In simple terms, the Shackleton is a direct evolution, as was the Lancaster, from the Manchester design. There are several drawings that are common across all of them, and you’ll find Manchester spars and nose ribs in the horizontal surfaces of the tailplane, and the drawings refer to them as parts that will fit anything from “Manchester 33ft tailplane” right the way through. Similarly the spar booms are Lancaster drawings and only really the fuselage and tail fins are a mostly new design. Cockpit side windows and windscreens are straight out of the Lancaster.
The wing – the dimensions don’t change, as again its an evolution. The distance between engine centres is identical on the centre section at 23 ft 9 in, and 13 ft 3 in between inboards and outboards. The wing section is the same too. The dihedral changes from Lancaster to Lincoln (which was originally the Lancaster B.IV) and the span is increased by the extended tip section to 120 feet from the original 102 feet. The intermediate section was modified to use bag fuel tanks intead of the metal versions.
The Lincoln GR (later renamed Shackleton) inherited the same wing, as did the Tudor. The wing is roughly modified; this can be seen in the inboard flap area, its built as a full length flap but is split into two sections as the extension of the nacelle doesn’t fold with the flap any more. The last iteration is the Avro Type 733, and I was astounded to find these draings in the Shackleton archive at Coventry. This is the modification of the Shackleton MR3 wing for use on the AW Argosy. Depending on what you want to class as the heart of the aircraft; I’d class it as part of the family – even if its only a cousin.
When you look at the wing design, and its evolutions, its an impressive list.
Manchester
Lancaster
York
Lancastrian
Lincoln
Tudor
Ashton
Shackleton
Argosy
Not a bad run, all in all.
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