Essentially a development of the Avro Lancaster via the later Lincoln,
the Avro Shackleton was the RAF's first line of defence in the maritime
role from 1951 for twenty years, thereafter continuing to serve as an
airborne early warning aircraft for another twenty, until 1991. The 'Old
Grey Lady', the 'Growler', '20,000 rivets in loose formation', but
mostly known simply as the 'Shack', it is viewed with great affection by
those who flew and maintained it. In addition to its traditional
sub-hunting role, it was also used extensively for search and rescue
operations, and even as a conventional bomber in the Aden theatre.
Operating around the world with squadrons based in the UK, the
Mediterranean, Middle East and Far East, 'Shacks' were also used to
support the blockade of oil supplies to Rhodesia during the UDI crisis
in the '60s and '70s, and searching for gun-running boats during the
Indonesian Confrontation. All of the Boys' stories are from air and
ground crew veterans themselves, and because there are so many vital and
entertaining accounts, Steve Bond has divided his subject into two
volumes. Consequently this volume will cover UK-based units flying from
Ballykelly (including Aldergrove), Farnborough, Honington, Kinloss,
Lossiemouth, St Eval and St Mawgan, plus many overseas detachments
including Christmas Island and Majunga. To complement the detailed
personal accounts and anecdotes are hundreds of original photographs and
extensive appendices. A feast for any 'Shack' or military aviation
aficionado. Volume Two (coming in 2019) will cover those units based
overseas at Changi, Gan, Gibraltar, Khormaksar, Luqa (and Hal Far), and
Sharjah, plus the South African Air Force operations from
Ysterplaat/Malan.
