Shackleton MR2 WR963
 

Just noticed that a Shackleton MR2 ex WR963 has been registered on the UK civil register as G-SKTN.

Owners listed as the Shackleton Preservation Trust in New Tupton, Chesterfield.

It has a "No flight declaration dated 4th Feb 2013. Does this mean its a non flyer and if so why has it gone civil.

Will it fly again? Would be very nice if it did.

Info here:

WR963 Preservation

WR963 is currently undergoing a long term restoration at Coventry Airport.

I understand that the CAA have been approached and there is a plan to restore her to flying condition, hence the award of a Civil Registration.

Should rent her back to the MOD, they need an MPA. Must be lots of very modern kit around. Don't know if it would be shake proof though.

My first Shack ride was in 963, the first of 36 sorties.

PN

What happened on the 36th?

AD

Yes, WR963 is now the first Shackleton ever to be on the UK Civil Register, which is the start of a long road. Ignore the address assigned to the registered owner as its just the address of our chairman of the Trustees, and where the correspondence from CAA goes at the moment.

The Permit to Fly application will be going in shortly - but in the meantime we're cataloguing spares, sorting out the drawing archive, and checking all the lifed components to make sure the list agrees with what's on the aircraft.

A "no flight" declaration is part of the registration process, you have to agree not to fly the aircraft without adequate insurance amongst other things.. though until the spar booms are replaced our Shackleton's not going anywhere soon. The feasibility study suggested five years minimum to see it done.

Kind Regards,

Rich W
Shackleton Preservation Trust

As the 36th and the two preceding sorties took place west of 8 West I am forbidden from revealing any details.

Are you sure?

There was a Shackleton flown to the USA by the late Air Cdre Ron Dick on his first flight in the aircraft. I don't know on whose register it was. I believed he may have been retired when he made that epic flight.

That's funny, my last flight on 963 also went West of 8W, although my first (of over 300 hours on her) was East of 103E.

As regards the one to the States, that was WL790 and flew on the US register as N790WL (now at Pima Air Museum).

Memories
 

Flew in WR963 many times, most noteable ones were a weekend trip to Gibralter (March 81) in which the U/T Pilot forced the Spain - Gib Ferry to surrender after a rather late go-around, a 3 ship photo formation and most memorable of all was my last trip (Sept 85) just short of 1600 hours on type. Happy days ???

Last I heard a few years ago the CAA refused to place any Shacks on the civil register saying they were too complex (thinks XH558 here) so the ones sold airworthy went abroard I think one to the US and the other to SA I dont think either are flying now.

The Shackleton falls into the intermediate category of aircraft. The CAA issue was due to the spar booms, as the aircraft were operated well past the initial design life (some 200% past according to one letter by British Aerospace). As such there were doubts over the safety of the aircraft in civilian hands if the level of inspections couldn't be maintained. The only way past this is to have the booms replaced, as was done with the Lancaster in the mid 1990's.

All you chaps that have flown in our aircraft in service - is there any chance we can have details? We're trying to compile a list of where WR963 went over the 37 year career she had.

Kind Regards,

Rich

Believe that the airframe in the States is N790WL ( AEW2 WL790). Back in the 90's..... ( memory fade after a bottle of shampoo;early valentines due away on a long tour starting tomorrow)!!!!.... that this aircraft was operated by Paul Sabin
ex chief pilot for Air Atlantique

Warbird Alley: Avro Shackleton

Pima Air Museum - AVRO Shackleton

According to my logbook, WR963 was an AEW2 and I think the configuration of the bomb bay doors in the photos on the web confirm this - though the plastic paddling pool has been removed.

I managed to be the highest bidder once for a trip on a Shackleton. Went from Lossiemouth. I was sat up in the front bubble with a cup of tea and bar of chocolate. I realised at that moment I wanted for nothing more in life - total bliss. Then low level over Scotland - sheep looking up in surprise - formated with a hunter - which suddenly flew underneath us - while I was looking through the floor - did a fly past for a parade at Swinderby and then they let me have the controls for about half an hour. One of the best 4.5 hours in my life.

Thanks for the updates and memories.

Look forward to seeing her fly again, whenever that may be.

Oh Grasscarp, Am I full of envy, you bet I am! :)

My first flight in 963 was 1 Feb 82 and was an A1 or first training flight sortie on 8 Sqn. Captain the illustrious Sqn Ldr John Elias. I flew about 30 sorties over 7 years including several trips in Cyprus from 20 Jul to 12 Aug 87. For some reason I flew to Cyprus and back on a VC10. My last trip in the airframe was 9 Dec 87 with a young Graham McFarlane at the controls with Sqn Ldr Jerry Lane as captain. Still have a leather fettish!!!

Last flew it in Nov 69, on my 27th birthday. My co-pilot was the late Dave Hencken, who went on to clock up quite a few hours on type.