Avro 696  Shackleton  VW126

                                 

                                    This, the prototype Shackleton, first flew on 9 March 1949.    The aircraft was basically a long range
                                    reconnaissance version of the Lincoln.    The design was very successful and underwent a series of
                                    refinements and enhancements over the years.  Eventually the type (or at least in the form of the
                                    follow-on Avro Type 716) went on to become a significant part of the UK's Airborne Early Warning
                                    force.  Due to the disastrous Nimrod AEW replacement program this old workhorse was forced to
                                    fly on until the introduction of the E-3 Sentry in the early 1990s.