Hi

I have two Questions

1. Does anybody know where I can get plans for the Avro Shackleton Mk3. I have scanned the web but cannot find a plan for this model anywhere

2. What does the term 'feathering' mean. I often come across the term 'feathering the engine' when reading about classic post WW2 full size planes. I'm curious as to what it means.

Thanks
Blixsim

"Feathering" actually happens to the prop even though, as you say, the phrase is often used in conjunction with the engine itself. In short, when an engine fails and is shut-down, the pitch of the prop is changed so that the leading edge of the prop blade is facing directly into the airsteam. By doing this the prop is not forced to "windmill" ie blown round by the airflow. This reduces drag from the dead engine and also reduces the chance of damage to the reduction gear and the engine itself.
As an aside, when turboprops are shutdown on the ground, the props are frequently feathered - applies a braking effect to the prop and also stops it being blown around by the wind. Turboprops are fairly freewheeling since there is none of the cylinder compression resistance that you would get from a piston engine.
hope this helps - sorry, it was longer than anticipated!
Good luck with the Shack plans - one of my favourites (Dad did a tour on them in Malta back in the '50s) Let me know how you get on.
cheers
Rick

This photo will help:



Here is another:

http://www.ossipeeaviation.50megs.co...red%20Prop.JPG

If I remember correctly....and I may not be...the Shackleton was based on a Lancaster airframe? What about "adapting" a Lanc....if you can find one of those!

Gow589....looks like a Herc?

Spad... you're right...many turboprops feather when they shut down....but some stop in flat pitch as well... the Hercules and Orion both do(mind you they use the same engine...)

Thanks Guys

The Shack as far as I'm aware was only used by RAF and SAAF hence not really popular as a subject for a model. I remember as a kid seeing them doing Reconnaissance overhead on a daily basis. Those 4 counter rotating rolls royce griffon engines just have to be heard. Theres nothing like it. Now there is only one flying plane, P1722, left in the world. I have a passion for, in my opinion, the most beautiful plane ever created. I could of course go down to the local air base down the road and take some pics but how do I convert these to building plans. Is there anywhere I could get a copy of the original plan which I could then modify for model building.

thanks
Blixsim

How about this... I did a search on Altavista for "shackleton avro". It came back with links to a group at RAF St Mawgans who are restoring the Shackleton at the gate and a link to a SAAF group who are restoring one as well. You migh try contacting one of those groups to see if they can point you in the direction of a set of plans....alternatively, you could try contacting British Aerospace(who bought out Hawker-Siddeley who had in turn bought out Avro?) and see if they have any info for you...

This might help too....http://www.airpictorial.com/pages/ai...nsservice.html

Good luck
Edit:Add link

Thanks

Will look into this

regards
Blixsim

Blixsim
try this link:
http://www.home.aone.net.au/shack_one/

By the way,did you know that an ex RAF AEW2 is operating on the airshow circuit in the USA?
It was one of 2 taken-on by Air Atlantique of Coventry in the UK but due to CAA regs it is not allowed to operate in the UK - it's a disgrace but it's not even allowed to come to the UK for display under the American registration!
Anyway, it means that the SAAF's 7121(?) is not alone.
Believe me, I'd love to see one fly again - I was at the IAT at Fairford waiting to see the Mk3 from SA when the news broke that it had crashed en-route - gutted or what!?!
One day..........

Yep, I was fortunate to see the P1722 fly 2 weekends ago. those rolls royce engines man-o-man. Means you will have to visit SA then.

I have a plan for a Shackleton, abit old as it was published in the Aeromodler a number of years ago for C/L powered by 4 15s. would be OK as a basis for enlargement if your interested. My contact is [email protected] Asfor feathering,it means that the prop blades are turned so they face edge on to the air,so as to create less drag to the airflow.

http://users.bigpond.net.au/Shackleton/

Of course you have probably seen the line drawings on this site and want something more detailed, but I thought I'd mention them anyway.

I grew up in Northern Ireland and the Shackletons which were stationed at Ballykelly used to train right over our farm, in fact they used one of our fields as a target area, and used to fly over our house at very low level, then do a steep left bank, - the Mark 3 version was quite maneuverable, with vapour trails (vortex) coming from the wingtips as it turned ( no doubt caused by our moist air!.

We had all three versions of the Shackleton flying around our place, plus the odd Lancaster visiting from Canada, also the Lockheed Neptune made an appearance probably also from Canada.

The constant growling noise of the Griffon engines on the Shackleton was part of my early life, and I thought that it was normal part of life everywhere!

I believe that the planes that I watched would have been the same ones you watched, as I had heard that they were all sold to South Africa. - Please correct me if I'm wrong.

EDIT - sorry, I duplicated someone elses contribution in my haste! .

Someone mentioned that the Shackleton was based on the Lancaster airframe, - I think the Lincoln was derived from the Lancaster, and the Shackleton was loosely based on the Lincoln.