AVRO SHACKLETON SPERRY 6A/3849 Mk3C ARTIFICIAL HORIZON

Flown by both the RAF and the South African Airforce (SAAF), the Avro Shackleton was designed to bridge the gap in both country’s long-range maritime surveillance and interdiction forces. 

Furnished with extensive anti-submarine electronics for its anti-submarine warfare (ASW) mission whilst also providing a much improved crew environment, the Shackleton set the benchmark for all future long-range martime patrol aircraft.

The first Shackleton was delivered to No. 120 Squadron RAF in March 1952 and by the end of 1952, seven more squadrons were operating the type, with the first operational deployment of the Shackleton occurring in 1955 as a troop-transport for British Army movements to Cyprus.

With its ten crew comprising: two pilots, two navigators, a flight engineer, an air electronics officer, and four air electronics operators the aircraft underwent numerous upgrades to keep pace with advances in Soviet naval technology. To that end it was also equipped with nuclear depth charges to counter the Soviet’s new deep diving submarine fleet and silent running power-plants.

Flying in every possible weather condition hundreds of miles from any land bearing, the Sperry Artificial Horizon played a critical role in assisting the pilot to orientate the aircraft for level flight and also gauge its degree of climb or descent

This Avro Shackleton, Sperry 6/A3849 Mk3C Artificial Horizon Indicator is in remarkable condition and features the British Air Ministry ‘Broad Arrow’ marking on the outside dial of its face and a service stamp of April 1956 on its rear metal casing.

With its undamaged bakelite case and clear, scratch-free glass face, this Sperry 6/A3849 Mk3C Artificial Horizon Indicator, presents an amazing opportunity to secure a rare piece of Cold War aviation history from an operational Avro Shackleton.  

Mounted on a stylish 100yr old Mango Wood Display Stand with engraved plaque and a highly detailed 1/72 scale model of this British anti-submarine patrol aircraft perched above, on its magnetic display arm and detailed Fact Sheet, it’s an ideal gift for any aviation enthusiast.

This Avro Shackleton Instrument comes complete with detailed Scale Model, Mango Wood Stand & Plaque plus Printed Fact Sheet featuring photo of instrument in aircraft cockpit.

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