Shackleton WR963 - [Official Topic]

[hunterxf382]

Following on from our last event of the 2015 season, here is a full report on the day’s activities.

Preparations for our event had been ongoing for weeks beforehand, with much discussion amongst members of the Trust arranging how we were going to put on a spectacle for our supporters whilst mindful of the current airport situation regarding Classic Air Force. We have been incredibly lucky to be able to continue our work on site with the airport’s co-operation at all times, and this event was planned to show how we will continue with our project to return-to-flight with WR963. With our neighbouring Nimrod XV232 also planning a ground run, we felt sure we had a crowd-pleaser to come!

Saturday December 5th dawned with crew members arriving from far and wide – indeed some members had travelled all the way from Scotland and North Wales to help us! The weather was forecasted high winds but no rain, not that this would deter operation of two former Maritime Reconnaissance aircraft really Luckily for us both, we faced into wind on the day! We set up our merchandising stand and Haynes Manual Book-Signing table inside the Hangar, and put the urn on to provide hot soup to warm the spectators....

The aircraft were both prepped by our eager engineering team, and the crowds started to arrive at 1pm. As always, we encourage visits onboard both aircraft to show people what we do and allow many photographs too. The Nimrod crew even had refreshments available in their aircraft galley (we are actively seeking to sort our Shackleton galley too I might add). Some of our guests had a special reason to attend, being ex-Shackleton aircrew, and recent supporters of our 2015 Kickstarter fund-raising project. The lucky few had booked places to be onboard the ground run, so a full briefing was carried out before the appointed time.

As the sun started setting, Nimrod XV232 started her run first, operating both right-hand engines in spectacular and rather noisy style! Once shut down, it was the turn of our Shackleton WR963 to provide some rather different noise complete with flames! The prolonged run also included running up all four engines to high rpm for the first time in darkness, which apart from vibrating through the ground, also showed how the mighty Griffon engine’s exhausts glow in the dark and emit spectacular flames too.... Many photographs and Video footage were taken, and some thought the ground run was never going to end! Eventually the aircraft was shut down and fell silent, to a round of applause from an appreciative audience, some of whom had not realised quite what a spectacle the Shackleton can be in the dark! With only a few relatively minor snags to be dealt with over the winter servicing schedule, the entire SPT team went home both exhausted and elated that we had fulfilled our promise and put on an event quite like no other!

WR963 / G-SKTN - Avro Shackleton MR2 - Shackleton Preservation Trust by Karl Drage, on Flickr

2016 promises more to come, as our Shackleton is ready to taxy on a more regular basis, as well as carrying our static ground runs. We are also working furiously behind-the-scenes to get the required NDT inspections carried out on the wing spars which is a crucial stage in the project, and this will be carried out subject to hangar availability at Coventry. The SPT are delighted with how much support has been shown towards our project – there is most definitely something magical about the Avro Shackleton!

To find out more about us, please check out our website, and follow us on Twitter and facebook! We are currently running a competition to win one of the new Airfix kits (WR963 of course) as well as offering space on our bomb doors for your name to be carried there for life! Again, our website has all the details!

We are dedicated to this project, and if you would like to support us by way of donations / fund-raising, please check the website for more information on how to help us!
Our branded merchandise range is expanding – another way you can show your support to us!

Even during the winter months, we welcome visitors to see our aircraft, as we have work going on most Saturdays – please contact the Trust to check we are going to be there before planning a visit of course....

Regards

Pete Buckingham
Shackleton Preservation Trust
www.avroshackleton.co.uk
Email: avroshackletonwr963@gmail.com
Mobile: 07946 251098

[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

[MRTT]

Thank you for all your hard work in 2015, I am certainly looking forward to events next year! Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

[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!

Thank you for your continued support

Pete Buckingham
Publicity Officer
Shackleton Preservation Trust

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

Valentine Ground Run Poster 2 by Pete Buckingham, on Flickr

Taxy Run Poster by Pete Buckingham, on Flickr

[seajet440]

I think I showed you this pic before, a rare - quite possibly unique - event of a Shackleton visiting Dunsfold.

Seen here with a pre-delivery FRS51 Indian Sea Harrier; I remember the airfield fire team were quite alarmed about the amount of Avgas suddenly on their patch !

Hope it's ( still ) of interest.

[hunterxf382]

That is a lovely scene Seajet440, and if you wouldn't mind it being shared on our online presence, with full credit of course, then would you mind emailing me a copy please?

Our email address is on the website or drop me a PM

Thanks for sharing on here though

[Keefy041]

And not just "any" Shackleton either !

[Keefy041]

And not just "any" Shackleton either !

[seajet440]

That is a lovely scene Seajet440, and if you wouldn't mind it being shared on our online presence, with full credit of course, then would you mind emailing me a copy please?

Our email address is on the website or drop me a PM

Thanks for sharing on here though

Hi Hunterxz382 ( Pete ? ),

yes of course you are welcome to use it, I'll contact the website.

Andy

[hunterxf382]

Thank you for the contact and use of that amazing photo Seajet440

And just to remind folks that it's our Valentine Run this Saturday, places still available both onboard and on the ground

[Domvickery]

Thank you for the contact and use of that amazing photo Seajet440

And just to remind folks that it's our Valentine Run this Saturday, places still available both onboard and on the ground

Yep places still available folks, you may even get to meet me as I'll be swinging some spanners about

[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

[hunterxf382]

We have an important letter from our chairman Dave Woods to share please:

Hello all,

Avro Shackleton WR963 needs YOUR help as a matter of urgency, let me explain why....
We have been told by the Airport Management here at Coventry, who by the end of this month will have ownership of Hangar 7, that we CAN have time in the hangar to do the much needed NDT testing on the Wing Spars. The down side is that we will of course have to pay for it. As many of you will know, the successful “Kickstarter appeal” last year has covered the funding for the testing, but not the time in the hangar as we had an arrangement with Airbase which, given that they are now closed, is no longer in force.

Why is it urgent?
There are plans for the future of the airport, no it’s not going to close or be built on, but we may not have access to Hangar 7 after this year; and of course hangarage is on a first-come, first-served basis.

We need you to put your hands in your pockets and donate to this Hangar Appeal. Hangarage for half of Hangar 7 for the year is around £70k. Whilst this would be nice, it’s not what we need. Some of XH558’s engineers (yes that’s right – the Vulcan) have helped us in their free time, with the schedules for the NDT work, and it is estimated that the work could be done in around 14 weeks. This would bring the cost down to around £20k. WE NEED TO GET HER IN THE HANGAR as this work cannot be carried out in the open air. As you know, this is a significant step towards putting a Shackleton back in the air in the UK.

We need you to donate, so what will you all get out of it?
To all those donating £30 or more – you will receive a frameable certificate stating that you helped get 963 undercover for the NDT work. You will also get your name in a Supporters Log to be kept onboard 963 in perpetuity.

I hope you feel that you can help in this and put 963 back in her element.

You can donate here http://www.avroshackleton.co.uk/fundraising.html, and please state “Hangar Appeal” so that we can put your name in the log.

Hangar Appeal Logo by Pete Buckingham, on Flickr

[IP1960]

Donation made. I couldn't make it to the recent engine run, but at the night shoot in December I seem to remember aircraft were still in the hanger - what's happening to it now?

[Domvickery]

Donation made. I couldn't make it to the recent engine run, but at the night shoot in December I seem to remember aircraft were still in the hangar - what's happening to it now?

Thank you for your donation, the campaign has had a very good start!

We only need half of the hangar so I'm told, there is still a fair chunk of the CAF fleet still there, as to what is happening to it

We also plan an engine run this weekend to make sure all is ok ahead of our taxi runs on the 9th

[HeyfordDave111]

Donated too but forgot to add the hangar fund tag to my donation. Sorry

[paullangford]

You can have some of my money.....keep up the good work, & good luck

[hunterxf382]

Donated too but forgot to add the hangar fund tag to my donation. Sorry

If you wouldn't mind sending me a PM with your full name please, I can ensure your donation is recorded in the correct manner, and Thank You

[hunterxf382]

You can have some of my money.....keep up the good work, & good luck

Thank You

[LightningMk6]

Had my air experience flight in the big grey boring airliner at St Mawgan in a 42 squadron Nimrod. To me it was anything but boring, exhilarating would describe my flight. I went on to work on the Shacks of 8 Squadron at RAF Lossiemouth from 74-76 which were hard work but also a good aircraft to learn my trade on. Happy days.

[hunterxf382]

A timely nudge about our Hangar Appeal! We still need your help if possible please, we're some way off the target figure to be able to book the space to get WR963 inside for the vital NDT checks to be carried out!
No NDT, NO chance of flying the Old Grey Lady.... it really is that vital that we can fund the costs of the hangar fees. Please donate if you can, and please share this post around on your profile, your friend's profiles, any aviation forums you belong to, in fact anywhere you can PLEASE!!!!

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

Hangar Appeal Logo by Pete Buckingham, on Flickr

[hunterxf382]

Just a reminder that our Hangar Appeal is still looking for your help if you can please!
We're some way off the target figure to be able to book the space to get WR963 inside for the vital NDT checks to be carried out!
No NDT, NO chance of flying the Old Grey Lady.... it really is that vital that we can fund the costs of the hangar fees. Please donate if you can, and please share this post around on your profile, your friend's profiles, any aviation forums you belong to, in fact anywhere you can PLEASE!!!!

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

Hangar Appeal Logo by Pete Buckingham, on Flickr

[UK Airshow Review]

"Love Shack" - Tom Jones put questions to Richard Woods, of the Shackleton Preservation Trust, about their project to get Avro Shackleton WR963 back where she belongs.