2 Airworthy Shackletons?

[barryt]

Hi all,

Just heard a report that 2 Shackletons have just flown over Muizenberg en route to Simonstown in Cape Town. 1 was in a brown livery - thought there was only 1 airworthy example in the world. Anybody got any more info?

[challengeall]

one just did flypast at FACT 13:15 in airforce blue/grey colours
looked great to see
good luck to them and welcome back

[barryt]

That's the one I've always been aware of, so what's with the brown one? Never heard of it before...

[Deanw]

I can confirm that there is one ONE airworthy Shackleton - 1722 :ok:

[Solid Rust Twotter]

Out of focus C-54 Skymaster, perhaps?

Beer - not just for breakfast....:E :ok:

[Treetopflyer]

Air Atlantique of Coventry, UK also has an airworthy Shakleton. It's probably not the one you saw, though, because it was standing on the ramp in Coventry last week...:E

[Solid Rust Twotter]

That would be the taildragger Shucking Great Facklebomber then, TTF?:ok:

[Horace Blok]

The Mk II seen at Coventry belonged (?) belongs (?) to Air Atlantique - I understand it flies on a US registration and I am somewhat surprised that its back in the UK. It was taken to the USA because of pretty severe restrictions placed on its operation. I know the UK CAA are very cautious about old time warbirds operating over England and if one does - the insurance is plenty. When I planned the Shackleton trip to England (Pelican 16) in 1994, the insurance was so hectic I had to get the SAAF (read Govt) to approve they would stand surety! It was Millions!!

What I am about to advocate now will go down like a turd in a punch bowl - is it not time to start considering a stylish end of an era for Shack 1722. The lads (air & ground crew) are not getting younger and while there may be passion amongst us to keep it flying - there are no serious technically competent people who want to take over to keep it in the air. Lets stop while we're on top!! The airframe has about 80 hours remaining!

[Solid Rust Twotter]

Horace

Last time I saw her in Coventry about two and a half years ago, she was parked on that grass patch just off to the side of Atlantique's offices.

Some real drool producing toys there, including a Pioneer.:ok:

[SASless]

Passing thru Coventry tomorrow in a Warbird....UH-1H Huey enrout to Duxford for Heli-Tech. Will look for the Shack and other oldie but goldies. The fuellers at Coventry are good folks...always enjoy seeing them.

[African Tech Rep]

AA had two Shacks – when they landed in CVT they were Airworthy but came down under Military Reg – as I remember two pilots (the MD was one and I think TCP the other) had undergone type training with the military – then the fun started trying to a CofA / Permit to Fly from the Campaign Against Aviation.

First received list of “civilianisation mods” that were required - the twist was they had to be designed by the company that held Design Approval, at that time BAe, their interest = not a lot – but they were good enough having found that AA had a Design Dept to agree to pass the approval over, conditional on the design dept becoming a bit bigger – this happened and I still remember helping move cabinets full of drawings – “civilianisation mods” drawn / written up and presented to CAA – result another LOT of pages of “required mods”. :{

Belive the MD – who was (is ?) a VERY straightforward guy asked the CAA if they would ever let AA “win” – reply was supposed to be “not if we can help it”.

The engines were run occasionally (sometimes they even let me sit in the FE station) and “tick over” maintenance was done – after a while a deal was done and one went to the States where it was given “Experimental” and could fly within days (if not hours) of arrival.

If either of both are now in CVT and flying BIG Kudos to the current AA guys. :ok:

[Treetopflyer]

Okay... Just took a look on Atlantique's website: they have one airworthy Shack flying in America, and another one used for static display in Coventry -- the one I saw...

http://www.classicflight.com

-- TTF.:cool:

[ozplane]

The Shack at Coventry does have it's engines run occasionally. Pity the paperwork won't let it fly.

[African Tech Rep]

Ozplane = master of understatement ;)

Just to make sure there’s no possibility of misunderstanding – the aircrafts paperwork is fine – at least it was and I have no reason to think it isn’t now – it’s the CAA’s attitude that’s the problem.

Personally I think it’s ridiculous and reflects badly on the CAA that they can’t work out how to set up a Regulation that allows for the safe operation of these aircraft :{ – after all other authorities can – Experimental in US, ZU down here.

[ozplane]

Tech Rep, there was no slur intended on the Air Atlantique side of things but until they get the CAA sign-off it won't fly. It does seem inconsistent when we have an airworthy Lancaster (BBMF flight) and a B-17, privately run. Both these airframes are broadly the same technology as the Shack. Perhaps when the Vulcan flies there will be a realisation that the private sector can manage these things.

[African Tech Rep]

Ozplane – didn’t look upon it as slur, just a way of wording that could be misconstrued later.
The sad thing is that the CAA sign off is only needed for the UK Register – thus in the UK we (you now) miss out on seeing some wonderful old planes in their element – especially ridiculous when you consider some of the people who can’t see it fly actually paid for it – all because of some Civil Servants covering their butts.

For me a well timed trip to Cape Town is well worth it – now if only the B17 and Lanc could come over

If the Vulcan does indeed get in the air I’ll come back specially to see it and buy anyone involved a beer.