'Growler' memorial to be dedicated at the National Memorial Aboretum
The Shackleton Association is to dedicate a memorial to all who served on Shackleton units of the Royal Air Force and South African Air Force.
The Shackleton aircraft served for 40 years from 1951 to 1991 – throughout the Cold
War period, initially in the maritime reconnaissance, anti-submarine warfare, and search and rescue roles. However, it was also used as a stop-gap Airborne Early Warning platform for many years.
This year is also the 60th anniversary of the start of production of the aircraft and also the first flight of the engine, the Rolls-Royce Griffon, that powered it and gave it one of its nicknames, The Growler.
At the height of its service life there were 12 Shackleton squadrons with many thousands of personnel involved over the years in operations at home and around the world. The Shackleton was also often referred to as "10,000 rivets flying in formation" and in its latter years as "The Grey Lady".
The dedication will take place on 4 June at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire. The memorial will be unveiled by the President of the Shackleton Association, Air Chief Marshall Sir David Parry-Evans.
