Shackleton WR963 at Coventry, return to flight!!!

[Figure8]

Fabulous news, i would love to see that in the air.

[StandardTom]

That is excellent news, very much looking forward to further updates!

[TankBuster]

What a way to start the new year!!! Great news!

TankBuster

[steve149c]

Spot on, really look forward to seeing a Shackleton in the air again!

[romeo bravo]

One Shak and 2 Lancs in formation; now that will be a sight. How many rivets flying in formation would that be??

[Hurn]

brilliant news. As great as XH558 has been she has sucked a lot of money out of other projects. Knowing its her last season, the general public can now concentrate on giving money to projects like this, Just Jane, and getting a Mossie flying in the UK

Warbird scene in this country has never looked better.

Bryan

I don't think there's any proof that the Vulcan stops other projects getting money nor is there any proof that the money the Vulcan gets will automatically start going to other aircraft once it retires. I suspect some may filter through to other aviation projects but for many people it'll probably be a case that they'll just keep the money instead.

Nevertheless, I'm very pleased to hear about the plans to get a Shackleton flying again, albeit very cautious. Knowing how difficult it will be always stops me getting my hopes too high but I wish them all the best of luck, and I'd love to hear those Griffons roaring in the skies once again.

Only time will tell if it happens, but then who thought we'd ever see a Vulcan flying again? I look forward to hearing more about the project in the future.

[richw_82]

The Vulcan hasn't stopped other projects getting money but there is evidence that people are donating to XH558 in favour of other aviation projects. Not that this is a problem as XH558 needs everything she can get while she still flies, and none of us at the SPT would begrudge another Avro aircraft that support.

We know the difficulties - the hard part being the oft mententioned spar booms, and getting funding to make it all happen. I'm working on getting some of the plan up so you can all see this isn't just wishful thinking. I've also got to chase up some documetation for the CAA for our registration over the next few days. (glimpses of the future? )

Regards,

Rich W
Shackleton Preservation Trust

[paddyboy]

When (Not if) it happens, I will be proud to cry buckets, just as I did when XH took to the skies again

Best of luck and best regards

Paddyboy

[DeanW]

That's superb news. Good luck with the restoration and fundraising - I'd happily give £20 to help her on her way

[Flyingmonster]

Top news!!

[hunterxf382]

See the other thread for the latest monumental news on progress with WR963

viewtopic.php?f=287&t=104524&p=656600#p656600

[hunterxf382]

Rather important and overdue update to this ongoing thread...

I took on a rebuild of the SPT's website a few months ago - and the new look site can be seen here: http://www.avroshackleton.co.uk/

Engineering progress over the winter months with an influx of new crew has meant that all engine work has been carried out along with various test ground runs as required. The first public ground run will take place on Saturday May 2nd in conjunction with the re-opening of Airbase at Coventry Airport with their special mini airshow event.

Finally, a plea for your help!
For the first time we are actively seeking funding from you, the public, to enable us to progress to the next level of the return-to-flight project with vital NDT testing required on the wing spars. With only 9 days left, we are tantalisingly close to the final total required - and are offering some amazing rewards for pledges of support! Have a good read through this Kickstarter link to find out more, and please help us achieve our goal - to put WR963 back in the air! https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/18 ... -to-flight
You could even find yourself taking a seat upfront during a taxy around Coventry Airport!!!!

[hunterxf382]

We are now really close to reaching our target, and ask that the Kickstarter link is shared around by as many as possible on any social media that you have access to please!!!!

[richw_82]

6 days to go and less than £1500 to hit the target! Please help us if you can by pledging or sharing the link, it makes all the difference.

First public engine run of the year is on May 2nd for Airbase's reopening, so if you haven't heard the Griffon growl this year now's your chance!

Kind regards,

Rich W

[richw_82]

Thanks to all that made it happen! We hit (and surpassed) the target. As soon as the Kickstarter ends, we'll be cracking on sorting the rewards out, and also getting things organised to get deep inside some parts of WR963 that haven't seen daylight since her last major.

Regards,

Rich

[hunterxf382]

On behalf of the whole team at the Shackleton Preservation Trust, may we wish you all a very Merry Christmas and thank you for your support in 2015! We are looking forward to an exciting year ahead and hope you will join us to see what we do

[hunterxf382]

Apologies for the slight gap in updates on our project, Christmas and other distractions etc I'm afraid

Well I had better start where things left off when we had our successful Dusk Run back in December! The event was well attended and almost went to plan completely apart from a couple of 'tech' issues...
Firstly we had an embarrassing lighting failure despite checks having been made before the run. The portable generator decided it would be a good time to cut-out just as the lights were needed! We feared the worst for all the photographers, but having seen the results afterwards online - it actually gave some additional bonus atmosphere with photos taken with and then without lighting Of course we will try better next time and maybe incorporate the split as a planned occurence rather than a total surprise to our crew
The second issue occured nearly at the end of the run itself, when shortly after some 'smoke or mist' was observed from the starboard inner engine / undercarriage bay area; some rather odd comms were passed between myself outside at the end of the long lead, and our onboard crew. I was being told that flaps were being selected down..... nothing happened outside? Try again...... nothing? Ok, try the bomb doors then.... again - nothing moved? I'm sure the onboard crew were convinced I needed a trip to a certain Opticians, but I told them I knew what flaps and bomb doors looked when they moved, and they weren't. Luckily for us, our ex-8 Sqn engineer was onboard, and promptly requested the old standard hydraulic system check - turn the wipers on! Outside, I thought he had gone mad by then I mean, firstly I'm accused of not seeing large moving metal surfaces, and then I hear they are going to put the windscreen wipers on!!!
The reality of this rather funny moment is that the Shackleton has no hydraulic gauge fitted, so the foolproof method to find out if you actually have any system pressure is to switch on other hydraulic circuits. There aren't many on a Shackleton, but windcreen wipers are one of them! And they failed to work too....
We knew then that we had a hydraulic issue, which coupled with the observed cloud of vapour only minutes before, meant further investigation would be needed after engine shut down.
On closer inspection under torchlight (it was very dark by this time), the oil residue over the entire undercarriage bay was plain to see, and the source quickly became apparent when we all looked up! A small pipe coupling right by the hydraulic hand pump had fractured, dispensing some of the system contents all around.
Luckily we have some highly skilled local engineers on our team, and a repair was sorted quite effectively and with relative ease along with some lateral thinking. Once the pipe was back in place and the system topped up and bled, we were back in business! Other winter maintenance has been the usual multitude of preventative maintenance such as lubrications and cleaning, and when time permits some of the team have continued the swapping over of our MR2 reverse engineering with the reinstallation of the Nav Plotting Table. Our ex-8 Sqn Chief Engineer has promised that we will be seeing the return of some repaired electrical items very shortly, which he assures us will bring back a healthy ignition system on one engine which had been causing a minor concern recently. But very soon we will be ramping up the work to prepare our Old Grey Lady for her forthcoming season, and for that, we need to awaken her from her winter slumber!
We have several events in the pipeline already, the first of which is our appropriately named "Valentine Ground Run" taking place on Saturday 13th Feb! We love the old girl, and we would like you all to share in that love too! By treating her nicely, she does behave And what better way to blow off the cobwebs and make some more of that infamous Griffon Growl

Following that first ground run, our team have been planning to fulfil a promise made after we taxied 963 around Coventry last year, and this year we're back doing more of these! Only this time, we are able to take paying passengers onboard for the taxy runs too!!!!
Our first taxy run is scheduled for Saturday April 9th, and our Chairman has endorsed a special price package for this taxy run only, with limited places available onboard, so book early!!!

And finally for now, some important changes have taken place at Coventry Airport since last year, which have meant we had to change slightly too! With the closure of Airbase, we are now under the watchful eye of the airport authorities directly, and are now considered to be on the 'live' side of the airfield. The existing fenceline around us will soon be no more, and because of the security implications of being on a operational airfield, we have made some changes to the way we operate in order to satisfy the airport's requirements. This has meant that we have now changed to specific planned Guided Tour dates throughout the season, with intended visitors recommended to contact us to book a place beforehand. We have to meet & greet all visitors now, and escort them airside at all times. To achieve that without planning ahead would be problematic for our small team of volunteers as we also need to plan our schedule of work too. The guided tours are available in two options nowadays, and all the information needed is on our website pages of course. We are building on the successes of previous years, and looking to the future at all times! The team acknowledge the huge support we have been getting from far and wide, and with recent publicity enhancing our profile, we aim to show everyone what we can do now, and what we can achieve for the future - a return to flight of course!

Lastly, here are a couple of posters for the forthcoming events - and please check our website for much more information on all of our plans!

http://www.avroshackleton.co.uk/

Thank you for your continued support

Pete Buckingham
Publicity Officer
Shackleton Preservation Trust

Valentine Ground Run Poster 2 by Pete Buckingham, on Flickr

Taxy Run Poster by Pete Buckingham, on Flickr

[hunterxf382]

Following our winter servicing period, the Trust planned to awaken WR963 from her ‘winter slumber’ on Saturday 13th February by holding a special “Valentine Ground Run” open to visitors! A large contingent of volunteers assembled at Coventry Airport by mid-morning, and there seemed to be a definite sense of purpose as the aircraft was prepared for her first ground run of 2016. Some last-minute engineering tasks were completed in reasonable weather, and a small group of visitors were shown around both WR963 and VP293, our neighbouring travelling nose section, as the groundcrew got 963 ready for her scheduled 13:30 start time.
Once everyone was onboard and the steps removed, 963 was ready, and the start sequence commenced. Except this was no ordinary start-up, as we had crew in training too, so our latest Flight Engineer In Training – Mario Mclaughlin sat in control of all four mighty Griffon engines for his first ‘live’ run!
The usual sequence of start-up was carried out with No.3 first, followed by No.4, then No.2, and finally No.1........ well that was the plan? We had been more concerned about No.2 engine following replacement of the Injector Pump recently, but this engine started with relative ease! No.1 engine however, seemed reluctant to show any signs of fuel flowing to it, despite several attempts made to start it. The onboard crew eventually decided to abandon further attempts at starting it to save excessive wear on the starter, and continued the run on 3 engines only. Once fully warmed up, the 3 engines were taken up to 2150rpm for brief periods, which made sure everyone heard that distinctive growl for sure....
Once the run had been completed, and all engines shut down, the team descended on the reluctant No.1 engine to carry out some tests to see where the fault lay. Very soon it became apparent that we had a sticky solenoid as the culprit, which decided to suddenly work again when power was applied during ground testing. Our Chief Engineer decided to try a test run of No.1 engine only, but by this time our Trolley Acc ground power supply had suffered a voltage drop in the cold weather which by this time made it impossible to get enough power to start engines at all. With the weather closing in and a tired crew, it was decided to leave further testing until our next engineering visit and to recharge the Trolley Acc power supply fully too...

Other tasks carried out that day were the continued application of more Bomb Bay Door names for those supporters who have donated to the project via our website, as well as a good spring clean inside the fuselage. Noticeable on the day was how the winter weather has given 963 a coating of dirty residue, so we are looking at a special ‘Wash Day” coming soon to bring back some of that sparkle on 963!
There are other tasks to be completed in readiness for her next BIG day in April when we plan to Taxy 963 with paying guests onboard for the first time! Places are limited onboard, and they are selling fast if you want to experience the unique sights and sounds of being onboard a Shackleton as she trundles around Coventry Airport! We’re making that a special full day’s experience for you too, with lunch with the crew and making sure you will go away with some lasting memories of being onboard! We will also welcome visitors to watch the Taxy Run from the ground too, and all details are on our website of course!

Taxy Run Poster by Pete Buckingham, on Flickr

[hunterxf382]

The Team had a good day working on '963' on Saturday 27th February, isolating the problem that stopped No.1 Engine starting on the last ground run. It was found to be a faulty solenoid valve in the fuel priming circuit. After stripping and cleaning it, the valve was refitted and tested. All appears to be working correctly now. Other work included servicing the port side priming pump which required new shims, checking the gearbox oil levels on each power plant, more names added to the bomb bay, batteries removed ready for replacement and work continues on the plotting table. Towards the end of the day engine covers were strapped over the Griffons to safeguard the work. Congratulations and many thanks to all the members of the Team for their help today. Great work done.

And finally.....

We have just ONE place left onboard on our first taxy run of 2016 on April 9th!
Still plenty of 'ringside' places available on the ground, but for that extra special day out, the place onboard offers the chance to become an honorary crew member for the day, helping prepare WR963 for her activities, then stopping for lunch with the crew, before climbing onboard and enjoying the spectacle of seeing how she comes alive and stretches her legs at Coventry Airport! Plenty of opportunities for photos too, and of course we will have our SPT merchandise available too! All those onboard also take home various momentos of their special day!

See our website for more details, and please remember this is a 'first come first served' offer!!!!!

Taxy Run Poster by Pete Buckingham, on Flickr

[hunterxf382]

Due to unprecedented public demand the first Shackleton taxi run is fully booked, so we are launching bookings for our second taxi run on April 9th.
Seats are expected to be filled rapidly, so book your seat now!

http://www.avroshackleton.co.uk/latest-news.html