Difference between revisions of "Shackleton MR.Mk.2"

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== Description ==
 
== Description ==
 
<!-- ''In the description, the first part should be about the history of and the creation and combat usage of the aircraft, as well as its key features. In the second part, tell the reader about the aircraft in the game. Insert a screenshot of the vehicle, so that if the novice player does not remember the vehicle by name, he will immediately understand what kind of vehicle the article is talking about.'' -->
 
<!-- ''In the description, the first part should be about the history of and the creation and combat usage of the aircraft, as well as its key features. In the second part, tell the reader about the aircraft in the game. Insert a screenshot of the vehicle, so that if the novice player does not remember the vehicle by name, he will immediately understand what kind of vehicle the article is talking about.'' -->
 +
The '''Avro Shackleton''' is the final military version of the venerated [[Lancaster (Family)|Lancaster series of bombers]]. Developed in 1945 from the now-obsolete [[Lincoln B Mk II|Avro Lincoln]] as an anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and maritime patrol aircraft, the Shackleton featured more specialized armaments, such as a naval radar housed inside a distinctive "bulge" on the belly of the aircraft, removing the tail gunner position in favour of a flexible mount 20 mm Hispano Mk.V autocannons to strafe naval targets, and more efficient Rolls-Royce Griffon engines powering contra-rotating propellers.
  
−
The '''Avro Shackleton''' is the final military version of the venerated [[Lancaster (Family)|Lancaster series of bombers]]. Developed in 1945 from the now-obsolete [[Lincoln B Mk II|Avro Lincoln]] as an anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and maritime patrol aircraft, the Shackleton features more specialized armaments, such as a naval radar housed inside a distinctive "bulge" on the belly of the aircraft (which currently serve no purposes in-game), removing the tail gunner position in favor of a flexible mount 20 mm Hispano Mk.V autocannons to strafe naval targets, and a more efficient Rolls-Royce Griffin engines powering contra-rotating propellers.
+
Introduced in [[Update "Direct Hit"]], the {{Specs|name}} can be best described as a "quirky" version of the [[Lincoln B Mk II]], with overall better mobility and payload, but worse defensive coverage and survivability. The plane has access to some of the most efficient payload available, being capable of taking out 3 bases with the top payload. Due to the powerful Griffon engines, the Shackleton can be played either as a traditional long range bomber by using its decent climb rate or as a fast bomber using its high WEP power.
−
 
 
−
Introduced in [[Update "Direct Hit"]]. The '''{{Specs|name}}''' can be best described as a "quirky" version of the [[Lincoln B Mk II]], with overall better mobility and payload, but worse defensive coverage and survivabilty. The plane has an access to some of the most efficient payload available, being capable of taking out 3 bases with the top payload. Due to the powerful Griffon engines, the Shackleton can be played either as a traditional long range bomber by using its decent climb rate or as a fast bomber using its high WEP power.
 
  
 
== General info ==
 
== General info ==
Line 16: Line 15:
 
<!-- ''Describe how the aircraft behaves in the air. Speed, manoeuvrability, acceleration and allowable loads - these are the most important characteristics of the vehicle.'' -->
 
<!-- ''Describe how the aircraft behaves in the air. Speed, manoeuvrability, acceleration and allowable loads - these are the most important characteristics of the vehicle.'' -->
  
−
As with the previous Lancaster family of bombers, the Shackleton has overall good flight performance. The plane is powered by four Rolls-Royce Griffon engines turning contra-rotating propellers, giving the Shackleton a very good thrust and acceleration for its weight, especially with WEP. The plane can also manoever quite well for its size, allowing the pilots to quickly turn the plane around to escape from the enemy, or to adjust the bomb sight for bombing targets.
+
As with the previous Lancaster family of bombers, the Shackleton has overall good flight performance. The plane is powered by four Rolls-Royce Griffon engines turning contra-rotating propellers, giving the Shackleton a very good thrust and acceleration for its weight, especially with WEP. The plane can also manoeuvre quite well for its size, allowing the pilots to quickly turn the plane around to escape from the enemy, or to adjust the bomb sight for bombing targets.
 +
 
 +
While the Shackleton has lower wing rip speed at 575 km/h IAS, the plane can retains its speed around 600-650 km/h in a dive quite well. This allows the Shackleton to be used as a fast bomber to dive at an enemy targets. However, a Shackleton pilot should avoid doing snap turns while the plane is at a speed above 500 km/h, as the wings can be easily overloaded and rips from the plane.
  
−
While the Shackleton has lower wing rip speed at 575 km/h IAS, the plane can retains its speed around 600-650 km/h in a dive quite well. This allows the Shackleton to be used as a fast bomber to dive at an enemy targets. Though a Shackleton pilot should avoid doing snap turns while the plane is at a speed above 500 km/h, as the wings can be easily overloaded and rips from the plane.
 
 
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="70%"
 
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="70%"
 
! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
 
! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
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<!-- ''Examine the survivability of the aircraft. Note how vulnerable the structure is and how secure the pilot is, whether the fuel tanks are armoured, etc. Describe the armour, if there is any, and also mention the vulnerability of other critical aircraft systems.'' -->
 
<!-- ''Examine the survivability of the aircraft. Note how vulnerable the structure is and how secure the pilot is, whether the fuel tanks are armoured, etc. Describe the armour, if there is any, and also mention the vulnerability of other critical aircraft systems.'' -->
  
−
The Shackleton has large wings where the fuel tank are located. There are two pilots and eight gunners in total, but only two use turrets, the top gunner and the nose gunner, if the top gunner is taken out the Shackleton becomes much easier to kill. There is only one steel armour plate of 8 mm covering the roof turret gunner. The overall structual stength of the Shackleton were mixed; the plane can endure some fire damage and can put them out using combinations of self-sealing fuel tanks and EFS, yet were incapable of taking many hits from autocannons, especially at the tail and wings.
+
The Shackleton has large wings where the fuel tank are located. There are two pilots and eight gunners in total, but only two use turrets, the top gunner and the nose gunner. If the top gunner is taken out, the Shackleton becomes much easier to kill. There is only one steel armour plate of 8 mm covering the roof turret gunner. The overall structural strength of the Shackleton were mixed; the plane can endure some fire damage and can put them out using combinations of self-sealing fuel tanks and EFS, yet were incapable of taking many hits from autocannons, especially at the tail and wings.
  
 
=== Modifications and economy ===
 
=== Modifications and economy ===
Line 101: Line 101:
 
While stock, the Shackleton has poor payload of 18 x 250 lb bombs, which is not enough destroy a single normal base and only sufficient to take one small base in frontline mode.
 
While stock, the Shackleton has poor payload of 18 x 250 lb bombs, which is not enough destroy a single normal base and only sufficient to take one small base in frontline mode.
  
−
However, the Shackleton can unlock the 25 x 500 lb payload at rank 2 modification, which actually outclassed the 14 x 1,000 lbs payload found on the Lancaster and Lincoln, due to the doubled explosive mass compared to the similar bomb from its predecessor, while being significantly lighter payload. 10 of these bombs can take out large base and 5 for small base, which means it can take out at least two and a half bases. The bomb's quantity and sizable explosive mass also makes it ideal for carpet bombings.
+
However, the Shackleton can unlock the 25 x 500 lb payload as a tier 2 modification, which actually outclasses the 14 x 1,000 lbs payload found on the Lancaster and Lincoln, due to double the explosive mass compared to the similar bomb of its predecessor, while being a significantly lighter payload. 10 of these bombs can take out a large base and 5 for small bases, which means it can take out at least two and a half bases. The bomb's quantity and sizeable explosive mass also makes it ideal for carpet bombings.
  
 
The 15 x 1,000 lb M.C. Mk.I loadout is ideal to destroy bases and airfields. Only 5 bombs are required to destroy normal bases and 3 to destroy weaker bases. A squad of 3 Shackletons is capable of destroying all bases and the airfield without landing on some maps. Given that most Air RB maps at its BR consist of respawning bases with a prevalence of attackers, you will rarely be able to drop all 15 bombs on bases without having to wait for at least 1 to respawn.
 
The 15 x 1,000 lb M.C. Mk.I loadout is ideal to destroy bases and airfields. Only 5 bombs are required to destroy normal bases and 3 to destroy weaker bases. A squad of 3 Shackletons is capable of destroying all bases and the airfield without landing on some maps. Given that most Air RB maps at its BR consist of respawning bases with a prevalence of attackers, you will rarely be able to drop all 15 bombs on bases without having to wait for at least 1 to respawn.
  
−
Due to the Shackleton's ASW roles, the plane has a peculiar choice of equipping eight RP-3 rockets on the wingtips. Due to the large wingspan and the size of the plane, the rockets are woefully inaccurate and are best not to equip it.
+
Due to the Shackleton's ASW roles, the plane has the peculiar choice of equipping eight RP-3 rockets on the wingtips. Due to the large wingspan and the size of the plane, the rockets are woefully inaccurate and are best not to equip it.
  
 
=== Defensive armament ===
 
=== Defensive armament ===
Line 117: Line 117:
 
* 2 x 20 mm Hispano Mk.V cannons, dorsal turret (350 rpg = 700 total)
 
* 2 x 20 mm Hispano Mk.V cannons, dorsal turret (350 rpg = 700 total)
  
−
The Shackleton has four 20 mm Hispano Mk.V autocannons, mounted in a pair of flexible mounts at the nose and a twin mount on ventral position as its defensive armaments. Compared to the Lincoln, the Shackleton's armament layout can be considered a downgrade due to the removal of tail turret, thus making it defenceless against any enemies coming from below.
+
The Shackleton has four 20 mm Hispano Mk.V autocannons, mounted in a pair of flexible mounts at the nose and a twin mount on ventral position, as its defensive armaments. Compared to the Lincoln, the Shackleton's armament layout can be considered a downgrade due to the removal of tail turret, thus making it defenceless against any enemies coming from below.
  
 
While the flexible nose guns were intended to be used to strafe at surface targets, it has very little use in-game due to it is treated as a defensive turret and are thus very hard to aim at ground targets. The gun also has limited horizontal traverse and are thus not useful against slow-flying AI-controlled planes in which the guns can be directed at them to shoot them down.
 
While the flexible nose guns were intended to be used to strafe at surface targets, it has very little use in-game due to it is treated as a defensive turret and are thus very hard to aim at ground targets. The gun also has limited horizontal traverse and are thus not useful against slow-flying AI-controlled planes in which the guns can be directed at them to shoot them down.
Line 123: Line 123:
 
This leaves the ventral twin turrets as the Shackleton's only "real" defensive armament. While the guns are quite accurate and hard-hitting, it only covers the upper part of the plane with blind spots at the rudder and directly behind the tail, thus forcing the pilot to pull the plane's nose up to get the guns on target. The turret can also be easily evaded by simply attacking from below, thus leaving the Shackleton with no way to fight back.
 
This leaves the ventral twin turrets as the Shackleton's only "real" defensive armament. While the guns are quite accurate and hard-hitting, it only covers the upper part of the plane with blind spots at the rudder and directly behind the tail, thus forcing the pilot to pull the plane's nose up to get the guns on target. The turret can also be easily evaded by simply attacking from below, thus leaving the Shackleton with no way to fight back.
  
−
To add insult to the injury, the Shackleton's belt option for the Hispano autocannons were also quite poor. The stock belt is the only belt with tracer rounds, with only half of the belt is composed of a useful HEI ammunition, while other half were taken by tracer and useless pratice rounds. On the other hand, the upgraded belts offers high-penetrating AP rounds and more HE rounds, but lacks tracer rounds entirely. This leave the Shackleton with tough choice of either an easier-to-aim belt with only half the chance of dealing damage, or highly destructive belt that is very difficult to target at an enemy.
+
To add insult to injury, the Shackleton's belt options for the Hispano autocannons are also quite poor. The stock belt is the only belt with tracer rounds, with only half of the belt composed of a useful HEI ammunition, while the other half is taken by tracers and useless practice rounds. On the other hand, the upgraded belts offer high-penetrating AP rounds and more HE rounds, but lack tracer rounds entirely. This leaves the Shackleton with the tough choice of either an easier-to-aim belt with only half the chance of dealing damage, or highly destructive belt that can be very difficult to target at an enemy.
  
 
== Usage in battles ==
 
== Usage in battles ==
 
<!-- ''Describe the tactics of playing in the aircraft, the features of using aircraft in a team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view, but instead, give the reader food for thought. Examine the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).'' -->
 
<!-- ''Describe the tactics of playing in the aircraft, the features of using aircraft in a team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view, but instead, give the reader food for thought. Examine the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).'' -->
−
The Shackleton offers a much-needed payload and mobility improvement over its predecessor, the [[Lincoln B Mk II]], at a cost of worse defensive armaments.
+
The Shackleton offers a much-needed payload and mobility improvement over its predecessor, the [[Lincoln B Mk II]], at the cost of worse defensive armaments.
  
−
Because of the powerful Griffon engines, the Shackleton can climb at a much better rate than the Lincoln. This allows the plane to stay out of most of the enemy fighters, though you would has a chance of facing an enemy interceptor who will usually engages from below i.e. where the Shackleton is at the weakest. Thus, the best defense for the plane is to avoid any engagements all together using the plane's good thrust power to maintain altitude and energy advantage to speed away from pursuing enemy fighters.
+
Because of the powerful Griffon engines, the Shackleton can climb at a much better rate than the Lincoln. This allows the plane to stay out of most of the enemy fighters, though you would has a chance of facing an enemy interceptor who will usually engages from below i.e. where the Shackleton is the weakest. Thus, the best defense for the plane is to avoid any engagements all together using the plane's good thrust power to maintain altitude and energy advantage to speed away from pursuing enemy fighters.
  
−
Meanwhile, the Shackleton can be employed in a high risk, high rewards fast bombing role. This tactics allows the Shackleton to quickly reaches the base before most enemy arrives and dispatch multiple base using good handling to adjust the bomb aiming. While this may put the Shackleton in a dangerous swarm of enemy fighters, this will also allows the plane to actually fight back as most enemies would usually engage at the higher altitudes where the Shackleton's ventral turret can engage. In addition, in a larger maps, the enemy fighters would took a longer time to reach their base to intercept, thus leaving the base an easy target for you to take before retreating.
+
Meanwhile, the Shackleton can also be employed in a high risk, high rewards fast bombing role, diving towards enemy bases. This tactics allows the Shackleton to quickly reach the base before most enemies arrive and dispatch multiple bases using good handling to adjust the bomb aiming. While this may put the Shackleton into a dangerous swarm of enemy fighters, this will also allow the plane to actually fight back as most enemies will usually engage from higher altitude where the Shackleton's ventral turret can engage. In addition, in larger maps, the enemy fighters will take a longer time to reach their base to intercept, thus leaving the base an easy target for you to take before retreating.
  
 
=== Manual Engine Control ===
 
=== Manual Engine Control ===

Revision as of 08:43, 30 July 2023

Rank VII | Premium | Golden Eagles
Challenger DS Pack
Shackleton MR.Mk.2
shackleton_mr_mk_2.png
GarageImage Shackleton MR.Mk.2.jpg
Shackleton MR.Mk.2
Britain flag.png Britain
IV Rank
Battle rating:
AB RB SB
5.3 6.0 6.3
Class:
Research:31 000 Specs-Card-Exp.png
Purchase:200 000 Specs-Card-Lion.png
Show in game

Description

The Avro Shackleton is the final military version of the venerated Lancaster series of bombers. Developed in 1945 from the now-obsolete Avro Lincoln as an anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and maritime patrol aircraft, the Shackleton featured more specialized armaments, such as a naval radar housed inside a distinctive "bulge" on the belly of the aircraft, removing the tail gunner position in favour of a flexible mount 20 mm Hispano Mk.V autocannons to strafe naval targets, and more efficient Rolls-Royce Griffon engines powering contra-rotating propellers.

Introduced in Update "Direct Hit", the Shackleton MR.Mk.2 can be best described as a "quirky" version of the Lincoln B Mk II, with overall better mobility and payload, but worse defensive coverage and survivability. The plane has access to some of the most efficient payload available, being capable of taking out 3 bases with the top payload. Due to the powerful Griffon engines, the Shackleton can be played either as a traditional long range bomber by using its decent climb rate or as a fast bomber using its high WEP power.

General info

Flight performance

Max speed
at 3 000 m515 km/h
Turn time30 s
Max altitude10 210 m
Engine4 х Rolls-Royce Griffon 57A
Type
Cooling systemAir
Take-off weight39 t

As with the previous Lancaster family of bombers, the Shackleton has overall good flight performance. The plane is powered by four Rolls-Royce Griffon engines turning contra-rotating propellers, giving the Shackleton a very good thrust and acceleration for its weight, especially with WEP. The plane can also manoeuvre quite well for its size, allowing the pilots to quickly turn the plane around to escape from the enemy, or to adjust the bomb sight for bombing targets.

While the Shackleton has lower wing rip speed at 575 km/h IAS, the plane can retains its speed around 600-650 km/h in a dive quite well. This allows the Shackleton to be used as a fast bomber to dive at an enemy targets. However, a Shackleton pilot should avoid doing snap turns while the plane is at a speed above 500 km/h, as the wings can be easily overloaded and rips from the plane.

Characteristics Max Speed
(km/h at 3,000 m) 		Max altitude
(metres) 		Turn time
(seconds) 		Rate of climb
(metres/second) 		Take-off run
(metres)
AB RB AB RB AB RB
Stock 487 469 10210 31.3 32.4 7.0 7.0 1,000
Upgraded 551 515 28.9 30.0 15.7 10.5

Details

Features
Combat flaps Take-off flaps Landing flaps Air brakes Arrestor gear
✓ ✓ ✓ X X
Limits
Wings (km/h) Gear (km/h) Flaps (km/h) Max Static G
Combat Take-off Landing + -
583 438 425 404 301 ~3 ~1
Optimal velocities (km/h)
Ailerons Rudder Elevators Radiator
< 350 < 350 < 350 > ___

Survivability and armour

Crew10 people
Speed of destruction
Structural0 km/h
Gear438 km/h

The Shackleton has large wings where the fuel tank are located. There are two pilots and eight gunners in total, but only two use turrets, the top gunner and the nose gunner. If the top gunner is taken out, the Shackleton becomes much easier to kill. There is only one steel armour plate of 8 mm covering the roof turret gunner. The overall structural strength of the Shackleton were mixed; the plane can endure some fire damage and can put them out using combinations of self-sealing fuel tanks and EFS, yet were incapable of taking many hits from autocannons, especially at the tail and wings.

Modifications and economy

Repair costBasic → Reference
AB2 647 → 3 557 Sl icon.png
RB7 971 → 10 713 Sl icon.png
SB15 867 → 21 325 Sl icon.png
Total cost of modifications52 900 Rp icon.png
91 100 Sl icon.png
Talisman cost1 700 Ge icon.png
Crew training57 000 Sl icon.png
Experts200 000 Sl icon.png
Aces1 100 Ge icon.png
Research Aces520 000 Rp icon.png
Reward for battleAB / RB / SB
120 / 200 / 550 % Sl icon.png
172 / 172 / 172 % Rp icon.png
Modifications
Flight performance Survivability Weaponry
Mods aerodinamic fuse.png
Fuselage repair
Research:
3 500 Rp icon.png
Cost:
6 000 Sl icon.png
230 Ge icon.png
Mods radiator.png
Radiator
Research:
3 500 Rp icon.png
Cost:
6 000 Sl icon.png
230 Ge icon.png
Mods armor frame.png
Airframe
Research:
4 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
6 900 Sl icon.png
270 Ge icon.png
Mods compressor.png
Compressor
Research:
4 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
6 900 Sl icon.png
270 Ge icon.png
Mods aerodinamic wing.png
Wings repair
Research:
3 300 Rp icon.png
Cost:
5 700 Sl icon.png
220 Ge icon.png
Mods new engine.png
Engine
Research:
3 300 Rp icon.png
Cost:
5 700 Sl icon.png
220 Ge icon.png
Mods armor cover.png
Cover
Research:
4 300 Rp icon.png
Cost:
7 400 Sl icon.png
290 Ge icon.png
Mods metanol.png
Engine injection
Research:
4 300 Rp icon.png
Cost:
7 400 Sl icon.png
290 Ge icon.png
Mods engine extinguisher.png
EFS
Research:
4 300 Rp icon.png
Cost:
7 400 Sl icon.png
290 Ge icon.png
Mods ammo.png
hispano_mk5_turret_belt_pack
Research:
3 500 Rp icon.png
Cost:
6 000 Sl icon.png
230 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 1.png
Mods pilon bomb.png
SUBC mk.I
Research:
4 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
6 900 Sl icon.png
270 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 0.png
Mods turret gun.png
hispano_mk5_turret_new_gun
Research:
3 300 Rp icon.png
Cost:
5 700 Sl icon.png
220 Ge icon.png
Mods pilon bomb.png
MBC mk.III
Research:
3 300 Rp icon.png
Cost:
5 700 Sl icon.png
220 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 0.png
Mods pilon rocket.png
HRC mk.8
Research:
4 300 Rp icon.png
Cost:
7 400 Sl icon.png
290 Ge icon.png

Armaments

Suspended armament

List of setups (7)
Setup 118 x G.P. 250 lb Mk.IV bomb
Setup 225 x 500 lb H.E. M.C. Mk.II bomb
Setup 315 x 1000 lb M.C. Mk.I bomb
Setup 48 x RP-3 rockets
Setup 58 x RP-3 rockets
18 x G.P. 250 lb Mk.IV bomb
Setup 68 x RP-3 rockets
25 x 500 lb H.E. M.C. Mk.II bomb
Setup 78 x RP-3 rockets
15 x 1000 lb M.C. Mk.I bomb
Main articles: G.P. Mk.IV (250 lb), H.E. M.C. Mk.II (500 lb), M.C. Mk.I (1,000 lb), RP-3

The Shackleton MR.Mk.2 can be outfitted with the following ordnance:

  • 18 x 250 lb G.P. Mk.IV bombs (4,500 lb total)
  • 25 x 500 lb H.E. M.C. Mk.II bombs (12,500 lb total)
  • 15 x 1,000 lb M.C. Mk.I bombs (15,000 lb total)
  • 8 x RP-3 rockets
  • 8 x RP-3 rockets + 18 x 250 lb G.P. Mk.IV bombs (4,500 lb total)
  • 8 x RP-3 rockets + 25 x 500 lb H.E. M.C. Mk.II bombs (12,500 lb total)
  • 8 x RP-3 rockets + 15 x 1,000 lb M.C. Mk.I bombs (15,000 lb total)

While stock, the Shackleton has poor payload of 18 x 250 lb bombs, which is not enough destroy a single normal base and only sufficient to take one small base in frontline mode.

However, the Shackleton can unlock the 25 x 500 lb payload as a tier 2 modification, which actually outclasses the 14 x 1,000 lbs payload found on the Lancaster and Lincoln, due to double the explosive mass compared to the similar bomb of its predecessor, while being a significantly lighter payload. 10 of these bombs can take out a large base and 5 for small bases, which means it can take out at least two and a half bases. The bomb's quantity and sizeable explosive mass also makes it ideal for carpet bombings.

The 15 x 1,000 lb M.C. Mk.I loadout is ideal to destroy bases and airfields. Only 5 bombs are required to destroy normal bases and 3 to destroy weaker bases. A squad of 3 Shackletons is capable of destroying all bases and the airfield without landing on some maps. Given that most Air RB maps at its BR consist of respawning bases with a prevalence of attackers, you will rarely be able to drop all 15 bombs on bases without having to wait for at least 1 to respawn.

Due to the Shackleton's ASW roles, the plane has the peculiar choice of equipping eight RP-3 rockets on the wingtips. Due to the large wingspan and the size of the plane, the rockets are woefully inaccurate and are best not to equip it.

Defensive armament

Turret2 x 20 mm Hispano Mk.V cannon
Ammunition700 rounds
Fire rate750 shots/min
Turret2 x 20 mm Hispano Mk.V cannon
Ammunition600 rounds
Fire rate750 shots/min
Main article: Hispano Mk.V (20 mm)

The Shackleton MR.Mk.2 is defended by:

  • 2 x 20 mm Hispano Mk.V cannons, nose turret (300 rpg = 600 total)
  • 2 x 20 mm Hispano Mk.V cannons, dorsal turret (350 rpg = 700 total)

The Shackleton has four 20 mm Hispano Mk.V autocannons, mounted in a pair of flexible mounts at the nose and a twin mount on ventral position, as its defensive armaments. Compared to the Lincoln, the Shackleton's armament layout can be considered a downgrade due to the removal of tail turret, thus making it defenceless against any enemies coming from below.

While the flexible nose guns were intended to be used to strafe at surface targets, it has very little use in-game due to it is treated as a defensive turret and are thus very hard to aim at ground targets. The gun also has limited horizontal traverse and are thus not useful against slow-flying AI-controlled planes in which the guns can be directed at them to shoot them down.

This leaves the ventral twin turrets as the Shackleton's only "real" defensive armament. While the guns are quite accurate and hard-hitting, it only covers the upper part of the plane with blind spots at the rudder and directly behind the tail, thus forcing the pilot to pull the plane's nose up to get the guns on target. The turret can also be easily evaded by simply attacking from below, thus leaving the Shackleton with no way to fight back.

To add insult to injury, the Shackleton's belt options for the Hispano autocannons are also quite poor. The stock belt is the only belt with tracer rounds, with only half of the belt composed of a useful HEI ammunition, while the other half is taken by tracers and useless practice rounds. On the other hand, the upgraded belts offer high-penetrating AP rounds and more HE rounds, but lack tracer rounds entirely. This leaves the Shackleton with the tough choice of either an easier-to-aim belt with only half the chance of dealing damage, or highly destructive belt that can be very difficult to target at an enemy.

Usage in battles

The Shackleton offers a much-needed payload and mobility improvement over its predecessor, the Lincoln B Mk II, at the cost of worse defensive armaments.

Because of the powerful Griffon engines, the Shackleton can climb at a much better rate than the Lincoln. This allows the plane to stay out of most of the enemy fighters, though you would has a chance of facing an enemy interceptor who will usually engages from below i.e. where the Shackleton is the weakest. Thus, the best defense for the plane is to avoid any engagements all together using the plane's good thrust power to maintain altitude and energy advantage to speed away from pursuing enemy fighters.

Meanwhile, the Shackleton can also be employed in a high risk, high rewards fast bombing role, diving towards enemy bases. This tactics allows the Shackleton to quickly reach the base before most enemies arrive and dispatch multiple bases using good handling to adjust the bomb aiming. While this may put the Shackleton into a dangerous swarm of enemy fighters, this will also allow the plane to actually fight back as most enemies will usually engage from higher altitude where the Shackleton's ventral turret can engage. In addition, in larger maps, the enemy fighters will take a longer time to reach their base to intercept, thus leaving the base an easy target for you to take before retreating.

Manual Engine Control

MEC elements
Mixer Pitch Radiator Supercharger Turbocharger
Oil Water Type
Controllable Controllable
Auto control available 		Controllable
Auto control available 		Controllable
Auto control available 		Separate Controllable
2 gears 		Not controllable

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Decent climb rate for a heavy bomber
  • Generally good flight performances, with powerful WEP helping the plane to maintain its speed
  • Retains energy and handle quite well for a heavy bomber at high speed, making it usable as a fast bomber
  • Self-sealing fuel tanks and overall structural integrity make it resilient to fires
  • Very heavy bomb load, with more efficient bomb options
  • 20 mm defensive cannons are accurate and will destroy most pursuing aircraft

Cons:

  • The bomber risks ripping wings when turning at high speeds (~500 km/h)
  • No armour, prone to pilot sniping
  • Very poor defensive coverage; lacks defensive armament for the belly and tail, and the frontal turret has limited horizontal traverse
  • Low durability; its large tail and wings in particular are very vulnerable to autocannons
  • Regularly faces enemy interceptors and fighters with high climb rate and powerful armament, including early jets in an unlucky matchup
  • 20 mm has no tracer rounds for the more powerful belts, making it difficult to aim

History

Devblog

Following the end of WW2 and going into the Cold War era, submarine development had picked up so much momentum that the previously used submarine counters quickly became obsolete. In addition to this, Britain was faced with a lack of capable long-range maritime patrol aircraft after it was forced to return the lend-lease B-24 Liberator bombers it received during wartime. A stopgap solution in the form of a modified version of the Lancaster bomber was created, but the need for a dedicated maritime patrol aircraft became more and more emphasized in the postwar period.

Development of the Avro Shackleton began in 1945 after the British Air Staff expressed an interest in the conversion of the Avro Lincoln bomber into a general reconnaissance as well as rescue aircraft. As a result, the Avro Type 696 was designed. The Type 696 was primarily based on the Avro Lincoln bomber, but also borrowed some design solutions from the Avro Tudor airliner, of which the latter two themselves were derivative designs of the famous Avro Lancaster. The first prototype, designated Shackleton GR.1, successfully performed its maiden flight in March 1949 and was shortly afterwards ordered into production.

The Avro Shackleton entered service with the RAF in February 1951. The aircraft performed several roles, ranging from its primary role - maritime reconnaissance - over escort and transport duties to search and rescue, whilst being employed all across the globe. However, the aircraft saw numerous modifications during its lifetime, aimed at increasing its capabilities and addressing reliability and structural problems, although at the expense of added weight. The Shackleton and its variants continued to serve throughout the Cold War era, and in the late '80s the Avro Shackleton was finally considered obsolete.

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Avro Aircraft
Bombers  Lancaster B Mk I · Lancaster B Mk III · Lincoln B Mk II · Shackleton MR.Mk.2
Export/Licensed  Lancaster MR.7

Britain bombers
Torpedo  Swordfish Mk I · Swordfish Mk II · ▄Avenger Mk II
Dive  V-156-B1
Hydroplanes  ▄Catalina Mk IIIa · Sunderland Mk IIIa · Sunderland Mk V
Light  Blenheim Mk IV · Beaufort Mk VIII · ▄Hudson Mk V · Brigand B 1
Based on A20  ▄Havoc Mk I · ▄Boston Mk I · ▄DB-7
Hampden  Hampden Mk I · Hampden TB Mk I
Wellington  Wellington Mk Ic · Wellington Mk Ic/L · Wellington Mk III · Wellington Mk X
Halifax  Halifax B Mk IIIa
Stirling  Stirling B Mk I · Stirling B Mk III
Lancaster  Lancaster B Mk I · Lancaster B Mk III
Lincoln  Lincoln B Mk II
Shackleton  Shackleton MR.Mk.2

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