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POOR OLD PLANES
After your holiday over here or when you fly out of the country, you might be interested in this:
As your plane takes off westwards from Paphos Airport, glance out of the window on the right hand side, and you will see three mournful old aircraft, gazing out to sea. These are two Avro Shackletons and one Dassault Flamant.
The Shackletons, named after Ernest Shackleton the Antarctic explorer, were developed from the Lancaster bomber and nick-named the ‘growler’ due to its low engine note. The Rolls-Royce Griffon engines had contra-rotating propellers, enabling the plane to fly very slowly, ideal for search and rescue operations at sea and anti-submarine patrols. It was introduced in 1951 and was the front line in early warning reconnaissance during the ‘Cold War’ situation between the East and West. They were also responsible for many rescues at sea when with 8 Squadron in Lossimouth, Scotland, until they were withdrawn from service in 1991
All the aircraft in 8 Squadron were given names of characters from children’s TV series ‘The Magic Roundabout’ and ‘The Herbs’. Cyprus’ two Shackletons WL747 was called Florence, and WL757 was called Brian, each had a cartoon picture of the character on the fuselage. I wonder who flew ‘Dylan the permanently stoned rabbit?’
As well as reconnaissance work the Shackleton’s were a nuclear deterrent, carrying nuclear torpedoes for attacking enemy submarines. These planes were fitted with four Rolls Royce ‘Merlin’ engines the same as were in the Spitfire fighter plane. This would enable the plane to make a rapid exit to escape the effects of a nuclear explosion in the event of an attack being launched against the enemy. Fortunately they never had to be used in anger.
They were replaced in 1991 by ‘Nimrod’ reconnaissance and early warning radar aircraft which were developed from the ‘De Havilland Comet’ civil airliner.
The Dassault Flamant was a twin engine training, 12 passenger or cargo plane designed and built by Marcel Dassault for the French air force in 1947 after the Second World War.
These three planes were purchased in 1991 by Savvas Constantinides, a Cypriot businessman who had dreams of starting an Aviation Museum. They were all flown in, and a large number of spare parts were shipped into Limassol. Unfortunately he could not raise sufficient funds to set up his museum and with the three aircraft running up ground rent with the airport, the Cyprus Aviation Authority assumed the ownership of the planes and did nothing with them. Originally, you might remember, they all stood where the new airport terminal is now, it was an interesting historical display as you drove into the old airport.
However when the new airport terminal was constructed, with the aid of personnel from RAF Akritiri, the planes were moved to the west side of the airport, and parked just inside the perimeter fence, where they remain to this day. Looking out to sea where they spent most of their working lives, like three old Albatrosses waiting to die. If you walk the coastal path past the Airport you can see them. They will never ever fly again and will eventually be scrapped off.
What a shame.
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