Shackleton MR2 Pilots panel photo required.

The original fit of Rad Alt on all Shacks was Rad Alt Mk5.
This had an indicator, height selector and the three “traffic” lights to indicate postiton relative to the selected height. (These can clearly be seen on the panel, lower right) Having been the “Rad Alt 5” expert for a while at St.M I can tell you that it was inaccurate and very unreliable! A number of new fits were tried, some retaining the traffic lights, the MKIII finally had the superb Honeywell version that went on to be fitted in a number of airframes. (The Nimrod had a dual fit). It was so accurate that you could see the difference when the aircraft was jacked up.

I think they went to the mid grey by Phase III (judging by photos), probably in line with the Shack MR.3s.

MK 2 panels

MK2 panels were matt black,at least they were when I left BKY in Sept 1961!!

Comic timing Rich!
Nice scans, certainly answer the question nicely, interesting topic.

That sounds right Peter, the radio altimeter instrument has the setting control built in.

I’m sure I’ve an original pic of an MR.2 cockpit which shows an older dial type rad alt controller fitted, ie the type with a central selector knob with the desired heights arranged radialy around it, found on many British aircraft of the time. Because of that at a glance it looked like there were six instruments fitted in that position.

Worth remembering that the bits fitted often depended on the aircraft’s mod state as much as the actual mark.

Scans from AP101B-1702-1B1. This is the MR2 pilots panel illustration, and the key.

Scans from AP101B-1705-15. This is the AEW2 panel illustration and key.

Sorry for the wait, the computer is not happy tonight!

Regards,

Rich

The MKIII has a different Rad Alt, hence the controller is only on the MKII.
The two instruments on the right of the panel are the Rad Alt indicator and the Zero Reader controller.

On the MKIII the Rad Alt indicator is a square unit with the limit control as a part of the indicator. It has a small white triangle that is moved around to the limit desired.

The other instrument is the Zero Reader controller. This is fitted to the MKIII but is located on the top coaming on the co-pilots side.

Thanks for the photos it clears it all up. The MK3’s at Gatwick and Newark dont have the control box or some of the instruments on the right of the panel.

A quick look at the AP’s suggests the major instruments are the same, with a few differences for the radio altimeter and Violet Picture indicators on the AEW2.

I’ll try and get some scans of the AP’s up in a short while.

Regards,

Rich

The MR.3 doesn’t have a control box fitted into the panel, but the rad. alt. instrument is, again this could be assumption but that could indicate that the MR.2 didn’t have it there either.

Having major connection issues here, but here’s pics of WL795s centre panel

Shackleton WL795 pilots panel by jamtey71, on Flickr

Shackleton WL795 pilots panel by jamtey71, on Flickr

Link to my internal and general shots of WL795 flickr album here, http://www.flickr.com/photos/56270329@N08/sets/72157628305057591/with/6465856105/

WR963s panel,

WR963 pilots panel by jamtey71, on Flickr

The box looks like a radio altimeter controller to me.

Obviously that is an AEW.2 centre panel, I wouldn’t know if there are any, or what the differences would be between MR & AEW.2 panels.
The PNs/APs should confirm.

Purely assumption on my behalf, I have an MR2 AP that was my Dads, but can I find the darned thing 😮

Thanks for those links i had not realised the AEW2 was the same.
Regards
Graham

good pic here http://www.flickr.com/photos/neillanwarne/5662688962/lightbox/

another good one here

http://www.flickr.com/photos/14336807@N05/5524244630/