AVRO SHACKLETON. POSTWAR MILITARY AIRCRAFT: 3. by Chartres, John - 1999

Shepperton, Surrey: Ian Allan, 1999. 112 pp, large 8vo (9 1/2" H). Profusely illustrated with b&w photographs, drawings. "The Avro Shackleton completed 40 years of front-line service in the Royal Air Force. The first prototype (in shape and concept a direct descendent of the Manchester-Lancaster-Lincoln-Tudor lineage) first flew in 1949, and the AEW aircraft of No 8 Squadron were still operational in the early 1990s. The aircraft undoubtedly marked the end of an era of the RAF's four-piston-engined 'heavies', although it remained in service for nearly 30 years after it was first classified as obsolete. Built originally for anti-submarine warfare, the Shackleton had been used by the RAF for other roles, including search and rescue, colonial policing, troop and freight carrying, supplying weather ships, maritime surveillance and showing the flag. (T)he author not only traces the Shackleton's origins and activities in many different roles but brings out the deep affection felt for the type by both air and ground crews in spite of the arduous and sometimes perilous nature of the operations in which it had been involved. This book was first published in 1985 and statements made then were current. Many of these may well have been overtaken by subsequent events." Dust jacket has fading to the spine colour - lettering still bright.. Reprint. Hard Cover. Near Fine/Very Good.