1954 Avro Shackleton Mr2
Discussion
perdu said:
sheer bloody heartbreaking
yep I'd much rather they were just broken up rather than rot away into such a state. However I suppose the other side of the coin is the spares provisions for the restoration projects, but I still HATE to see them rotting like that.
Edited by Mojocvh on Thursday 26th August 18:22
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..
)
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.com
Regards,
Rich
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..
)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.com
Regards,
Rich
The real Apache said:
Lookin good, will it be running any time soon?
As soon as the painting is done and the pipes for the oilers are fitted! We all hate that she's been silent for so long. Hopefully if we get the right weather for doing the work, sometime towards the end of October/ beginning of November should see her growling again. In May when we had the scaffolding put up we estimated it would take about six months, so we're not too far off track.I don't know how it will work in the future (it's not really for me to decide) but when she was in good order a few years ago the engines were run every two weeks regardless, and for a donation you could be on board during a run.
At the moment apart from having to pay the entrance fee to get into AIRBASE (Air Atlantique Classic Flight) there's nothing to stop anybody from coming to have a look at 963, and that won't change when we have her running again.
At the moment apart from having to pay the entrance fee to get into AIRBASE (Air Atlantique Classic Flight) there's nothing to stop anybody from coming to have a look at 963, and that won't change when we have her running again.
williamp;
The paint is from a local supplier, its enamel based and is mixed to the original BS381c colours for us. We've used this paint as its a lot more hard wearing, and the aircraft lives outdoors.
FourWheelDrift;
No idea about the Canberras, last time I asked they were looking for a new engine for one of them. I'll ask again this weekend.
The paint is from a local supplier, its enamel based and is mixed to the original BS381c colours for us. We've used this paint as its a lot more hard wearing, and the aircraft lives outdoors.
FourWheelDrift;
No idea about the Canberras, last time I asked they were looking for a new engine for one of them. I'll ask again this weekend.
When I was very young we used to go on camping holidays every year to Cornwall. This was usually at a little camp site in Mawgan Porth, very close to St.Mawgan. At the time Shaks were still flying, along with the Nimrods. They used to come in at night, with a very distinctive noise and the red hot exhausts visible as they went over.
Hi all,
Forgive me for being a little intermittant with these updates, but I have to fit the aeroplane around a day job!
First, a little news on the Canberra front. I got speaking to one of the guys that maintains them, apparently they are still looking to fly one of them (think it was WK163? Can't remember.) The hold up is the search for a correct variant of engine with paperwork to replace one of the ones on it.
The fly-in went well!
We had WR963 open at 9am, and from that point onwards we had a full aircraft, and a good queue all day! None of the team got more than a half hour break, and we finally managed to close at 5.30pm after all the cadets, fire crews, police had been for a look.
We estimate we must have had about 500 people through the aeroplane and we only had to upset one person who thought it was great fun to start flicking switches (including the magneto switches amongst others... idiot..). He was an American and didn't seem to think the signs applied to him as he "was a flier". Needless to say, he was shown the door.
One of the major jobs we needed to do this last week was move the scaffolding from around the starboard wing. We got it all down and packed away, and 963 looks a lot happier for it.
Things are coming on in leaps and bounds with the pre-oilers. No 1 and 2 have their pumps fitted, and 3 and 4 will have them on within a week or so. Our electrician was quite perplexed to find that they didn't work first time, but it turned out to be nothing more than a really thorough job done by the RAF when they removed the oil dilution system. Every junction, fuse and connection was disconnected and capped. When the last ones were found the pump on No 1 buzzed away sounding really healthy. It looks as if we'll be running again before Christmas, which keeps us on schedule.
The scaffolding had prevented us from opening the bomb doors all the way. They need to be exercised on a regular basis to keep the hydraulic rams happy. Seeing as we haven't moved them since January, now was as good as ever... so with the power on, and bomb doors "open" selected, we just need hydraulic pressure.
Which was when I found people looking my way! So, up in the starboard undercarraige bay, and started yanking on the handpump.
That's it, top just right of centre of the pic. The spar raps your knuckles as you pump, the handle's not quite big enough to get a big swing on, and high enough up to make you teeter on the undercarraige footpegs. The pressure on the handle is akin to trying to jack up a very heavy car. After a reasonable amount of time,the doors were fully open and I was free to collapse out of sight. (I work behind a desk. I'm not into this fitness lark)
We've done some more painting along the fuselage, and around the tail
You can see we have the first coat of white on, but we still need to do up the port side, and underneath. Under the tail particularly, as the camera bay doors don't look great and may need some attention before we paint them. We also need to do a bit of cleaning under there too, which is made more difficult when the ground is wet. We'll get there though... what you must remember is that by only working one day per week, this is only the SEVENTH day of actually putting paint on the aircraft.
Still loads to do though!
Regards,
Ric
Forgive me for being a little intermittant with these updates, but I have to fit the aeroplane around a day job!
First, a little news on the Canberra front. I got speaking to one of the guys that maintains them, apparently they are still looking to fly one of them (think it was WK163? Can't remember.) The hold up is the search for a correct variant of engine with paperwork to replace one of the ones on it.
The fly-in went well!
We had WR963 open at 9am, and from that point onwards we had a full aircraft, and a good queue all day! None of the team got more than a half hour break, and we finally managed to close at 5.30pm after all the cadets, fire crews, police had been for a look.
We estimate we must have had about 500 people through the aeroplane and we only had to upset one person who thought it was great fun to start flicking switches (including the magneto switches amongst others... idiot..). He was an American and didn't seem to think the signs applied to him as he "was a flier". Needless to say, he was shown the door.
One of the major jobs we needed to do this last week was move the scaffolding from around the starboard wing. We got it all down and packed away, and 963 looks a lot happier for it.
Things are coming on in leaps and bounds with the pre-oilers. No 1 and 2 have their pumps fitted, and 3 and 4 will have them on within a week or so. Our electrician was quite perplexed to find that they didn't work first time, but it turned out to be nothing more than a really thorough job done by the RAF when they removed the oil dilution system. Every junction, fuse and connection was disconnected and capped. When the last ones were found the pump on No 1 buzzed away sounding really healthy. It looks as if we'll be running again before Christmas, which keeps us on schedule.
The scaffolding had prevented us from opening the bomb doors all the way. They need to be exercised on a regular basis to keep the hydraulic rams happy. Seeing as we haven't moved them since January, now was as good as ever... so with the power on, and bomb doors "open" selected, we just need hydraulic pressure.
Which was when I found people looking my way! So, up in the starboard undercarraige bay, and started yanking on the handpump.
That's it, top just right of centre of the pic. The spar raps your knuckles as you pump, the handle's not quite big enough to get a big swing on, and high enough up to make you teeter on the undercarraige footpegs. The pressure on the handle is akin to trying to jack up a very heavy car. After a reasonable amount of time,the doors were fully open and I was free to collapse out of sight. (I work behind a desk. I'm not into this fitness lark)
We've done some more painting along the fuselage, and around the tail
You can see we have the first coat of white on, but we still need to do up the port side, and underneath. Under the tail particularly, as the camera bay doors don't look great and may need some attention before we paint them. We also need to do a bit of cleaning under there too, which is made more difficult when the ground is wet. We'll get there though... what you must remember is that by only working one day per week, this is only the SEVENTH day of actually putting paint on the aircraft.
Still loads to do though!
Regards,
Ric
They used to fly over our house in Lossie and my mum remembers that they used to cause all sorts of interference with the TVs of the time.
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