History

The Avro Shackleton was designed by AVRO's Roy Chadwick, and initially designated AVRO Type 696 in response to Air Ministry specification R5/46. The Shackleton was a development of the Lincoln strategic bomber, extensively redesigned and adapted for maritime patrol. Its first flight took place in 1951. 185 Aircraft were built between 1951 and 1958 in three different marks.

The Shackleton MR I was first issued to No 120 Coastal Command SQN in 1951. The MR II Had its radar moved from the chin to a ventral position aft of the bomb bay in a retractable “dustbin” radome. Its nose was lengthened for a bomb aimer/nose gunner position which was equipped with twin 20mm Hispano cannons. The tail section was lengthened for a tail lookout position. The MR III had a slightly larger airframe with tricycle undercarriage, and was equipped with hydraulic brakes. The wings were modified with wingtip tanks. Later on some MR IIIs were equipped with auxiliary jet engines at the rear of the outboard engine nacelles, which improved takeoff performance. The kit does not offer this option.
The Mk III were the only model to be exported, with 8 going to 35 SQN SAAF, who flew them until 1984.

First Impressions

The classic CMR end opening box contains 1 parts layout sheet, 4 decal layout sheets, 2 photo sheets of aircraft details (RAF 203C)
The 67 Resin airframe parts are free on any major flash. 8 Clear resin parts and 16 White metal parts round out the kit. Twice the number of props than required are supplied, just in case!

Fuselage

The fuselage halves fit together well. The panel lines are very finely engraved and may well disappear after painting There are no location pins on fuselage; this will require tabs to be glued in to aid alignment.

Wings

The two wings are moulded in one piece each. They will have to be drilled and pins glued in at wing root due to the loose fit. The wing tip tanks will also have to be pinned. There is no detail molded into wheel wells.

Empennage

This four piece assembly has positive locating points.

Landing gear

The kit comes with a choice of resin or white metal gear. The resin looks frail so I would use the white metal ones. The tyres (it's a British aeroplane, after all) are made of resin with hubs molded in and no tread detail.

Accuracy

I don't compare models to drawings or published measurements. When assembled it will look like a Shackleton.

Decals and Markings

The decals are printed in matte colours and are in register. They have minimum decal carrier except on the wing walkway markings which may be a problem.
Markings are provided for 6 Aircraft:
RAF

• 1. 203(MR) Squadron, Ballykelly 1960.
  
• 2. 201(MR) Squadron, St.Mawgan 1958.
  
• 3. 120(MR)Squadron , Kinloss 1965.
  

SAAF

• 1. 35 Squadron, 1957 #1716J
  
• 2. 35 Squadron #1722P
  
• 3. 35 Squadron #1717O
  

Please remember, when contacting retailers or manufacturers, to mention that you saw their products highlighted here - on AEROSCALE.