Thanks Chaps ... all good stuff ... much appreciated
I guess it goes to show how important the British Aircraft Industry was in our economic recovery post WII.
On paper two broadly similar platforms in terms of performance ...
Neptune Vmo 278 Kts, Op Range 1912 NM's - Shack Vmo 260 Kts, Op Range 1950 NM's.
It could be argued that the Neptune could have been more than a "stopgap" solution until the Shack entered service with the RAF. In pure financial terms buying "off the shelf fit for purpose" Neptunes would have been the cold hearted sensible option ... but yet the 188 Shaks built by Avro, along with other post war British aircraft designs, provided much needed employment.
If we discount the macro economic argument for a moment ... it would be really good to hear from anyone who has flown both types to get their perspective on both platforms.
It's interesting to speculate that had we gone down the Neptune route the RAF could well have taken the P-3 Orion for the maratime role. I know we then get in to the Nimrod debate following the commercial export failure of the Comet.
Best regards ... and Happy New Year !
Coff.