Shackleton WR963

[Dan4th]

I hope you find a fitting way to
memorialize his passing.....

Things like that, though, like
funerals, are really for the living...

I'm sure that his survivors will
be grateful for whatever you do
in his hono(u)r.....

Please let us know, too....

Dan4th

[Crew chief]

Only meet Don a few times but he knew his stuff and he will be sadly missed.

cc.

[Sploosher]

RIP Don,

I never (knowingly) met you, but thanks for all you did for 963...........

[MOD]

Commiserations to all at the SPT and to Don's family, especially at this time of the year.

Will there be a memorial plaque placed somewhere onboard 963? I suppose 963 herself will be a fitting memorial after all the time he has spent working on her with you guys.


ibw

[Richw_82]

Its likely that Don's name will be carried in WR963 somewhere. We'll no doubt be discussing it over the next few weeks.

Don first came across WR963 in the 1960's and posted a nice account of a flight across Africa on our old website. If its not been lost I'll try and get it posted up here as soon as I can.

Rich

[MOD]

Rich have you any idea who the display crew were in 1989?

I took this shot from the right hand seat at the Coningsby airshow in, I think, June of that year.




Note the stuff in the background.

ibw

[Richw_82]

Rich have you any idea who the display crew were in 1989?

I took this shot from the right hand seat at the Coningsby airshow in, I think, June of that year.
ibw

Awesome shot, and isn't it a shame we don't see airshow line ups like that so often now?

I don't have details of the crew but in later years when WR963 was displaying she was often flown by Sqn Ldr R Read. If I come across anything I'll let you know.

[MOD]

Thanks Rich; it would be nice to know who the guys were who made me so welcome aboard WR963.

Ian

[Richw_82]

Update time, but no pictures. (sorry)

Faced with a Shackleton shaped ice sculpture, this weekend was chosen to try and make some sense of parts of our store. We all moved off site, so apologies to anyone that showed up this Saturday and wondered where we all were.

This time in the store we weren't looking for anything in particular, we were trying to make sense of a large pile of packing crates that didn't have labels on. Some are known to be empty from when the parts were sent out to WL790, some have different items in to that which is suggested on the label.

After some joking discussion as to whether the boxes may contain long buried Spitfires or not, we set about removing them from the stack, opening them and logging the contents then packing them back up in an orderly fashion. No Spitfires, but we did find lots of useful parts - from complete Griffon engine banks, to header tanks, to mainwheel assemblies. Find of the day was a brand new in box Shackleton periscope. Despite best efforts we still haven't located some parts that we promised other Shackleton groups as the place is just that disorganised.

In other news... this coming week sees the long awaited meeting between our chairman and the airport with regards to the future. We're all eager for the outcome so we know where things are going to fall.

If it turns out that we can stay at Coventry, then things are looking up, as my own meetings and contact with the Trustees have gone fairly well. We now just need a bit of stability before any big decisions are acted upon.

More news (hopefully) towards the end of the week.

Kind regards

Rich

[Dan4th]

Your storage space sounds like
my attic and cellar

I'll bet you have more than a few
un-needed items that could be
auctioned-off for 963's benefit!

It's amazing what some people
might want as a memento....

Danf.

[Richw_82]

Some of it possibly will end up being swapped traded or sold, but not until we know fully what we have and what we are short of.

As for what its like in there? These guys were working over on the next stack of boxes.





Rich

[Ramshornvortex]

What is the section/reference for the Ark of the Covenant Rich? And have you got one spare please.....?

Come to think of it, a lot of the Shackleton dates from about the same time, doesn't it?

[Xplumberlives]

Your storage space sounds like
my attic and cellar

I'll bet you have more than a few
un-needed items that could be
auctioned-off for 963's benefit!

It's amazing what some people
might want as a memento....

Danf.

Cluny will be at the front of the queue!

[Richw_82]

I asked about the ark, its on back order.

Better news...

Following a very positive meeting today, we can confirm WR963 (and XV232) will be staying at Coventry. The airport operators have confirmed they have no wish to see us leave, and will be looking to find a solution that allows us to continue - and possibly further - our activities.

Exact details have yet to be worked out due to the redevelopment plans, but a certain Shackleton will be staying right where she is (give or take 1/2 a mile.)

Regards,

Rich

[Hazzer111]

I asked about the ark, its on back order.

Better news...

Following a very positive meeting today, we can confirm WR963 (and XV232) will be staying at Coventry. The airport operators have confirmed they have no wish to see us leave, and will be looking to find a solution that allows us to continue - and possibly further - our activities.

Exact details have yet to be worked out due to the redevelopment plans, but a certain Shackleton will be staying right where she is (give or take 1/2 a mile.)

Regards,

Rich

Great news rich, now to get that engine running!

Will 963 be getting a hanger?

[Xplumberlives]

Superb development Rich, onwards and onwards!

[Richw_82]

In the long term its always been the plan to get WR963 indoors. I can't see it happening immediately, but we do want it to happen in the next couple of years. We'll be going fundraising crazy in the new year, as part of that.

Once we know where we're going to be fitting in with the airport's vision of things we'll have a better idea of exactly what happens next. They (the airport chaps) were made aware we want to continue with engine runs and working towards taxying in the more immediate future.

Regards,
Rich

[MOD]

Great news Rich..



ibw

[Ipso]

That is good news Rich.

[Richw_82]

Dec 15th we're due to carry out a ground run if anyone is interested, as WR963 has been quiet since September. Its usually carried out around 1300hrs, but you're welcome to get there a bit earlier if you choose. Bear in mind that now Airbase is closed, your entry won't cost you anything but you will be restricted somewhat on where you can walk about in the immediate area.

WR963 will be open for inspection, but we will be asking for a donation on the door of the aircraft. There may be spaces available on the aircraft during the run.

Come on over and help support WR963!

[Xplumberlives]

Unfortunately I have a prior engagement on the 15th but I wish you well and hope you get plenty of visitors!

[Richw_82]

No worries. More runs and big things planned for the new year, so there'll be other opportunities!

[MOD]

I can't make Saturday but another floodlit engine run would be nice


ibw

[Richw_82]

Who knows what the future will bring if we can work well with the airport? I doubt it will be seen again this year though.

[Richw_82]

Today was well attended for WR963's last run of 2012, with even the weather being relatively gentle compared to the last few days. It was nice to meet some old friends - and make some new ones - including a gentleman who was an ex pilot of 37 Sqn, who flew a Shackleton in the Coronation review in 1953.

But the run wasn't as much the highlight of today as something else...

The highlight was this; the Trustees of the Shackleton Preservation Trust have given permission for work to continue once again towards returning WR963 to the skies. This is official and we are now in communication with the CAA regarding finding a way to make this happen. There is a lot of work ahead and a lot of things to be worked out; not least of which is whether the existing main spar booms can be safely used or whether total replacement is the only option.

We'll be keeping you updated on progress.

Regards,

Rich