The Shackleton first protoype was allocated 7626M(1st December 1959) for use as a Ground Instruction aircraft. It was broken up with the fuselage hulk going to St. Mawgan fire dump in September 1965 with smaller bits noted at 71 MU Bicester. No. 2 RS moved to Cosford in 1965 when Yatesbury closed down. The large hangar in the background still camouflaged from wartime use and still on site today was where the training airframes were kept. A couple of visits in 1960 found 4 Venom NF.3's; 3 Hunters; 2 Lincoln B.2's: and one each of a Canberra, Varsity and Javelin.

The prototype Shackleton just after its maiden flight.

The prototype Avro Shackleton on an early test flight from Woodford soon after its first flight on 9 March 1949. Obtained from Avros 60 years ago.