing - Prototype Shackleton GR.1.)

The purpose of the Shackleton was to provide long range
maritime surveillance and Reconnaissance (M.R.) through
their airborne radar facility. Additionally they were
designed to perform a maritime search and rescue role.
However their primary task was to seek out and destroy, if
required, any hostile shipping, submarines, and aircraft.

Introduction into service coincided with the early years of
the "Cold War" between NATO and the Warsaw Pact
Countries, mainly the powerful Soviet Union. Russian
threats were their long range "Bear" aircraft; Diesel
Submarines operating in the North Atlantic and
Mediterranean and also the sophisticated "Spy Trawlers"
operating off our coastlines which were filled with
electronic listening equipment.

To combat these, the Shackleton was equipped with Depth
Charges, Bombs, Cannon and Machine Guns, specialised
detection systems and a large chin mounted radar scanner.

(Colour Photograph showing - Soviet 'Bear' Long Range Patrol Aircraft.)