Building the Shackleton in scale.

For a number of years, if you asked any SA modeller which model kit, would he like to see on the shelf  and the answer would normally have been - the Shackleton. Frog/Novo released the first kit a number of years ago. But the kit became virtually unobtainable with ridiculously high prices asked for the small number available from collectors. However, Modelcraft of Canada (kit no. 72-050) re-released a Shackleton during 1997. About, the same time Revell (kit no. 04101) also released a Shackleton. Various reviews of these two releases argue the differences between the kits and that it is definitely not the same kit. However, it is safe to say, both are a re-tooling of the Frog/Novo kit, offer new clear parts and are shipped in a single bag. These kits are still available in limited quantities in South Africa.

The SAAF's Shackletons were constantly updated throughout their careers - various antennas etc were added to the original airframe - see the galleries. The nose- and chin mounted antennas were removed in later years. Also note that SAAF crews normally wear Day-Glo orange flight suits for operations over open water.

New Decal sheet 2:  The first decal sheet dedicated to SAAF Shackletons, was made by Andercraft of South Africa, as decal sheet no. 2. This decal sheet offer decals for one of any of the eight Shackletons operated by the SAAF. The Castles need to be replaced by Ken Smy decals and the 35 Sqdn badge is not that detailed. However, recently Dutch Decal/Kits at War from the Netherlands released a beautiful new SAAF decal sheet as decal sheet K7/5. This sheet includes markings for all aircraft including the earlier colour scheme. The Castles are very crisp and does not need replacing.