Was the Shackleton MR.3 ever based in Singapore?
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Was the Shackleton MR.3 ever based in Singapore?
Saw a photo in Aviation Photo Company website of a Shackleton MR.3 with the caption that it belonged to 205 Sqn based at RAF Changi in 1966. (Could not post the URL link as I have just started posting online here).
I'd checked 205 Sqn's history and the squadron was disbanded in 1971 with Shackleton MR.2s.
Am I missing something here?
I'd checked 205 Sqn's history and the squadron was disbanded in 1971 with Shackleton MR.2s.
Am I missing something here?
Short answer - No
Occasional visits from UK based Mk 3's on round the world tours or maybe just lost! Having looked at the photos in question looks like a visit from 120 Sqn (only 44 hours approx each way - I speak from experience).
Occasional visits from UK based Mk 3's on round the world tours or maybe just lost! Having looked at the photos in question looks like a visit from 120 Sqn (only 44 hours approx each way - I speak from experience).
Last edited by Shackman; 5th Jun 2019 at 12:12.
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Thanks Shackman.
I should have posted the caption of the photo in question in my original post. Here it is:
"RAF 205 Squadron Avro Shackleton MR.3 XF703/C at RAF Changi (1966)"
Googled XF703 and this is what I got from "The Avro Shackleton" website.
A/Cn 3.10.58 and delivered to 23MU 8.10.58. Issued to Ballykelly 12.58 and transferred to 203 Sqn 1.59. To 49MU 1.60 for Phase I modification by Avro CWP, completed 4.60. Delivered to 120 Sqn 5.60 as F, but transferred to 203 Sqn 5.61 and coded L. Phase II update commenced 11.61 and completed 4.62 when XF703 was issued to 206 Sqn and coded D. Allotted to HSA 3.63 for Phase III modernization, completed 12.64, when reissued to 206 Sqn as R. Loaned to HSA 1.65 - 2.65 and transferred to 201 Sqn 3.66 coded O. To Kinloss Wing 2.67 until allocated to HSA Woodford 4.67 for Viper installation, completed 9.67. Returned to Kinloss and recoded P. To the A&AEE Boscombe Down 2.8.68 for installation and flight trials of radio altimeters ATN-71 and STR40A. The trials were quickly completed and XF703 returned to Kinloss 13.8.68. To HSA 8.69 - 10.69 and 12.69 - 4.70 for mods and in 6.70 transferred from Kinloss to St Mawgan and coded D with 42 Sqn. To HSA Bitteswell 2.70 - 8.70 for mods, the aircraft being recoded 1 on return to 42 Sqn. The last Mk 3 in No.18 Group service, XF703 was flown to Henlow 23.9.71 for preservation by the RAF Museum.
It says here that XF703 was issued to 201 Sqn in 1966 and coded 'O', but the photo shows its coded 'C'. Wonder whether there is error in the above records, or its just not complete.
Thanks again for the confirmation that 205 Sqn did not operate MR.3s.
I should have posted the caption of the photo in question in my original post. Here it is:
"RAF 205 Squadron Avro Shackleton MR.3 XF703/C at RAF Changi (1966)"
Googled XF703 and this is what I got from "The Avro Shackleton" website.
A/Cn 3.10.58 and delivered to 23MU 8.10.58. Issued to Ballykelly 12.58 and transferred to 203 Sqn 1.59. To 49MU 1.60 for Phase I modification by Avro CWP, completed 4.60. Delivered to 120 Sqn 5.60 as F, but transferred to 203 Sqn 5.61 and coded L. Phase II update commenced 11.61 and completed 4.62 when XF703 was issued to 206 Sqn and coded D. Allotted to HSA 3.63 for Phase III modernization, completed 12.64, when reissued to 206 Sqn as R. Loaned to HSA 1.65 - 2.65 and transferred to 201 Sqn 3.66 coded O. To Kinloss Wing 2.67 until allocated to HSA Woodford 4.67 for Viper installation, completed 9.67. Returned to Kinloss and recoded P. To the A&AEE Boscombe Down 2.8.68 for installation and flight trials of radio altimeters ATN-71 and STR40A. The trials were quickly completed and XF703 returned to Kinloss 13.8.68. To HSA 8.69 - 10.69 and 12.69 - 4.70 for mods and in 6.70 transferred from Kinloss to St Mawgan and coded D with 42 Sqn. To HSA Bitteswell 2.70 - 8.70 for mods, the aircraft being recoded 1 on return to 42 Sqn. The last Mk 3 in No.18 Group service, XF703 was flown to Henlow 23.9.71 for preservation by the RAF Museum.
It says here that XF703 was issued to 201 Sqn in 1966 and coded 'O', but the photo shows its coded 'C'. Wonder whether there is error in the above records, or its just not complete.
Thanks again for the confirmation that 205 Sqn did not operate MR.3s.
