Duxford's Shackleton.

Given that some MR.3s were built 50 years ago has anyone got any pics of them in service, and as lots of them served many a year on fire dumps, some pics of them too.

Tim

When the GAM open days were part of the Southern Counties Vehicle show we used to be able to get insurance cover under their standard public liability policy. This changed a few years ago and we were told that a specific policy would be required to cover any insurance claims. The quotes for this policy ran into thousands, there was no way that we could afford these costs and any entrance charges would not come anywhere near paying for it. This had a demotivating effect on the crew keeping 982(J) running and as a result it has had only small amounts of work done on it for the past 4-5 years. Only in the last few months have we started work to bring her back into full running condition. This is partly in anticipation of WR982s birthday (she was “born” on the 11th of June 1957, according to the data plate in the nose wheel bay). The decision as to what form the celebration will take is still to be made, for the reasons given above this is very unlikley to be a public occasion.

We would like very much to share the sound of 4 griffons growling above the noise of departing airliners, but……

There appears to be a lot of 50th Anniversary activity this year for the Shackleton Mk3.

See link below

http://www.newarkairmuseum.org/specialevents.htm

try clicking on this:- http://www.gatwick-aviation-museum.co.uk/shack/shack.html

I think it was the Broussard. At around the same time, the Plane Sailing Pilatus P2 was blown into the fence and was badly damaged; it never flew again. 🙁

Undoubtedly it was the Broussard, I have an old copy of Aeroplane magazine detailing the incident, but just can’t lay my hands on it at the moment.

Thank you all for your comments. My mother has pictures of my Dad holding me, as a baby, in front of the Shack in Sep 73, and Duxford has been at least an annual pilgrimage ever since!

I wasn’t aware of the Gatwick museum, let alone its Shackletons!!!

I’ll google it later, but does anyone have images??

C6.

When the GAM open days were part of the Southern Counties Vehicle show we used to be able to get insurance cover under their standard public liability policy. This changed a few years ago and we were told that a specific policy would be required to cover any insurance claims. The quotes for this policy ran into thousands, there was no way that we could afford these costs and any entrance charges would not come anywhere near paying for it. This had a demotivating effect on the crew keeping 982(J) running and as a result it has had only small amounts of work done on it for the past 4-5 years. Only in the last few months have we started work to bring her back into full running condition. This is partly in anticipation of WR982s birthday (she was “born” on the 11th of June 1957, according to the data plate in the nose wheel bay). The decision as to what form the celebration will take is still to be made, for the reasons given above this is very unlikley to be a public occasion.

We would like very much to share the sound of 4 griffons growling above the noise of departing airliners, but……

WR982 used to get run on public open days, but not any more, since the public open days stopped in 2001.

Why did the public open days stop?

Another picture of XF708 at Duxford taken in the winter sunshine two weeks ago 15/01/07

http://www.planepictures.net/netshow.php?id=578935

thanks!

She does look a little bit healthier!? Is that a repaint job ongoing or is it a good pressure wash down?

Check the news and links page, there is one pic of her taken last weekend

http://www.duxford-update.info/

Thanks guys

She looks like she has a brighter future then? I imagine with the expanded hangar they will go back to keeping her intact?! Does anyone have recent pics of her as the last ones I saw showed very faded paint etc.

I seem to recall the Broussard was blown into the Shack’s prop?
Tim

Think it was when it was blown into the Wessex or vise-versa when it was outside T2 back in the 1980’s. Or was it the Broussard…………….
’80’s….bit of a blur! 🙂

how did the prop get bent?

a friend who works there said it’s in the queue for work after the Victor

Glad to hear the old grey lady is getting some attention and hoping she makes it inside, whole. Never ceases to amaze me that there are more Lancs under cover in the UK than this breed which only retired in the 90’s.

lack of inhibiting? bah!, no problem. 982’s donks had been seized solid for 15 years before it arrived at GAM. 😉

I think it might be news to the IWM that the Shack was flown into DX as a flying exhibit, especially given the condition of the main spar at the time, (as with most MR 3s).

Given that the engines weren’t inhibited when it flew in your optimism may be a little misplaced in that area as well. ;).

That would be excellent news if the Duxford Shack can be kept in one piece….

And is there room indoors in the new space or perhaps in one of the other hangars then?…as she would be the only perserved indoors Mk3 correct in the UK…just hope she ain’t hung rom the ceiling:rolleyes:

XF708 flew in to Duxford from Kemble on the 23 sept 1972.

She has over thirty years at Duxford and very little attention done to it.

The Shacks down at Charlwood near Gatwick get some attention to them as they are kept with help from friends and on there open days they run them up.

Nice for the neigbours.

Not quite, WR982 used to get run on public open days, but not any more, since the public open days stopped in 2001. WR974, has never run, all 4 engines are seized, and theres no point in changing that, since finances, spares and manpower wouldn’t stretch anywhere near far enough to keep two shacks live.

XF708 is actually an inherantly better airframe than both of the two at GAM, since it has never been taken apart. She’s catching up pretty fast, last I saw 708 is starting to look quite smart. Gam crew could have xf708 up and running in 6 months over the summer no problem:) , it presents very few difficulties in comparison to the mamoth task WR982 presented.

XF708 flew in to Duxford from Kemble on the 23 sept 1972.

She has over thirty years at Duxford and very little attention done to it.

The Shacks down at Charlwood near Gatwick get some attention to them as they are kept with help from friends and on there open days they run them up.

Nice for the neigbours.

What would you say to someone who lives near the Gatwick Aviation Museum?

Anything you like, they can’t hear you!

I first went to Duxford in about 1984 and then the Shackleton was under cover. However, the next time I went (probably the year after) it was outside and has been ever since. Externally at any rate, the Gatwick ones look much better (and you can go inside one of them, looks alright inside as well)

XF708 flew in to Duxford from Kemble on the 23 sept 1972.

She has over thirty years at Duxford and very little attention done to it.

The Shacks down at Charlwood near Gatwick get some attention to them as they are kept with help from friends and on there open days they run them up.

Nice for the neigbours.