The next book I am doing in Grub Street’s ‘Boys’ series will be ‘Shackleton Boys’ which is planned for publication in 2018. As with all the other titles in the series, the book will be mostly comprised of first-hand accounts from air and ground crew who flew in or worked on the Shack at any time during its long and illustrious service life.
I am already in contact with quite a few ‘Shackleton Boys’, but now the call is going out for as many more as possible who are willing to share their memories and anecdotes. No matter how long or short your association with the type was, I would love to talk to you about it.
So please get in touch – I look forward to hearing from you.
Thank you
Steve Bond
By: Steve Bond - 12th September 2017 at 10:13
‘Shackleton Boys’ volume 1 will be launched on 1st and 2nd September 2018 at the Newark Air Museum. All are welcome!
By: Steve Bond - 12th June 2017 at 09:47
LAST CALL FOR NEW CONTRIBUTORS!
Thanks to the tremendous response to calls for Shackleton stories, there will now be two volumes of ‘Shackleton Boys’, with the first planned for publication in the late summer of 2018. There is still time for new contributions, so if you have been thinking about getting in touch, please do it!
Thanks to all who have helped out so far.
Steve
By: bravo533 - 11th March 2017 at 10:58
Steve
As a member of Southampton UAS 1975-77 I was very much influenced by the Shackleton. The Squadron CO Keith Jarvis was an ex Shackleton pilot and I was sent on my first ever solo in the Bulldog by Mike Coldrey also ex Shackleton pilot. The Squadron bar frequently rang out to the raucous singing of the “Shackleton Song” to the tune of “bless em all”. I can still recall the lyrics, pm me Steve if you want them !
By: Steve Bond - 9th March 2017 at 10:05
John, please get in touch.
Thanks to everyone who has contacted me, it has now been decided that ‘Shackleton Boys’ will go to two volumes! Great stories coming in, but still plenty of room for more, so please don’t be shy!
By: Arabella-Cox - 25th February 2017 at 10:23
I served over 3 years with 201 Sqn St. Mawgan MR3’s as an engine fitter
By: Steve Bond - 20th February 2017 at 19:54
Thanks Blue_2, private message sent to him.
By: Blue_2 - 20th February 2017 at 19:33
Seek Richw_82 on this very forum Steve…
By: Steve Bond - 20th February 2017 at 18:55
Does anyone have contacts with the Shackleton group at Baginton please?
By: Steve Bond - 16th February 2017 at 08:16
Many thanks Peter, private message sent.
By: Peter Mills - 16th February 2017 at 06:59
At Gatwick Aviation Museum we have two ex aircrew who man our Shackleton when we are open, one Pilot (ex OC ASWDU) and one Navigator. I’ll point this thread in their direction, I’m also ex Shack ground crew (Radar).
pm
By: Steve Bond - 15th February 2017 at 16:16
Thanks again, much appreciated.
By: TwinOtter23 - 15th February 2017 at 12:21
When I see him next I will flag up your research project.
By: Steve Bond - 15th February 2017 at 11:03
Thanks TwinOtter23, I will try to make it there (I am a member of the Shackleton Association). I would like to make contact with your ex.42 Sqn chap too please.
By: Steve Bond - 15th February 2017 at 11:02
Many thanks everyone. Private Messages sent.
By: Arabella-Cox - 15th February 2017 at 10:22
I have got 4 – 6 colour photos of Shackletons in formation that my father took when crossing the ‘Pond’.
Let me know if you are interested in using them.
By: TwinOtter23 - 15th February 2017 at 08:24
What timeframe are you working to?
NAM has a Shackleton/Hastings Anniversary event on 20/21 May, 2017 and I understand that the Shackleton Association may be attending along with some Shackleton veterans, so that might give you an opportunity to talk to a few people in one go.
Plus at least one of the aircraft openers @ NAM is ex-Shackelton on 42 Squadron; I’ve interviewed him before for NAM’s own Shackleton books and a couple of articles in the aviation press. He’s overseas at present but should be back soon.
By: Arabella-Cox - 15th February 2017 at 07:53
Can’t help you with much personal stuff or many tales.
My father flew Shacks from Gib in 224 Squadron between 1956 and 1958.
Apart from a goodwill visit to South America and that he flew a Shack pretending it was a Lanc for the film “Silent Enemy” I haven’t got any stories from those days.
I can remember the Shack crashing on the runway during the BoB display in 1957 as I was standing just behind the barrier as it slid past.
I have his logbooks if you need them for any details.
By: wl745 - 15th February 2017 at 01:27
Well,it was along time ago(1959/61)!!I was on RAF Ballykelly for almost two years on 204 sqdn and enjoyed every minute of it! It felt like the real air force!!Coastal I mean!I have a few anecdotes you can have ,have you tried the association?The magazine has many stories which they may allow you to use?
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February 14, 2017 at 8:31 pm