On the 5th January 1990 The first Boeing E-3D Sentry AEW1 for the RAF, ZH101, made its first flight from the Boeing facility at Seattle. The AWACS aircraft was intended to replace the 'stop-gap' Shackleton AEW Mk 2 in service with No 8 Squadron.
17 Apr 1991 - WL757, a Shackleton AEW Mk 2 of No 8 Squadron, made the type's final flight in RAF service bringing to a close 40 years of active service. The Squadron officially handed over AEW duties to the Sentry unit at Waddington with a transfer of command on 1 July.
In full 8 Squadron received 7 Sentry's with only now 5 left in service..
Note: Not to be confused with my similar release for the RAF 8th SQN 100th Anniversary Sentry. This is a complete overhaul..
Much thanks
Mark
