Avro Shackleton Union Jack Rocks Glass

Sale price$10.99 USD Regular price$14.99 USD
Save $4.00 USD

Tax excluded.



The Avro Shackleton was a British long-range maritime patrol aircraft developed from the Avro Lincoln bomber, itself a derivative of the famous Lancaster. It first flew on 9 March 1949 and entered RAF service in 1951 with No. 120 Squadron. Designed for anti-submarine warfare (ASW), convoy escort, and search-and-rescue, the Shackleton became a workhorse of the Cold War.

A total of 185 aircraft were built across four major variants (MR.1 to AEW.2). It was powered by four Rolls-Royce Griffon piston engines, giving it a distinctive, deep engine note. With long endurance and a crew of up to 10, it could remain airborne for over 14 hours.

The Shackleton served with Coastal Command, later RAF Strike Command, and was equipped with radar, sonobuoys, and nuclear depth charges. From the 1970s, it was adapted for the Airborne Early Warning (AEW) role after the retirement of the Fairey Gannet, filling a crucial gap until the E-3 Sentry entered service.

The Shackleton remained in frontline service until 1991, making it one of the RAF’s longest-serving piston-powered aircraft. Although it saw no combat kills, it played a critical role in maritime surveillance, Cold War deterrence, and later, airborne radar picket duties over the North Sea.