AVRO 696 Shackleton 5

In the late 1960s a shortfall in Britain's ability to detect low flying aircraft required some urgent action. The Shackleton was the only available aircraft that could be adapted to meet this duty. As the Mark 3 was being withdrawn due to excessive flying hours, the Mark 2 was chosen. A prototype conversion was made at Woodford, first flying on September 30th1971. The most noticeable change was the addition of a large radome under the cockpit area, this being taken from the now redundant Fairey Gannet. The new version was designated Shackleton AEW.2, and 12 MR.2s were converted and delivered to No.8 Squadron at Lossiemouth. Although only a 'stop-gap' aircraft, the AEW.2 was only retired in 1991.

(Colour Photograph showing - Shackleton AEW.2 of 8 Sqn.)

40th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
On 9th March 1989 a special event took place at Avro's Woodford Aerodrome. Five Shackletons from No.8 Squadron, based at Lossiemouth in Scotland, flew down to their birthplace to acknowledge 40 years of continuous service for the Type 696. After a fly past in formation the aircraft, all M.R.2/AEW2 variants, landed on the aerodrome for a formal and informal celebration and for a dinner in honour of Avro, the Shackleton, the men who made them and importantly the men who flew them.