Sad that no more are being flown. We are lucky that B-29 FIFI is getting air time. The costs to operate any 4-engined type (fuel, maintenance, and insurance) are so high that it's doubtful many will fly for extended periods.
When I lived in Newquay Cornwall in the '60s you could hear the engines being run up at St Mawgan aerodrome, around 11 miles away I think. They sometimes flew so low over our house you could actually see the aircrew.
Sorry to disappoint you, but we're not! We had a statement published in the aviation press at the beginning of 2010 about it. Fast taxiing is the best you're going to get out of her I'm afraid.
No. The last ones were 1722 in South Africa, and WL790 in the USA. Both of them did their last flights a few years back. WL790 went to Pima Arizona in December 2007 which I think was the last flight of a Shackleton anywhere.
@biggles 19821 That's a shame because they were an everyday occurrence when I was a kid. A lot of people didn't like the noise of them flying so low but I loved it.
Yes, Rolls Royce Griffons, 2455 hp each and an ex-crew member, who still looks after this aircraft, explained to me that Avro resorted to counter-rotating propellors as the only way of feasibly harnessing all that power; single propellors would have had to be so big they would have fouled the ground.
Thanks for your comment-interesting engineering question, but one which I am not qualified to answer. I rather think though that contra-props must be a very complicated engineering solution, as so very few aircraft have had them.
@juzzi07 I have a book in which Shackleton crews were quoted as saying that the noise of one taking off is the best sound in the world, because it means you're not on board. Apparently, flying in those aircraft was not a pleasant experience.
Avro Shackleton = 20,000 rivets flying in close formation followed by an oil slicklol. Anyway, thats what we used to say in the RAF.
MrCagivaman 8 months ago
Sad that no more are being flown. We are lucky that B-29 FIFI is getting air time. The costs to operate any 4-engined type (fuel, maintenance, and insurance) are so high that it's doubtful many will fly for extended periods.
FiveCentsPlease 1 year ago
When I lived in Newquay Cornwall in the '60s you could hear the engines being run up at St Mawgan aerodrome, around 11 miles away I think. They sometimes flew so low over our house you could actually see the aircrew.
gm16v149 1 year ago
THEY are trying to get this one flying again so you may hear the charateristic growl of the Rolls Royce Griffons again
BRU11ROAD 1 year ago
@BRU11ROAD
Sorry to disappoint you, but we're not! We had a statement published in the aviation press at the beginning of 2010 about it. Fast taxiing is the best you're going to get out of her I'm afraid.
biggles19821 1 year ago
@biggles19821 Are there any Shacks flying now? I remember one crashed at St Mawgan and another one in Scotland many years ago.
gm16v149 1 year ago
@gm16v149
No. The last ones were 1722 in South Africa, and WL790 in the USA. Both of them did their last flights a few years back. WL790 went to Pima Arizona in December 2007 which I think was the last flight of a Shackleton anywhere.
biggles19821 1 year ago
@biggles 19821 That's a shame because they were an everyday occurrence when I was a kid. A lot of people didn't like the noise of them flying so low but I loved it.
gm16v149 1 year ago
THEY are trying to get this one flying again so you may hear the charteristic growl of the Rolls Royce Griffons again
BRU11ROAD 1 year ago
Yep, the AEW used to fly over us in Alford all the time in the early 80s. Brilliant sound...but you could never call them stealthy! XD
K1w1scot 2 years ago
Fantastic video. Thanks for sharing.
Hanglands 3 years ago
Yes, Rolls Royce Griffons, 2455 hp each and an ex-crew member, who still looks after this aircraft, explained to me that Avro resorted to counter-rotating propellors as the only way of feasibly harnessing all that power; single propellors would have had to be so big they would have fouled the ground.
Proplinerman 3 years ago
@Proplinerman then... how come you have Reno racers with 4000 hp and a single prop ??
Look it up, the advantages and disvantages of contra-props...
canals22 1 year ago
@canals22
Thanks for your comment-interesting engineering question, but one which I am not qualified to answer. I rather think though that contra-props must be a very complicated engineering solution, as so very few aircraft have had them.
Proplinerman 1 year ago
Wow I did not know the Shackelton had counter rotate propelleres...great stuff indeed
grazyarnie 4 years ago
that's what gives it the classic 'Shackleton' Growl....along with 50% more growl from the Griffons.
this is the best sounding aircraft in the air bar none.
The sound is sorely missed from our skies.
juzzi07 3 years ago
@juzzi07 I have a book in which Shackleton crews were quoted as saying that the noise of one taking off is the best sound in the world, because it means you're not on board. Apparently, flying in those aircraft was not a pleasant experience.
MarsFKA 1 year ago
Great stuff!!
GibsonElectric 4 years ago