1954 Avro Shackleton Mr2
Discussion
Have got to come and see this veteran this year on my trip back to the Uk this summer. Does she have a web site ?
Came across these old photos (not mine) taken at RAF Butterworth Malaysia (check out those shorts !) of a Shack with a Vulcan's nose poking out.
ps More photos from this base posted on the Classic Aircraft photo thread.
Came across these old photos (not mine) taken at RAF Butterworth Malaysia (check out those shorts !) of a Shack with a Vulcan's nose poking out.
ps More photos from this base posted on the Classic Aircraft photo thread.
Edited by V41LEY on Tuesday 22 January 16:08
You'll be more than welcome. Anybody that wants to drop in and see us on a Saturday is more than welcome to do so, we're there (weather permitting...) from about 10am onward. Follow the old signs for Airbase/DC6 Diner.
No website yet, though there is a new one on the way. If you use Facebook you can find us at http://www.facebook.com/avro.shackleton
Nice photo of the 205 Sqn Shackleton, WR963 served with them for a while before being converted into an AEW2 and going on to serve with 8 Sqn.
No website yet, though there is a new one on the way. If you use Facebook you can find us at http://www.facebook.com/avro.shackleton
Nice photo of the 205 Sqn Shackleton, WR963 served with them for a while before being converted into an AEW2 and going on to serve with 8 Sqn.
I'm sure I posted this earlier but used to sit at the end of the runway at Lossie at nights when 8 squadron were night flying, the sound of those 4 engines at full chat 50 foot up with blue flames coming out the exhausts was skin crawlingly good, slight critisism of the project, I prefer the light grey AEW colours 
Gary
Gary
RosscoPCole said:
I remember when I was a school in Bramhall that a Shackleton flew over our school with the front painted red to celebrate Red Nose Day. Made an amazing sound as it flew low towards Woodford.
There were five in the area when that was done. It was the visit to Woodford for the Shackleton's 40th anniversary and the red noses were added at the insistence of the late Gp Capt Hencken. jaf01uk said:
I'm sure I posted this earlier but used to sit at the end of the runway at Lossie at nights when 8 squadron were night flying, the sound of those 4 engines at full chat 50 foot up with blue flames coming out the exhausts was skin crawlingly good, slight critisism of the project, I prefer the light grey AEW colours
Gary
Griffons always sound good, though they have a harsher sound than Merlins. The growl of the propellers on the Shackleton add to the noise too.Gary
Sorry about the colour choice but it was driven by several factors at the time! As it stands, there's now one Shackleton in colours from each major stage of their life in the UK. WR963 in early Coastal Command colours, WL795 at St Mawgan in the grey, and then WR960 at Manchester in perfect AEW2 markings. WR963's fate of being put back to earlier colours was sealed when the radome was scrapped without our knowledge.
Having said that it should make her a little nicer to fly, as the characteristics of the AEW2 were a compromise to carry the necessary radar equipment.
23 Feb
The object of Saturdays work was to remove the front propeller from No 2 engine, fit some new bearing parts, fit the translation unit, and then re-fit the propeller again. With all the upheavals at Coventry, yet again this was all going to be done without the assistance of any kind of crane. Luckily we had a visit by a couple of friends, which boosted manpower a bit.
With a reasonable amount of manpower available, this is not too difficult as despite its size and awkwardness the propeller is not too heavy, and with the aid of a couple of platforms it was soon safely off the engine. Then it was swiftly on to fitting the intershaft bearing inner race and retaining nut.
This is a part we've been waiting for for a while, as for some unknown reason the No 2 now fitted was the only one in our store missing this item, and at the time it wasn't noticed. Its just that rare for them to be missing! Chasing up and down the country for a suitable tool to remove one from another engine finally paid off, with a friend in Carlisle kindly offering the necessary parts and the loan of a bearing tool.
With that in place, the translation unit is next. This is an oil filled double bearing, produced by Martin Baker, and transfers the pitch of the front propeller to the back propeller, using several rack bolts. The loss of a rack bolt and subsequent break up of one of these was a contributary factor in the loss of the SAAF Shackleton in the Sahara in 1994.
Then it was back up with the front prop, and fitting the pitch change mechanism itself.
At the end of the day we were all very cold, but happy that we are six split pins and a small amount of wire locking away from running the No 2 engine.
The aim is to have WR963 taxying this year, while we raise funds and organise getting her a roof over her head - and if No 2 behaves in the next few days, the goal of taxying is not at all that far off.
Regards,
Rich
The object of Saturdays work was to remove the front propeller from No 2 engine, fit some new bearing parts, fit the translation unit, and then re-fit the propeller again. With all the upheavals at Coventry, yet again this was all going to be done without the assistance of any kind of crane. Luckily we had a visit by a couple of friends, which boosted manpower a bit.
With a reasonable amount of manpower available, this is not too difficult as despite its size and awkwardness the propeller is not too heavy, and with the aid of a couple of platforms it was soon safely off the engine. Then it was swiftly on to fitting the intershaft bearing inner race and retaining nut.
This is a part we've been waiting for for a while, as for some unknown reason the No 2 now fitted was the only one in our store missing this item, and at the time it wasn't noticed. Its just that rare for them to be missing! Chasing up and down the country for a suitable tool to remove one from another engine finally paid off, with a friend in Carlisle kindly offering the necessary parts and the loan of a bearing tool.
With that in place, the translation unit is next. This is an oil filled double bearing, produced by Martin Baker, and transfers the pitch of the front propeller to the back propeller, using several rack bolts. The loss of a rack bolt and subsequent break up of one of these was a contributary factor in the loss of the SAAF Shackleton in the Sahara in 1994.
Then it was back up with the front prop, and fitting the pitch change mechanism itself.
At the end of the day we were all very cold, but happy that we are six split pins and a small amount of wire locking away from running the No 2 engine.
The aim is to have WR963 taxying this year, while we raise funds and organise getting her a roof over her head - and if No 2 behaves in the next few days, the goal of taxying is not at all that far off.
Regards,
Rich
Hi all,
Sorry for the lack of updates. There's quite a bit going on in the background; but its stuff that doesn't really show on WR963 herself. I'll add more shortly.
Anyway...
On Saturday 11th May WR963 will be carrying out her monthly ground run, at Coventry Airport. Engine start is at 1pm, local time, access is through the West Gate at Baginton, and limited parking spaces are available near the DC6 Diner. While there's no entry price to get in to the airport to see WR963, sadly we are having to now charge for access into the aircraft itself, both static and during the ground runs. Its now £5 for aircraft tours and £25 for a place on the Shackleton during ground runs.
Remember, this is currently the only place in the UK where you can see, hear and feel a live Shackleton, and one of only two left running in the world, so if you're out and about come down and say hello!
Regards,
Rich
Sorry for the lack of updates. There's quite a bit going on in the background; but its stuff that doesn't really show on WR963 herself. I'll add more shortly.
Anyway...
On Saturday 11th May WR963 will be carrying out her monthly ground run, at Coventry Airport. Engine start is at 1pm, local time, access is through the West Gate at Baginton, and limited parking spaces are available near the DC6 Diner. While there's no entry price to get in to the airport to see WR963, sadly we are having to now charge for access into the aircraft itself, both static and during the ground runs. Its now £5 for aircraft tours and £25 for a place on the Shackleton during ground runs.
Remember, this is currently the only place in the UK where you can see, hear and feel a live Shackleton, and one of only two left running in the world, so if you're out and about come down and say hello!
Regards,
Rich
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