Now the Vulcan is grounded, what is next?
Discussion
Can I suggest that you look to the same stable as Vulcan, but a few years older?
www.youtube.com/watch?v=mOQghk5ord0
www.youtube.com/watch?v=mOQghk5ord0
richw_82 said:
Can I suggest that you look to the same stable as Vulcan, but a few years older?
www.youtube.com/watch?v=mOQghk5ord0
Yes I'd gladly donate to see a shack flying aslong as VTTS have fwww.youtube.com/watch?v=mOQghk5ord0
kall to do with it!
Eric Mc said:
alangtt said:
Apologies for the lack of effort on my part, but what's so special?
About what?http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mOQghk5ord0
sa_20v said:
Nothing, we're going to read Dr Seuss quotes and watch our aviation heritage slowly rot away. 
Fairly close to the truth, I imagine.The make up of airshows in 10 years + or so will be fascinating. Presumably the dwindling stock of privately owned 50s/60s jets will dwindle further if they're not outlawed out of existence anyway, and nothing currently, er, current will move into private hands as it will be far too complex and costly to fly.
We will be left with whatever current stuff the various forces can afford to bring along, and vintage props, although even those won't be able to fly indefinitely.
alangtt said:
Eric Mc said:
alangtt said:
Apologies for the lack of effort on my part, but what's so special?
About what?http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mOQghk5ord0
Okay, whats special about the Shackleton, in particular WR963?
The Shackleton was the last multiple piston engined front line aircraft serving with the RAF. It was the last of an evolution of design that began in 1936, lasting until 1991, from Manchester, through Lancaster, Lincoln, and on into the Argosy. Avro's last piston engined bomber - and before anyone starts saying 'it was a maritime reconnaisance design' the loadout drawings dated 1946 show bombs carried before torpedos; with a 12,000lb "tallboy" being top of the list.
It served all around the world in multiple roles, doing whatever was called of it. From emergency troop carrying, search and rescue, or going back to its roots and bombing. The infamous 20 year temporary solution to Britain's lack of an Airborne Early Warning aircraft, when it finally got replaced with an aircraft several generations ahead - and during work up trials still sometimes put it to shame using a 1940's radar.
Of 185 Shackletons built there are less than 16 remaining worldwide, and only 3 of those are capable of running their engines up. Of that three, only one has within the last 18 months. Only one is capable of taxying or any kind of useful movement. Only one has any kind of useful flying life left or the paperwork to support it for that time. WR963 at Coventry Airport.
Built in 1954, she is the highest houred Shackleton of the lot, at 15,483 flying hours - but this isn't a limiting factor as the airframe can be continually rebuilt just as with the Lancaster. With the 594 hours left to the next spar work, there are approximately 10 years worth of flying left on the airframe. The next rework will give it a further 6,300 hours which will see the aircraft outlast many of our own lives.
We don't require the support of Rolls Royce, Marshalls or BAE, as the engines are easily rebuilt (compared to gas turbines) and the design and its associated Design Rights were purchased in 1993. We've spent the better part of 20 years collecting every shred of data we can. We can trace every flight our aircraft has taken form 1959 - present day, including the slightly naughty 'hop' back in Nov 2008, with the late Gp Capt Dave Hencken at the controls.
Every servicing log, report, repair scheme, parts diagram. Drawings for all components, from Dowty, DeHavillands, Smiths, Dunlop. We don't intend to fall victim to ANY company that had a hand in Shackleton production trying to pull the rug from under us. We've quietly been buying up Shackleton components to build our stock. A lot of it is new or freshly overhauled. Control surfaces. Airframe parts. Hydraulics. Pneumatics. Engines. Wheels. Props. A Shackleton overhaul kit, in its entirety. Every item on the lifed items list - ready to go.
Its not just the aircraft herself thats special. Its the hard work thats gone into it so far, while standing patiently in the shade of the V-bomber. If you want to support some other project, do. But bear in mind, not many are as far along the path as us, or as prepared for the future.
We are going to fly our Shackleton within the next couple of years, regardless.
Edited by richw_82 on Wednesday 28th October 19:00
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