Avro Shackleton WR963

Hi there,
I'm just trying to gauge interest on this forum to see if members would like to know more about a long-standing project to return our Avro Shackleton to the skies here in the UK? I don't want to intrude on here if no-one's interested, but we would love to keep you all up-to-date on the project if you wish?

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

 

You'll find a fair few aircraft enthusiasts on here, myself included, so post away. Would like to do your forthcoming dusk engine run but sadly it's not on a Sunday this time so will be stuck at work.

 

Thank you, I will start this properly asap then

Sent from my Z160 using Tapatalk

 

It will be fantastic to see all those rivets flying in formation again.

 

Don't often see contra rotating props these days.

 

I am developing a late interest in Aircraft following all the News reguarding the Vulcan. Lancasters have always interested me and knowing that the Shakleton is a development of the Lanc i look forward to the posiblity off seeing the Shakleton flying with the BMMF Lanc. I will read up on your aircraft in the meantime.

 

Slightly OT, so apologies in advance, but the thread title set me thinking.

How is it that the Vulcan can't fly because the engine manufacturers and others responsible for its original manufacture won't support it, but many older aircraft, including some WW1 vintage planes can be restored and flown?

Clearly, some of these early planes and their engines were manufactured by companies no longer in existence, which rules out any possibility of support.

 

Possibly because older machines had relatively simple engines which can be repaired and parts made for them 'in house'. With a jet engine, presumably the costs are much higher to produce parts so it becomes uneconomical to do it outside a main manufacturer?

Just my guesswork...


Keith

 

And taking that a step further, the Vulcan overall is a much more complex and sizeable machine so any components that need replacing would be significantly more expensive. I believe that many of the components have gone beyond their original expected life so to keep it going would involve a lot of work.

Even with older planes it does seem to be the smaller planes that are being kept going probably in part for this reason - we are fortunate to have the BBMF Lancaster and Sally B still flying the flag for the larger multiple engine planes.

 

Sorry answered an O/T post before answering the original post - would love to know more about how you are progressing as have fond memories of seeing the 8 Sqn Shackletons at Airshows as a boy

 

Don't forget NX611 - 'Just Jane'. Gently heading in an airworthy direction. http://www.lincsaviation.co.uk/

Not an aircraft, but it might qualify as a 'vintage jet' is Bluebird K7 - http://www.bluebirdproject.com/K7/

OK, we're down one Vulcan, but there looks to be some good stuff coming on stream in the next few years.

 

Would a nimrod have had the same problems with Spares support as the Vulcan had, Nimrods i believe use the Avon engine whilst not as spectacular as a V bomber, they did do stirling work , yes just jane, Thumper, and the Shackleton what a 3 ship formation that would be, plus Lancasters did serve as air sea rescue with Coastal Command

 

Nimrods were powered by the unreheated version of the Spey. Its predecessor, the Comet, was powered by Avons. Never mind noisy paraffin burners, give me the glorious sound of a Merlin/Griffon any day.

 

Not forgetting the big white Speedbird.

Had a freebie flight on that once.

As for the Nimrod
What other plane had to lift before banking when turning?
Or go through a plane wash as soon as it landed to rinse the wave spray off.
That was an unforgettable flight in about 1994 from Kinloss halfway to Iceland and back.

 

Much of it is down to engineering support. Not anybody can do safety critical work on an aircraft if it is to fly. The BBMF has RAF technicians and they don't come better than that. Elsewhere in the warbird community there are highly skilled and accredited technicians keeping them flying. The skills required are much the same as those required in the general/light aviation sector so a relatively plentiful supply of people with the right skills. The Vulcan is a different matter altogether. Whilst there will ex Vulcan technicians out there, how many have currency on type and the necessary accreditation? This is where RR, BAe and Marshalls came in. They had the guys with the knowhow and accreditation.

 

Lucky you. I had to pay for mine.

 

Brize or Fairford?

 

I loved watching the Shackletons taking off and landing at West Freugh ,near Stranraer, when I was at scout camp as a youngster!

 

Wrong on both counts.
Boscombe Down.
It had been on test doing circuits and bumps while we trying to fit arrester gear on the runway.
Lunch time we got the offer of a flight as he was doing more that afternoon 3 circuits then a blast to Biscay and back.
The boss went mad.