Avro Shackleton Mr2 1/72 Maritime Patrol Kit Airfix A11004

Description

Avro Shackleton Mr2 1:72 Maritime Patrol

Developed from the Lincoln bomber and sharing with it the DNA of the famous Lancaster, the Avro Shackleton enjoyed a long career with the RAF,
first as a maritime patrol aircraft and then as the RAF’s primary AEW (Airborne Early Warning) aircraft. Powered by four Rolls Royce Griffin engines
driving contra rotating propellers, the Shackleton was known to be a noisy machine, earning itself a host of nicknames but it still proved to be popular
machine with its crews. Entering service in MR.1 guise in 1951, it was 1993 before the aircraft would finally leave frontline service.

The MR.2 Shackleton was introduced in 1953 and introduced a very different nose position to the MR.1, housing two 20mm cannons, with an additional
two in a Dorset turret. Combined with its load of torpedoes or depth chargers the Shackleton in this guise was relatively heavily armed for a maritime
patrol aircraft. Other uses for the ‘Growler’ was as a colonial policing machine (replacing the Lincoln in this role) as well as monitoring the oceans for
drug and arms smugglers, enforcing UN embargos and Air Sea Rescue Work; a role the aircraft performed admirably throughout its service. Although
the AEW.2 version remained in service until 1991, the MR.2 was phased out in favour of the Nimrod in the 1970s.