Author Topic: Avro Shackleton`s in Cyprus  (Read 900 times)

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Offline Angry Turnip

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Avro Shackleton`s in Cyprus
« on: May 04, 2023, 12:46:22 PM »
Just returned from Cyprus after a holiday, and the pair of Avro Shackelton`s are still at Paphos, rotting away, both have trees growing up through the fuselage. Such a sad sight.

WL747 and WL757 are the regs.

Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - Avro Shackleton AEW.2, s/n WL747 RAF, c/n R3/696/239005

Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - Avro Shackleton AEW.2, s/n WL757 RAF
« Last Edit: May 04, 2023, 04:00:14 PM by Angry Turnip »

Offline rookie

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Re: Avro Shackleton`s in Cyprus
« Reply #1 on: May 05, 2023, 08:59:11 AM »
Reading up a little info on the pair WL747 seems to have been based at Ballykelly at some point of its life and to tie in with this weekend she took part in the 1953 coronation review. WL757 I can only really find info for her being based in Malta and a bit of history for engine trouble. Would WL 747 not be of interest to UAS but its a big but it would be astronomical financially to get it back to Long Kesh I'd say. But from reading else where they are privately owned with the owner supposedly trying to open an air museum but it's been reported that Paphos airport haven't had much well no contact with the owner for a long time. So I'm wondering has he passed and thr family know nothing of the aircraft? But its a sin to see them lying rotting away but the climate in Cyprus may help preserve them that little longer.

Offline Angry Turnip

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Re: Avro Shackleton`s in Cyprus
« Reply #2 on: May 05, 2023, 02:14:53 PM »
Yeah, what you have said is pretty much what is known about the aircraft, and there is also a French Dassault MD-303 Flamant F-AZEN along side the Shacks.

All three aircraft were owned by Savvas Constantinides, Unfortunately he could not raise sufficient funds to set up his museum and with the three aircraft running up ground rent with the airport, the Cyprus Aviation Authority assumed the ownership of the planes and did nothing with them. Originally,they were parked up where the new airport terminal is now.
When the new airport terminal was constructed, and with the aid of personnel from RAF Akroitiri, the planes were moved to the west side of the airport, and parked just inside the perimeter fence.

WL747 was named " Florence " from The Magic Roundabout TV Show, and WL757 was named " Brian ", again from The Magic Roundabout. 8Sqn RAF Shacks were named after characters from the Herbs and The Magic Roundabout.  ;D

Avro Shackleton AEW.2 WL747 'Florence' of 8 Sqd displays at Woodford Air Show 22nd June 1991 - YouTube
« Last Edit: May 05, 2023, 02:15:29 PM by Angry Turnip »

Offline Dr Draken

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Re: Avro Shackleton`s in Cyprus
« Reply #3 on: June 12, 2023, 10:53:21 PM »
Would WL 747 not be of interest to UAS but its a big but it would be astronomical financially to get it back to Long Kesh I'd say.

When the concept of the UAS having an aviation museum in Newtownards was mooted back in the late 80's, flying a Shackleton in was one of the suggestions.
Pity they missed the opportunity of the Catalina at Weston, Scrapped 10 year sago  :(