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Great thread - vintage aircraft is an interest I share with my Dad, when I was a kid, we often went along to Coventry airport to visit the museum & to possibly catch a glympse of anything interesting happening at Air Atlantique. I'm guesssing 'your' Shackleton is the one that didn't get stranded in the US? Whatever happened to that example? Working on that old beast must be great fun - & rewarding when you get to fire up those engines! P.S I think the plane in the background is an English Electric Canberra
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No, our Shackleton is WR963, the one that flew out to the USA is WL790. WL790 is now the property of Pima Air Museum, and is displayed there, where it will remain.
It is rather good to be stood around it (or in it) when it's getting fired up.... the next time even more so, as we will have repaired the engine damage, and she'll be in good health again.
Rich
ps.. you're right, it IS a Canberra. Does look a bit Meteor -ish without th engines in, but you can see the cockpit glazing under the tarpaulin.
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"You're about as likely to come across a fully functioning old Jag, as you are a taxicab that smells agreeable." - James May
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I think everything at Long Marston has been sold and is slowly all being moved out. Theres stacks of aero-wibblepoo there.
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1987 Maestro 1.6 HL perkins diesel conversion 1986 Audi 100 Avant 1800cc on LPG 1979 Allegro Series 2 special 4 door 1500cc with vynil roof. IN BITS. HERITAGE ISSUES.
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The Shackleton and the Sea Prince haven't been sold. Most of what was, has already come up to East Midlands Aeropark.
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"You're about as likely to come across a fully functioning old Jag, as you are a taxicab that smells agreeable." - James May
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Aug 26, 2010 12:49:22 GMT
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Hi all,
I thought I'd pop a brief update on here regarding the restoration work we're doing on the Shackleton, I know there was quite a bit of interest in it!
Visitors to Coventry have noticed by now the scaffolding that has gone up around the starboard wing.. the rumours have been quite interesting to hear! (we've been breaking her up, we've taken the undercarraige off.. ) The truth is far more mundane.
WR963 is finally getting a much needed repaint. The scaffolding is there to help us work on the wing in safety. The paint scheme is going to be her old 224sqn colours from back in 1954, so she will be white overall. She will be carrying her own former code letters of "B" on the fuselage, and "M" on the nose.
All the old paint has been taken back on the top surfaces, areas of corrosion addressed, and we've used yards of ceconite sealing tapes and dope to make it all weatherproof, all done as per the original AP's. We've had to go round all the drain holes (hundreds of 1/8" holes) and found some were quite blocked despite looking clear. Water ingress is our biggest enemy what with being outdoors!
The top surface of the starboard wing got its first coat of paint on Saturday (21st Aug), and it looks really well for it. There'll be more going on this saturday, hopefully some white too. We've had various engine panels taken off and sprayed off site; so the engine cowlings should be done fairly soon.
Our engine guys are busy finishing the pre-oiling system off, the pipes and pumps are being put in over the next few weeks. It's something that's never been done on a Shackleton before, but should prolong the life of the Griffons quite a bit. The pumps will be activated off the old oil dilution system.
We've also sent away various air bottles for pressure testing so we can get the pneumatic services back in good order. We want to taxi WR963 in the near future, so we need brakes; and the brakes need lots of air pressure.
I'll pop a couple of pics up when I get home...
Regards
Rich
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"You're about as likely to come across a fully functioning old Jag, as you are a taxicab that smells agreeable." - James May
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Aug 26, 2010 16:07:07 GMT
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"You're about as likely to come across a fully functioning old Jag, as you are a taxicab that smells agreeable." - James May
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Davenger
Club Retro Rides Member
It's only metal
Posts: 7,272
Club RR Member Number: 140
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1954 Avro Shackleton Mr2Davenger
@dminifreak
Club Retro Rides Member 140
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Aug 26, 2010 20:52:14 GMT
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Brilliant stuff. Can't wait to see this finished
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Aug 26, 2010 21:11:35 GMT
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That'll be a long time mate. Depends on your idea of "finished" too!
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"You're about as likely to come across a fully functioning old Jag, as you are a taxicab that smells agreeable." - James May
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Davenger
Club Retro Rides Member
It's only metal
Posts: 7,272
Club RR Member Number: 140
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1954 Avro Shackleton Mr2Davenger
@dminifreak
Club Retro Rides Member 140
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Aug 26, 2010 21:15:21 GMT
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I suppose painted would be a start. That'll be cool to see
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Aug 26, 2010 22:05:02 GMT
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Target date for finishing the new paint is October. It's taking a fair while, as the paint's the easy bit, the prep work takes ages. One top surface of one wing is over 700sq ft.
It'll be good to see in white, as no Shackleton has worn the colours since 1958. If all goes well with teh pipes being made up, we should be running before long too. She's been quiet since January which is far too long!
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"You're about as likely to come across a fully functioning old Jag, as you are a taxicab that smells agreeable." - James May
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Davenger
Club Retro Rides Member
It's only metal
Posts: 7,272
Club RR Member Number: 140
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1954 Avro Shackleton Mr2Davenger
@dminifreak
Club Retro Rides Member 140
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Aug 26, 2010 22:24:32 GMT
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Something like this? WL796
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Yes, but without the boat hung underneath!
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"You're about as likely to come across a fully functioning old Jag, as you are a taxicab that smells agreeable." - James May
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Sept 20, 2010 16:20:15 GMT
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Big update on the Shacklebomber! This is the progress on the starboard wing. After all the taping sealing and prep, it looks rather good don't you think? There's a few of us that are going to be watching for anybody scuffing the paint by walking about on there! We had the rear of the engine nacelle off for painting. It's not often you see it "in the nude" so we just had to get a picture! It's amazing to think in the MR3 they managed to stuff a Rolls Royce Viper in there too.. This was the fin after taking the sanding pads to it. As well as the 63, various other slinging marks were also found and assembly stencils. The next two shots are of the white going on the fins. We were all holding our breath as it was the first large area done, and by roller rather than spray, but it went on great. Once again the weather did its best to annoy us, but only in the late afternoon. We didn't get as much done as we wanted to; but still got quite a way. A seemingly easy, yet annoying job was to get the boat tail cowling on No 4 back up out of the way once the paint had dried. Gravity helps it come off, and its never keen on being put back. My mate Rob insisted on lending a hand by pointing it out so you guys can't miss it. Then he and our new crew member Gary set about the Port wing upper surface with the seconite and dope. They managed to get quite a bit done, so soon we'll be getting the medium sea grey on that wing too, so we have a matching pair! They had to halt briefly as the pipe manufacturers arrived today to make the first set of hoses for the pre-oiling system. I would have taken a photo, but I didn't really want to interupt them. I couldn't get a picture of the hoses either, as they've been taken away as a pattern to make a full set for each engine. The main effort today was getting the nose section of the fuselage wearing its first coat of white paint. This involved a whole load of sanding which showed up some of the old 8 sqn markings again. As a result I have to report that the name she carried "ERMINTRUDE" is gone forever (unless I get carried away with the masking tape again when the boss isn't looking.. :rolleyes: ) Coventry Airport fly-in is next weekend so we really were wanting '963 to look a little more presentable for the occasion. I'm glad to say we managed to pull it off. Judge for yourselves.. (bear in mind this is only the first coat, so I know there's some bleed through of the grey.) So there you go... we have a very tired but happy crew of painters and the beginnings of a smart looking old aeroplane. If you can't wait the 14 days for the next update, come to the fly in on the 26th and see WR963 and loads of other classics in person. The event is in aid of the charity "Help for Heroes" and you can find more info here: www.flyincoventryairport.comRegards, Rich
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"You're about as likely to come across a fully functioning old Jag, as you are a taxicab that smells agreeable." - James May
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Davenger
Club Retro Rides Member
It's only metal
Posts: 7,272
Club RR Member Number: 140
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1954 Avro Shackleton Mr2Davenger
@dminifreak
Club Retro Rides Member 140
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Sept 20, 2010 17:19:50 GMT
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That's brilliant! Keep up the good work
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welder
Part of things
Posts: 518
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Sept 21, 2010 18:23:24 GMT
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Watched a programme about this last night, great stuff. I think there was one of these parked on the perimeter of RAF Henlow many years ago.
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I'm not completely useless, I can be used as a bad example.
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Sept 22, 2010 8:10:59 GMT
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It wouldn't surprise me if there had been one at Henlow. In the late 1970's and early 1980's they were everywhere as most of them were running out of airframe hours and were being scrapped/burned.
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"You're about as likely to come across a fully functioning old Jag, as you are a taxicab that smells agreeable." - James May
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To all those that were wondering what's been happening... The short answer is - LOTS!! I will post a proper update later on, but today we finally got to the point where the only thing left to do was see whether the engines would start. No 3 and 4 only, as we have a water problem on the port side; so No 1 and 2 remain silent for now. No 3 and 4 started without too much difficulty, and they ran great. We treated Coventry to the sound of the Rolls Royce Griffon for about a half hour. Next job is to get 1 and 2 playing as well. But we're all happy for the moment as at least we know WR963 lives! Regards, Rich
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"You're about as likely to come across a fully functioning old Jag, as you are a taxicab that smells agreeable." - James May
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Running the engines earlier today.
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"You're about as likely to come across a fully functioning old Jag, as you are a taxicab that smells agreeable." - James May
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Hi there, I just found this thread tonight and have read all of it enjoying all the info. I live about 10 miles from RAF Cosford and usually go there for a looksee 3 or 4 times a year. I have been fairly close to a single Merlin engine being fired up and run which got the blood pumping so hearing 4 Griffons on full chat thundering up a runway must be pretty awsome.
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she getting closer to a fast taxi run now then?!!
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