Military AI Works

I resisted making the Avro Shackleton for a long time because the 8 contra-rotating props would be a nightmare of animation/visibility tagging through 6 of 7 LODs. However, the move to just 2 LODs and a paper aeroplane for the third, makes that far easier.

The added complication, however, is that there are two distinct types of Shackleton – those with a nose wheel and those with a tail wheel (tail dragger). I decided to make one model of each type – the MR3 and the AEW2, as follows:

The MR3 - 8 aircraft from 120 Squadron, based at RAF Kinloss in Scotland between 1951 and 1971:









The AEW2 – 8 aircraft of 8 Squadron, based at RAF Lossimouth in Scotland between 1973 and 1991:











I have not made the 8 South African examples that were in use between 1957 and 1984, but a paint kit will be provided if anyone wants to paint up the MR3’s in those colours.

The packages are AI aircraft only, for FS9 and FX/P3Dv4 and v5 and were sent for inclusion in the Download Hangar this morning. As always, please allow time for them to become available.





John

I've got a picture of an AEW 3 at an airshow (Greenham Common I think) where some wag had mounted a massive clockwork key on the top where the white antenna is.
Also a sign that 8 props is better than four blow jobs (Pre Sentry)
Just love the Shack
Well done John

I got quite a few hours on board the Rivet Formation. Noisy beggars. One of my Ops Officers at CGY got an MBE after he broke the world endurance records for an unrefueled flight in one of MR beasties.

Thanks John! Excellent choice to make these Shackletons, they look very good. I will put the AEW2 to good use in my Lossie retro traffic.

Henk.

Fantastic news John, thank you so very much. A lovely addition to the Kipper fleet

Sent from my SM-A405FN using Tapatalk

I held with 8 Sqn at Lossiemouth for a short while in 1979 after departing the fast-jet business and before going to BBMF. I did a few flights in the AEW3 - mostly involving me making the coffee and tea and attempting to make Honkers' Stew. But I did get long stints in the front gunner's station, which is a lovely place to pass the time, and the quietest place on the aircraft. Loved it!

Thanks for doing this, John. Brings back some memories.

One more tima a very good surprise by John.
Well done.

and many thanks.

Regards.

Must admit, I was waiting for someone to have a go at the mighty Shackleton. One of my favourite British made aircraft for some reason, especially having never seen 1 fly

You're spoiling us again John. These are superb, and have been on the retro wish list for a long time. They will complement my Retro Buccaneers, Hunters and Jags at Lossie perfectly.

8 sqn were still flying Shacks when I was at Lossie in the 1980's, and I remember watching them taxying out and bashing the circuit. A nice change from all the fast jets. The 8 sqn QRA scramble always seemed to be a very leisurely affair.

This is a wonderful surprise and looks awesome....will place a few down at St Mawgan.....

Many thanks John for all your models!!

A British classic. Nice one JY

Oh how long was I waiting for this one!

Many thanks, John. And it looks stunning.

I am really impressed with the variety of aircraft models, John! Never banked on an aircraft like this - great models!
Even if they never visited Brüggen or Gütersloh, I am keen on seeing them as "special guests" there.
What's next? The Columbia-Discovery-Challenger trio maybe ?

Maybe some retro Zeppelin? I would love that!

From mobile hence short

Look fabulous John, thanks for your efforts.

Martin, I thought you would like the Shackleton. I agree, a retro Zeppelin, or maybe R101 coming out of the huge airship hangars at Cardington would be interesting to model and set up the FDE. May be a little fill-in project at some time.

John

Hi John
Thanks very much for the Shackleton. I remember loosing a tooth filling flying from Lossimouth to Honnington once.

Regards Paul Day.

Manschy wrote: ↑01 Jul 2021, 19:32 I am really impressed with the variety of aircraft models, John! Never banked on an aircraft like this - great models!
Even if they never visited Brüggen or Gütersloh, I am keen on seeing them as "special guests" there.
What's next? The Columbia-Discovery-Challenger trio maybe ?

AEW Shackletons most certainly did visit RAFG in my time there, Manschy (1974-77). While there was technically no role for them over the Central Front, the Air Defence guys did need to exercise with airborne fighter controllers from time to time, and of course visits to RAFG were essential for picking up cheap booze and cigarettes in those days! I'm pretty sure that ASW Shacks also did Germany visits in earlier years, as did the Nimrods that replaced them.

Amazing work John. Remembering your previous comments I never expected to see these!

What a beautiful model, John!