[ZS-VAN]

I attended the launch of a new DVD by Andrew Schofield called Shackleton 1722. The last flying Shackleton Mk3 in the world.

The launch was held at the Ysterplaat AFB in Cape Town with SAAF personnel, friends of the SAAF Museum, press and aviation enthusiasts. Surprisingly well attended. Best of all most of the Shacks crew members along with survivors of 1716 which crashed in the Sahara desert en route to the UK were present too.

From what I saw at the launch, it looks really good with the SAAF providing PC7s as photo ships so the aerial views of the Shackleton and views of the places it overflies like the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront, Robben Island and Table Mountain are spectacular.

The video is 89 minutes long and will also be launched at the Newark air museum in the UK. I spoke with Andrew Schofield and will be able to get the DVD for any interested parties. If enough of you are interested, maybe I could buy a whole batch and post it to one of you.

Check out the following links:

http://www.shackletonfilm.co.za
http://www.andrewschofield.net

[STARMAN 352ND]

That looks like cool....Thanks for posting the link.
JP

[ZS-VAN]

Pleasure Starman. I've watched the whole DVD and must say that I thouroughly enjoyed it. I prefer airshow DVDs but seeing the dedication of 3 old guys maintaining the aircraft and in essence taking a flight with them was really cool.

I gather that 1722 will be retired on her 50th anniversary with the SAAF next year. The problem is the crew aren't doing as well as she is. Another interesting this is that she is hangared sideways because the Hangars at Ysterplaat weren't designed to accomodate and aircraft of that size. When she was in active service she operated from Cape Town International Airport.

The only thing I would have wanted was to hear more of the growl of those Griffons in the air. Anyone interested can PM me. I bought the DVD because I was invited to the launch and got it at a good price. Now I'm very pleased that I did. After all, 1722 is the last flying Mk 3.