Twin engine Avro Shackleton

[kitnut617]

To drift the thread even further, did anyone ever kit the Mercator? It's a pretty impressive looking aeroplane.

Combat Models -- but what scale do you want to build it in - it's done in 1/32, 1/48 or 1/72

Other 1/72 kits - Esoteric & O'Neill

[PR19_Kit]

A 1/32 scale Mercator?  

That has a bigger wingspan than a 1/72 B-36!!!  

I'm amazed there's so many, I've never seen one modelled in any scale, but I'd like to.

[Later] Apparently Nostalgic Plastic did one in 1/72, moulded in resin by Anigrand. See here for a review (appalling web page BTW  ) http://www.cybermodeler.com/hobby/kits/np/kit_np_72002.shtml

[famvburg]

Combat's 1/32 Merc must be very new, I never saw it listed. Also, the old Sutcliffe Lincoln comes up on eBay sometimes, that is where I got my 2 over the years.

[kitnut617]

I was just going by what the 'Big Book' has listed.  And I can't check the Combat website at the moment because it says they're having some issues.

[McColm]

The 1/72 Merc would make an interesting alternative to the P-3 Orion. I can see an AEW & C for a future build.
A bi-plane version of the Avro Shackleton would make sense as the engines could be placed over the lower wings. With struts and convincing wiring. To give a 1920-1930s feel. This would slot into my idea of an airliner/ cargo version. The weapons bay as a streamliner luggage container.
A bomber version with front, upper and rear turrets or side blisters.

[Captain Canada]

I'd like to see a Mercator in 144th and 72nd. Cool aeroplane.

[famvburg]

Look at Anigrand for the 1/144 one. There was some talk about their 1/72 version with Rare-Plane Detective being re-released.

[Captain Canada]

Off to look.....

[McColm]

Trying to get back onto the original thread. Whatif the twin engine Shackleton had a single vertical tail fin instead of the twin tail, square wingtips, flat nose (no upper observation front window) and had RR-Darts or Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6 turbo props. These can be purchased from Heritage Aviation Models Limited.
The idea comes from a company called "Conroy" who converted a few DC-3s. First the Conroy turbo three using a pair of Rolls-Royce Dart engines and the Conroy tri-turbo-three with the Pratt & Whitney Canada PT-6.
An Artic Shack with a pair of skis , underwing long-range drop tanks, large side cargo door, with a single vertical tail fin (squared off, so as the wings, radar housed in the nose). Speedpack in the weapons bay.

Another idea for the four engine beast is a tanker for refueling helicopters. Hose and drogue under the wings with one attached to the bomb bay which is converted into a long-range fuel tank. Refueling itself or helicopters. RR Griffons kept. New paint scheme.

Or Night Fighter, extra cannons in nose, extra gun turret to upper or lower fuselage, turret at the rear.

Or Target Tugs- black and yellow diagonal banding.

Or Special Operations. David J.Parkins- FlightPath Range (metal & resin conversions)  has the Fulton STAR recovery gear and mounted AN/ARD-17 (vacform) Aerial Tracker Radome usually found on the HC-130H/HC-130P. Could be utilized on the Shackleton.
Along with the MC-130E Combat Talon I set.
The Talon II/III sets have a different nose, not too sure if this would fit the Shackleton.

[jcf]

Trying to get back onto the original thread. Whatif the twin engine Shackleton had a single vertical tail fin instead of the twin tail, square wingtips, flat nose (no upper observation front window) and had RR-Darts or Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6 turbo props. These can be purchased from Heritage Aviation Models Limited.
The idea comes from a company called "Conroy" who converted a few DC-3s. First the Conroy turbo three using a pair of Rolls-Royce Dart engines and the Conroy tri-turbo-three with the Pratt & Whitney Canada PT-6.
An Artic Shack with a pair of skis , underwing long-range drop tanks, large side cargo door, with a single vertical tail fin (squared off, so as the wings, radar housed in the nose). Speedpack in the weapons bay.

Another idea for the four engine beast is a tanker for refueling helicopters. Hose and drogue under the wings with one attached to the bomb bay which is converted into a long-range fuel tank. Refueling itself or helicopters. RR Griffons kept. New paint scheme.

Or Night Fighter, extra cannons in nose, extra gun turret to upper or lower fuselage, turret at the rear.

Or Target Tugs- black and yellow diagonal banding.

Or Special Operations. David J.Parkins- FlightPath Range (metal & resin conversions)  has the Fulton STAR recovery gear and mounted AN/ARD-17 (vacform) Aerial Tracker Radome usually found on the HC-130H/HC-130P. Could be utilized on the Shackleton.
Along with the MC-130E Combat Talon I set.
The Talon II/III sets have a different nose, not too sure if this would fit the Shackleton.

Take a look at the Centaurus powered Avro 679 (Manchester) proposal for a start on a possible appearance.
http://www.whatifmodelers.com/index.php/topic,18854.msg441048.html#msg441048

[pyro-manic]

I really rather like the sound of a single finned Land/Linc/Shack, I must say. Take the fin design from the Tudor, perhaps?

[McColm]

With the single fin, I have to agree that the twin Shack would look similar to the B-26, but on the other hand the twin finned version would look like the B-25.
Perhaps Could swap over the wings, from the twin engines to four engines as some of the drawings suggests-Whiffs but not built in the real world.

[Thorvic]

Avro 745

[PR19_Kit]

What's happened to the paint on that? It looks pretty much like the 'crazy paving' on my Canberra MR23!

[McColm]

Avro 745

I wonder if I could use the Revell Atlantic wings and engines, Shackleton fuselage and cut the front observer/gunners window to make a smooth nose, C-160 vertical tail and tail elevators. Looks like the MkII cockpit glazing off the Shack-Falcon vacform replacement or MkIII painted white.
Or even use Dart engines from Heritage Aviation Models Limited resin range or even use the engines from the C-160. Saves buying another Atlantic as the prices are starting to rise again!