VP293 stripped out – pictures

Well VP293 was a hit at Dawlish, our guys reckon there must have been 400 people through her.

Next up is Wellesbourne…

Rich

Cheers for the compliments guys, its very much appreciated.

I have to say it wouldn’t have been possible to get VP293 this far without several kind donations made; some from members on here.

I’m really pleased VP293 is getting back to health, and that we can get the nose around to shows. There’s several people on our team (me included) got interested in Shackletons partly through Norman Thelwell and Tony Raybole taking the nose around airshows, so its been a pleasant task to work on this aircraft. There’s still more to do, but that will come in time.

We were hoping to have it presentable in pilots/copilots area ready for Wellesbourne Wings and Wheels, then a supreme effort by the guys over the bank holiday made it available for Dawlish.

Regarding the panels we need making; Engineers panel, and a couple of other small ones in the same area. We have the drawings, so its just a matter of finding somewhere to have them made. I know a few people on here do panel projects, so was wondering if anyone had any recommendations.

Regards,

Rich

ps. Just had a phonecall saying VP293 has just arrived safely in Dawlish. The crew are now looking for well deserved refreshments.

Hi Rich, I can’t really help, but which panels do you need making up? The pilots main panel seems to be in place, guessing you need engineers panel?

Good to hear that it will be on show at the weekend, and great work done in resurrecting the old girl.

Having read through this thread in its entirety I can agree wholeheartedly with some of the comments here regarding how some of you may wish to “introduce” themselves to the person or persons who robbed this old girl out.

I can only offer that the disgraceful and selfish behaviour of that individual has been equalled, nay exceeded, by the generosity of spirit and genuine desire to help by those few of you who have managed (and are still doing so) to put the old Shack back to how it was for Mr. Thelwell.

Well done chaps. It’s heartening to know there are still good folk around.

Anon.

Great to see it coming back together,your initial photos are heartbreaking (SCUMBAGS) I have no Shack stuff, but various spare switches/fittings(generic) should you need any for remaking panels etc.Well done!! gives me a little faith back in human nature to see all the help you`ve received.

I’ve just been informed VP293 is currently on route to Dawlish for the airshow this weekend. Well done to my team, especially Mark Chitty who is Zebedee’s caretaker this weekend.

Rich

A little update on VP293.

Various small parts have been turning up, including the R1155 set I mentioned some time ago. One of the things that has been daunting us was the seat that was missing. Both seats had been disconnected, and the co-pilots one had disappeared.

Through a mention in e-mail, VP293 has now acquired a new seat, genuine Shackleton, thanks to the Hencken family. Dave Hencken had a Shackleton seat presented to him in the mid 1980’s when he was CO of 8 Sqn, and used it as his office chair over the years.

It arrived at Coventry today, and was fitted into VP293 by a couple of us from the SPT.

“Zebedee” has already been requested for a couple of shows this year, and if we can up the pace a little he might just make it.

If anybody can get instrument panels cut, or has a contact that can do it, I’d appreciate a little help here. I can supply the blueprints necessary for measurements.

Regards,

Rich

One of those yokes looks familiar….

Looking very good, well done to all involved!

Kind Regards,
Scotty

I hope so! The engineers panels are going away soon to get laser cut. All dimensions are being taken from the original T4 drawings.

Excellent progress and result there Rich, hopefully Norman can feel happy about this cockpit again.

Stunning Rich, a great sight to see!!

Had to post this to show you all…

Taken by Paul Cooper, posted to our ‘Avro Shackleton’ facebook page.

VP293, as at 28th January 2012.

😀

That sounds really good of Scotty, a Shack yoke must be a difficult item to let go of.
Nice to know that work on VP293 is progressing well.:)

Not as hard to let go of as it was to find!!! Took me a good few years. But glad it went to a good home. Even better, it looks as though the yoke was a MK 1 item….

There was a genuine need for it with VP293 so it wasn’t a hard decision.

Kind Regards,
Scotty

I honestly can’t thank Scotty enough… items like the yoke are priceless. I’ve got to check off the part number on the tag, but it appears it may be an unused MR1 item.

I find it staggering that people will let items like this go, to help us restore VP293 to its former glory. It gives you faith in the preservation community.

If the work continues at the pace it is going we may get “Zebedee” to one or two shows next year. Fingers crossed…

That sounds really good of Scotty, a Shack yoke must be a difficult item to let go of.
Nice to know that work on VP293 is progressing well.:)

The replacement yoke, kindly donated by Scotty, arrived today. It is in spectacular condition, and will be meeting VP293 on Thursday next week when I take a wander over to Coventry.

The actual fitting will be left to our man Vic Marriott, who has been diligently working away at repairing and making right the old damage.

Photo’s to be posted here when I get back.

Regards,

Rich

Scotty,

Thanks for the pm, and for the yoke. VP293 is tucked up and warm in the AIRBASE hangar now over winter, so she’ll be getting some replacement windscreens and other parts in the next few months.

Sad the way that Scotland’s Shackleton heritage has been lost so quickly. The way fate works though, you could see a Shackleton up there again. Who can say?

Merry Christmas,

Rich

On its way

Rich, you have a PM.

Original Yoke on its way. Maybe if Santa gets his skates on you’ll have it for Christmas.
Another Shack bit leaves Scotland. Shame there is not an airframe here, as they are just as relevant if not more than Cornwall having served in Morayshire for 40 years….

Kind Regards,
Scotty

Scotty,

No hurry. The replica’s pretty good, it’s had a few visitors fooled. I’ve told Gary he need to start a production line!

Kind regards,

Rich

I’ve not forgotten….

Rich,

I’ve not forgotten the other yoke…. I’m still bouncing about on a boat in the North Sea between 10m waves. Should be in port and home in the next week, and I’ll deal with it then.

Kind Regards,
Scotty