ID Required – is this a Valetta & Shack? If so which?

Have just found the photo in question. Here it is.

Also, looking through Airliners.net, it seems that the Varsity at Brooklands is being prepped for a finish in this style. Click on the link for photo:

http://www.airliners.net/open.file/750566/M/

BR

Laurie.

I stand corrected, it is indeed a Varsity. What ‘threw’ me was the cheatline, as very few Varsities were painted with this, but many Valettas were.
I think only the Central Flying School Varsities had this ‘Transport Command’ style cheatline.

Albert,

The cheat line threw me at first as well. I then found a photo of a Varsity from 5 FTS at Oakington with the same style cheat line.

I’ll see if I can find it again and post it.

BR,

Laurie.

Is it not a Varsity? as the forward fuselage looks a bit long for the a tail sitting Valetta..

A225HVY

I stand corrected, it is indeed a Varsity. What ‘threw’ me was the cheatline, as very few Varsities were painted with this, but many Valettas were.
I think only the Central Flying School Varsities had this ‘Transport Command’ style cheatline.

I was around Finningley 1976-78, and was there the day the Varsity was officially retired…..can’t be precise, but I would put about Easter 1977. What I can remember clearly is the rather spectacular farewell display…..the crew did not appear to be too concerned about over-stressing the machine!

I was also at Finningley then working in Ops and the Royal review planning team remember that flight also…..Also got on the last Varsity flights into a very wintry Gatow with a three ship if my mermory serves me correct. (got some pictures somwhere will try to dig them out!!

A225HVY

Shackleton ?

Originally posted these photo’s in the Scrapyard thread but without success, so is there anyone out there that can provide a positive ID with location for these two airframes?

I’m sure the first is a Valetta, photo was taken 21 July 1968 and I’m pretty sure the second is a Shackleton, photo taken 28 June 1969 but again don’t know where…

Anyone got any idea’s for serial and location? Would help my records thanks.

Certainly a Shack and I believe a Mk1 with the remains of it’s front turret!
I was at Kinloss 56/58 when we were converting Mk1s to Mk4s, which converted them mainly by the removal of the turrets. So I had the opportunity of seeing both sides of the conversion.

Mike. Isle of Man.

Does anyone know which was the last Varsity at Finningley? I only ever saw the one, and it was in deep maintenance throughout my entire stay there (about 6 months) in the Engineering hanger in late 1973/4.

I was around Finningley 1976-78, and was there the day the Varsity was officially retired…..can’t be precise, but I would put about Easter 1977. What I can remember clearly is the rather spectacular farewell display…..the crew did not appear to be too concerned about over-stressing the machine!

Varsity (Flying Pig as we knew it at Finningley) was my first throught too, but I wouldn’t want to commit myself as I don’t consider myself an expert in aircraft recognition.

Does anyone know which was the last Varsity at Finningley? I only ever saw the one, and it was in deep maintenance throughout my entire stay there (about 6 months) in the Engineering hanger in late 1973/4.

Is it not a Varsity? as the forward fuselage looks a bit long for the a tail sitting Valetta..

A225HVY

I tend to agree with A225HVY that this is a Varsity rather than a Valetta. Not only is the forward fuselage a little long, it also appears deeper than the Valetta. There are several other pointers in the direction of the Varsity in the photo as well.

Firstly, the cockpit glazing is more reminiscent of the Varsity. The last window aperture in the Valletta was normally more square than that in the photo

Secondly. the intakes above the engine cowlings are also more in the style of the Varsity than the Valetta. On the Valetta, these intakes were not as broad, they were more rounded and also set further back on the cowlings.

Lastly, looking at the wings of the aircraft in the photo, around one third distance in from the tips, there are some strakes/fences running back across the wing. In the photos that I have of these 2 aeroplanes, only the Varsity has these.

Can’t help regarding location though.

BR,

Laurie.

Your wish is my command, from W&R3,
plenty of Valettas but a lack of shacks

Catterick Valettas VX546, WJ468
Kinloss Shack T4 WB846
Little Rislington Valetta WJ487
Manby Valetta VW821
Marham Valetta VW188
Oakington Valetta WG260
St Mawgan Shacks WB820,WB831,WG511
Scampton Valetta WJ477
Strubby Valetta WD168
Valley Valetta WJ479

Some other Shack T4 details from the net
VP258 to CAA school Stansted 68,
WB819 as above
WB820,WB831 both to St Mawgan dump 67
WB847 to Kinloss dump 3/69

Is it not a Varsity? as the forward fuselage looks a bit long for the a tail sitting Valetta..

A225HVY

Guess they could be at Catterick, as that was the RAF’s Fire School? Definately a Valetta and a Shackleton T.4

Thanks Albert, I’m hoping someone will have a look at Wrecks & Relics 3 and look up Valetta and Shackleton. As edition 3 was published in May 1968 it may give an idea as to where and which aircraft these are.

I’ve got a full set of W&R except issue 3!!! If anyone has one for sale let me know!!! 🙂

Guess they could be at Catterick, as that was the RAF’s Fire School? Definately a Valetta and a Shackleton T.4

Yes it’s difficult! Great photo’s by the way Robert. With regards to mine I was hoping at least someone would recognise the location, that way it would be easier to find out the s/n given I know the dates.

Comparing the Shackleton in my photo against yours I’d say it looks like it had a radome fitted on the front of it (instead of the observation glass) so this may help jog peoples memory’s, perhaps it was an old A&AEE aircraft?

Will be interesting to see if anyone comes up with an ID.

Its difficult to tell one burnt Shack from another. One of these is WB846 at Kinloss in 1966 before it was burnt.