£5m appeal to get a Shackleton flying
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£5m appeal to get a Shackleton flying
BBC News - £5m Shackleton plane appeal launched in Coventry
A £5m appeal has been launched to get a Shackleton aircraft back in the skies.
The plane clocked up about 15,000 hours of service for the RAF from the 1950s through to its retirement in 1991 and is currently at Coventry Airport.
The plane is one of only two models still capable of turning its engines, with neither able to fly, organisers of the appeal said.
It is hoped mechanics will have the plane taxiing in two months and flying within seven years.
Dave Woods, chairman of the Shackleton Preservation Trust, said the focus for the next two years was to ensure the trust had the necessary funds to complete the project.
Mr Woods said: "At this moment there are no Shackletons capable of flight anywhere in the world. There are only two that are capable of turning their engines so we thought it would be a nice idea to put '963' back in the air. She was developed from a wartime Lancaster. She's had a very long and distinguished career and protected Britain from the Cold War attacks right to the end of her life. She's one of the longest serving aircraft the RAF has had."
A £5m appeal has been launched to get a Shackleton aircraft back in the skies.
The plane clocked up about 15,000 hours of service for the RAF from the 1950s through to its retirement in 1991 and is currently at Coventry Airport.
The plane is one of only two models still capable of turning its engines, with neither able to fly, organisers of the appeal said.
It is hoped mechanics will have the plane taxiing in two months and flying within seven years.
Dave Woods, chairman of the Shackleton Preservation Trust, said the focus for the next two years was to ensure the trust had the necessary funds to complete the project.
Mr Woods said: "At this moment there are no Shackletons capable of flight anywhere in the world. There are only two that are capable of turning their engines so we thought it would be a nice idea to put '963' back in the air. She was developed from a wartime Lancaster. She's had a very long and distinguished career and protected Britain from the Cold War attacks right to the end of her life. She's one of the longest serving aircraft the RAF has had."
For anyone who has followed their efforts elsewhere they deserve to succeed.
Dare I say it, all the money raised will go to getting a Shack back in the air.
mmitch.
Dare I say it, all the money raised will go to getting a Shack back in the air.
mmitch.
The Gatwick Shacks are both Mk3's, despite the same name they are actually quite different. We do have a number of MK 2 spares and Coventry are aware of our offer to assist where we can. They of course have a large spares holding and we probably do not have anything that is not in their inventory. However, as I said we will certainly assist where possible.
There is also the likely prospect that WR974(K) will be dismantled and become a walk through exhibit. In this way we can preserve her indoors and she is available to donate a few Mk3 spares to Juliet.
We wish the Shackleton Preservation Trust good luck in their endeavours and will support them in any way we can.
pm575
There is also the likely prospect that WR974(K) will be dismantled and become a walk through exhibit. In this way we can preserve her indoors and she is available to donate a few Mk3 spares to Juliet.
We wish the Shackleton Preservation Trust good luck in their endeavours and will support them in any way we can.
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I have been an aviation enthusiast all my life, and even a few years ago would have supported this project 100%. However times have changed, and in this austere day and age, if they are sucessfull in raising £5m it will prove beyond all doubt that there are some with money to waste.
I assume that the sudden need to promote this is due to Air Atlantic ( or Air Antique as the historics were known) relocating to St Mawgan. Especially if the rumours of Coventry Airports proposed closure have some foundation to them.
It would probably cost less to purchase and restore to flying condition the US based example. Behind the smoke and mirrors of the UK one is a need to move it or scrap it I suspect. As the US one flew as an 'experimental' aircraft, will BAe even underight auch a project?
I assume that the sudden need to promote this is due to Air Atlantic ( or Air Antique as the historics were known) relocating to St Mawgan. Especially if the rumours of Coventry Airports proposed closure have some foundation to them.
It would probably cost less to purchase and restore to flying condition the US based example. Behind the smoke and mirrors of the UK one is a need to move it or scrap it I suspect. As the US one flew as an 'experimental' aircraft, will BAe even underight auch a project?
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Hi all,
The return to flight is a natural progression for what we the Shackleton Preservation Trust are doing with WR963 and a long held aim. Look at the core reasons for our Charitable Trust (1020951), listed on the Charities Commission site.
As many will have noticed, the aircraft went on the civil register recently as G-SKTN, and the Permit to Fly application will be going in shortly; which will be when the hard work starts.
£5M is a big number though. We worried about putting the figure out after the estimates were done as it would cause shock. But that's what it will cost to get a Shackleton in the air that is good for decades.
Tiger_mate -
Everything we do is transparent and in the public eye, you can find us on a number of forums, or on Facebook with little effort. We make no secrets of what we're doing with our aircraft, and I'm a little annoyed by your suggestion of 'smoke and mirrors'.
There's no underlying reason to doing this other than the desire by many to see a Shackleton fly in the UK - and certainly not due a need to scrap or move the aircraft, Air Atlantique's relocation, or an airport closure. (again..? where did that rumour come from? )
In terms of purchasing WL790 and restoring it to flight - it would cost as much as WR963 and require the same work if that aircraft wanted to fly in the UK. It has the same, known, long standing spar fatigue and cracking issues which prompted the CAA to refuse any Shackleton a Permit to Fly so far.
BAE underwriting our project is not a concern as they sold the design and rights to us in 1993. Help if you want, or if you can - if not, then just watch anyway and enjoy the journey with us.
Peter Mills -
Many thanks are already due to you all at Gatwick for the kind gift we received this weekend of documentation for WR963. It was very much appreciated.
Kind regards,
Rich W
SPT
The return to flight is a natural progression for what we the Shackleton Preservation Trust are doing with WR963 and a long held aim. Look at the core reasons for our Charitable Trust (1020951), listed on the Charities Commission site.
As many will have noticed, the aircraft went on the civil register recently as G-SKTN, and the Permit to Fly application will be going in shortly; which will be when the hard work starts.
£5M is a big number though. We worried about putting the figure out after the estimates were done as it would cause shock. But that's what it will cost to get a Shackleton in the air that is good for decades.
Tiger_mate -
Everything we do is transparent and in the public eye, you can find us on a number of forums, or on Facebook with little effort. We make no secrets of what we're doing with our aircraft, and I'm a little annoyed by your suggestion of 'smoke and mirrors'.
There's no underlying reason to doing this other than the desire by many to see a Shackleton fly in the UK - and certainly not due a need to scrap or move the aircraft, Air Atlantique's relocation, or an airport closure. (again..? where did that rumour come from? )
In terms of purchasing WL790 and restoring it to flight - it would cost as much as WR963 and require the same work if that aircraft wanted to fly in the UK. It has the same, known, long standing spar fatigue and cracking issues which prompted the CAA to refuse any Shackleton a Permit to Fly so far.
BAE underwriting our project is not a concern as they sold the design and rights to us in 1993. Help if you want, or if you can - if not, then just watch anyway and enjoy the journey with us.
Peter Mills -
Many thanks are already due to you all at Gatwick for the kind gift we received this weekend of documentation for WR963. It was very much appreciated.
Kind regards,
Rich W
SPT
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Personnally I think it would be great to see the Shackleton back in the air.
A recent visit to Coventry, where the Shackleton sits just across from a Nimrod allows a very interesting compare and contrast of UK MPA technology. As I've also an occassional reason to wander through a P-8 it's even more staggering.
I think what got me most was how similar the Shack and Nimrod cockpits were....certainly compared to the P-8 glass screens
A recent visit to Coventry, where the Shackleton sits just across from a Nimrod allows a very interesting compare and contrast of UK MPA technology. As I've also an occassional reason to wander through a P-8 it's even more staggering.
I think what got me most was how similar the Shack and Nimrod cockpits were....certainly compared to the P-8 glass screens
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You would think the VTTS would be happy to help supply the email address of all of their supporters once the Vulcan is finally retired to help widen the possible funding audience?
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Shack here
This one should be still around - Capetown Shack
I followed one into Capetown and even though I was well behind it on a long final the ride was somewhat exhilarating in a Piper Arrow.
Imagegear
I followed one into Capetown and even though I was well behind it on a long final the ride was somewhat exhilarating in a Piper Arrow.
Imagegear
And while we at it we should raise some money to keep a VC10 flying, and are there any other types that we have romantic affection for? What a waste of time and money, and as they say on Dragons Den, I shall not be investing!!!
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Having flown in the back of a Shackleton for 5 years (not continuously) I would love to see one back in the sky. I have one large concern though.... the Shackleton is from the line of its famous relative, the Lancaster, and with the BBMF flying the RAF's Lancaster and the Panton Bros also raising cash to get "Just Jane" airborne then there may be overkill in 4 piston engined Avros in flying condition in the UK with the Shackleton seen as second best at an airshow. I also hope that the fund raising exploits of one project does not hamper the other so that both fail to reach their targets.
Some right miseries on this thread
I say good luck to the Shackleton Preservation Trust and WR963. I am sure they are well aware of the enormous task to return the Old Grey Lady to the air but I think she is a worthy candidate to preserve a little heritage of the RAF and specifically Coastal Command.
The Vulcan is retiring to permanent confinement to barracks after this year's display season and although to most ears the sound of 4 Griffons might not stir quite the same emotions as the Olympus howl, I'm sure the Shack will draw a loyal following and,hopefully, some deep pockets. To the detractors, you obviously have a choice not to contribute but I struggle to understand the negativity you display for the SPT's efforts to follow their dream and get WR963 back in the air.
It would be great to hear those Griffons drone above the display line at FI2020 - bring it on
The Vulcan is retiring to permanent confinement to barracks after this year's display season and although to most ears the sound of 4 Griffons might not stir quite the same emotions as the Olympus howl, I'm sure the Shack will draw a loyal following and,hopefully, some deep pockets. To the detractors, you obviously have a choice not to contribute but I struggle to understand the negativity you display for the SPT's efforts to follow their dream and get WR963 back in the air.
It would be great to hear those Griffons drone above the display line at FI2020 - bring it on
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A waste of time and money? I bet you couldn't find one decent project anywhere, in any area you care to mention, where that accusation hasn't been levelled. God knows I heard that from my ex-wife enough times...
Anyway, you pays your money, you makes your choice, as they say. I never flew in Shacks, or worked on live ones, but we did have WR974 "K" in our hangar at Cosford as a ground instructional airframe back in the eighties, so I have a soft spot for the old girl.
Put me down for a few bob, Rich.
Anyway, you pays your money, you makes your choice, as they say. I never flew in Shacks, or worked on live ones, but we did have WR974 "K" in our hangar at Cosford as a ground instructional airframe back in the eighties, so I have a soft spot for the old girl.
Put me down for a few bob, Rich.
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A large four engined aeroplane is too expensive for the air show world as demonstrated by both B17, DC6 and Super Constelation struggling to remain viable. The East Kirby Lancaster would get the public vote with regards to donations.
Set aside the rose tinted specs and there are a thousand better things to spend five million pounds on. The Vulcan is unlikely to be in its final year, a rumour direct from the horses mouth. Its time will come, but not just yet, and regardless of how close the end is going to be, there is a business model in place for its life on the ground.
Passionate enthusiasm is laudable, but must be tempered by a realistic business model, and contributers are effectively shareholders without dividends. The only saving grace is that at least £5m is a believable fiqure rather then a low start aspiration followed by expenses creep as time moves on. What are the long term plans for the aircraft if it does fly again?
Set aside the rose tinted specs and there are a thousand better things to spend five million pounds on. The Vulcan is unlikely to be in its final year, a rumour direct from the horses mouth. Its time will come, but not just yet, and regardless of how close the end is going to be, there is a business model in place for its life on the ground.
Passionate enthusiasm is laudable, but must be tempered by a realistic business model, and contributers are effectively shareholders without dividends. The only saving grace is that at least £5m is a believable fiqure rather then a low start aspiration followed by expenses creep as time moves on. What are the long term plans for the aircraft if it does fly again?