Shackleton WR963

[Sploosher]

Just had another look at that video, looks liek there will be plenty of room to get some decent images as I will be using my 18-70 and 10-20 zooms...........

the flashgun will be getting an outing too, it wont know whats hit it as it has not been out for a long time.

[Richw_82]

Just a mini update:

Not much heavy work carried out on WR963 this weekend. Most of the crew were away on various family/xmas duties so the few of us that made it to Coventry set about a few small maintenance tasks for the Night Runs. There's an intermittant fault with the starboard wingtip light, but other than that everything seems okay.

I have been told 963 is probably going to be the last aircraft running on the night run; hopefully that will be confirmed tomorrow and I might have more of an idea of the order.

We did also manage to get a couple of the carrier points working again in the bomb bay ready for the fitting of the pannier in a couple of weeks time.

Regards,

Rich


Newsflash - just found out that CFS at Coventry has closed its doors. Not good for us, as that's where our No 2 prop is. More info as I get it.

[Xplumberlives]

Good news and bad news, let's hope it all works out OK!

[Dan4th]

Well, the fellow who WAS working on your
prop certainly has some time on his hands
right now......

Make Him a Member of your Group!!!!!

Seriously!

Danf.

[ThePropKing]

Hi, my first post here! I'm doing this on my dad's behalf as he finds it difficult to type due to Parkinsons. I only recently found this forum on the Shack and we're delighted that so much is being done for WR963 in her retirement. My dad's interest actually goes back to his 2 years national service from Feb 5th 1951 to Feb 5th 1953 when he became known as "The Prop King" for his speedy change of the props on the mk1 Shacks.

Anyway, we are coming on the 10th as a 79th birthday present for him and he will be bringing some photos along if anyone would like a look.

Keep up the amazing work guys and Thankyou for what you're doing!

[Mayfly]

Welcome to IA to both of you.

Rich does a great job keeping us up to date on the work carried out - they deserve support.

[Sooty655]

Welcome to Iconic Aircraft, Prop King (and assistant).

I'm sure those photos would be well received on here if you can scan and post them.

[Richw_82]

Hi, my first post here! I'm doing this on my dad's behalf as he finds it difficult to type due to Parkinsons. I only recently found this forum on the Shack and we're delighted that so much is being done for WR963 in her retirement. My dad's interest actually goes back to his 2 years national service from Feb 5th 1951 to Feb 5th 1953 when he became known as "The Prop King" for his speedy change of the props on the mk1 Shacks.

Anyway, we are coming on the 10th as a 79th birthday present for him and he will be bringing some photos along if anyone would like a look.

Keep up the amazing work guys and Thankyou for what you're doing!

Hi Prop King!

Glad you like what we're doing with WR963, the updates will continue (cheers for the compliment Mayfly!). Exciting times are ahead for the old Shackleton, it just takes time to make it happen.

On the horizon for 2012...

prop build for No 2 engine
mainwheel change
long bomb doors
upper turret
front turret
taxying...

I'd be interested to see the photo's, and I'd echo what others have said that it would be great to see them on here. There's precious little archive material on the Shackleton around the internet.

Please try and get to Coventry early, as we'd love to have a chat with you both and we may not get chance later in the day. We also have the nose of an MR1 Shackleton which will no doubt be of interest to your father.

Kind regards,

Rich

[Mayfly]

Rich did anyone ever find out what happened to all bits from VP293 [I think it was] at Duxford? My memory is a little hazy.

[Sploosher]

welcome to IA Propman, just read your first post and I see that you say your dad was on shacks during his national service between `51 and `53, would he have been at Ballykelly in Northern Ireland at that time

The reason why I ask is because my late father was there as an airframes mechanic at the time and it would be good to meet someone who may have worked with him............

[Richw_82]

Rich did anyone ever find out what happened to all bits from VP293 [I think it was] at Duxford? My memory is a little hazy.

None of the bits have ever turned up. The amount of shouting we did, and outrage it caused I doubt they will.


update on the prop. We're now talking with the company of liquidators to try and get it back.

[Mayfly]

You shouldn't have to ask for it back as it's yours and not CFS it should be returned to you!

Best of luck for a speedy out come.

[Richw_82]

Its not really asking, more making sure they know who it belongs to and where.

Painful though it is, its nothing compared to the problems faced by guys that have lost their jobs this close to Christmas.

[Dan4th]

I still think some of the laid-off workers
might be interested in helping you to get
that prop functional, but maybe I'm just
being Stoopid.........

I've been Stoopid before.........

Danf.

[Richw_82]

Dan, Its not a stupid thought, but I think our prop is going to be the last thing in their minds after suddenly becoming unemployed this close to Christmas.

[Dan4th]

Well, it's possible they might prefer working
on a Shackleton Prop to watching Television
is all.......

It also might look good on a resume.......

Danf.

[ThePropKing]

welcome to IA Propman, just read your first post and I see that you say your dad was on shacks during his national service between `51 and `53, would he have been at Ballykelly in Northern Ireland at that time

The reason why I ask is because my late father was there as an airframes mechanic at the time and it would be good to meet someone who may have worked with him............

Many thanks Sploosher and all the other welcome messengers.
We will be turning up about 11am and dad is pleased as punch that someone wants to talk Shacks with him.
Sorry Sploosher but dad was at Aldergrove NI, which although not far from Ballykelly means they probably only met in the local pubs!!

Dad has 4 photos which were taken by the Station Photographer. He had to nag him for them as, at the time, it was not official RAF policy to allow photo's off camp!!! I'm sure you can read between the lines on that guys

The question is... how do i upload them please??

[Mayfly]

here you go PK

http://www.iconicaircraft.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=25&t=4798

[Xplumberlives]

Looking forward to seeing your scanned shots PK!

[Sploosher]

I too am looking forward to your pics PK

sorry that I got your name wrong in my first post to you...........

[ThePropKing]

here you go PK

http://www.iconicaircraft.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=25&t=4798

Cheers Mayfly. Ok guys here they come, hope you like them even tho 3 of them are a bit sameish...









Dad was 19 at the time and it was 120 Squadron.

[Xplumberlives]

You can tell they are the "OFFICIAL" view by the fact that the hats are on!

[Sooty655]

Great photos. Thanks, PK.

[Sploosher]

Thanks for the pics PK..............

I seem to recall that my father said he was on 204 or 240 squadron when he was at Ballykelly, I see that 206 were stationed there aswell.

I remember one story my dad told about when he was there of an exercise that was going on either in the north sea of the Atlantic, where one squadron was tasked to go and find HMS Vanguard http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/sh-f ... ngrd46.htm the intel officers said that she would be in such and such a location, but the pilot of one of the Shacks had other ideas and went in another direction, fortunately the battleship was where he thougth it would be, so some pictures were taken to prove that the pilot was correct, and somewhere, I have a mounted print that I did for my dad when I was stationed at Leuchars.

will try to scan the print and post it on here............

[Crew chief]

Its not really asking, more making sure they know who it belongs to and where.

Painful though it is, its nothing compared to the problems faced by guys that have lost their jobs this close to Christmas.

CFS has in the past helped and supported 655 MaPS and we got on with the guys there very well. We all hope they find other employment soon.


cc.