Amazing – anyone care to post a potted history of SA Shackletons for the ignorant – there seem to be, or have been, plenty of them?

These things become legendary after a while and it becomes difficult to separate myth and fact. All that said, I’m with you Dave – it is a great story and of course being a Kiwi gnome I’m in total agreement with you 😉

I’m also wondering (not necessarily supported by facts here) whether this is a relatively under-storied part of the war. There are plenty of stories about the Allies’ shall we say “successes” (BoB, Bismark and assorted other brave naval or merchant marine stuff), RAF and USAAF bomber crews, North Africa, spying and the resistance etc.). But (I think, may be my own biases over time) not a lot of attention on the time when everything was going Germany’s way – and the Allies were fighting a losing rearguard action. I can only think of that Spitfire squadron in France TV series (were there Spitfires in France 1940?). That losing/rearguard feel would be another perspective to add to what you note above.

It could be a great drama indeed.

Thanks for that Dave, my memory of the P47 was that it was as you say – a mouldy old thing – very tatty.
And the deal you describe (or anyway the outcome) does indeed sound like a win all round. Excellent stuff.
I also remember years ago (I lived in Westmere in the 80’s, a stones throw for MOTAT) some guys fired up 3 of the Lancs engines. It was a once-only thing, but very impressive for the handful of us standing around.
cheers Dave, Don

I apparently can’t read…

Chuckle … nice one Dave … 😉

JDK – we moved earlier this year from MEL to WLG. You can request stowage (of your said container) inside the ship rather than stacked on top. Ask about it.

Perhaps I shall see you in MEL in March (F1GP) – raise a glass to something or other?

Love that 4 engine beastie. Breguet 730 you say? Commercial airliner?

Indeed — I’m sure a certain publican would appreciate a hand with his “prize”

Paint it pink – the P40’s just hanging on a thread these days.