Mike N Posted October 20, 2019 Share Posted October 20, 2019 Hi, I think this should be an easy question: were any Shackleton MR3s deployed on Beira Patrol duties? I've seen passing references to them but nothing definitive. Any help much appreciated! Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Selwyn Posted October 20, 2019 Share Posted October 20, 2019 1 hour ago, Mike N said: Hi, I think this should be an easy question: were any Shackleton MR3s deployed on Beira Patrol duties? I've seen passing references to them but nothing definitive. Any help much appreciated! Mike Mr3 Shackletons operated from Majunga Malagasy republic (Madagascar). MR3 Selwyn 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EwenS Posted October 21, 2019 Share Posted October 21, 2019 There was a two part article in Aeroplane Monthly or Flypast sometime in the past year or so recalling this deployment 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
71chally Posted October 21, 2019 Share Posted October 21, 2019 (edited) MR.3s of 42 Sqn were briefly used, WR977 B and XF730 F were two (possibly the only two?) airframes used on the Majunga Detachment which covered the Beira Patrol, 'Operation Mizar'. It was mainly MR.2 equipped squadrons that covered the Majunga Detachment in rotations, 37 & 38 (only early on, disbanded by Sep '67), 42, 204, 205 & 210 Squadrons. Edited October 21, 2019 by 71chally 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boscombe73 Posted October 21, 2019 Share Posted October 21, 2019 Dear Mike Watching this eagerly, any photos forthcoming perhaps out there? My partner's father worked for a well known oil company in Madagascar during the 60's and supplied fuel to the Majunga Shackleton detachment. He remembered the octane rating which the Griffon required, and I'm planning on painting this in the near future to surprise him with. All the best with your findings! Rob 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike N Posted October 21, 2019 Author Share Posted October 21, 2019 Thanks everyone, that's very useful. From the Haynes book's appendix with details of each airframe, WR977 had Viper engines installed in April 1966 (I think I can make out the port one in the photo Selwyn linked), so that makes it a phase 3 machine. Vipers and nose guns, perfect! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
71chally Posted October 21, 2019 Share Posted October 21, 2019 (edited) 42s Mk3s covered the detachment from February to April 1967, Vipers and cannon entirely appropriate! Edited October 21, 2019 by 71chally 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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