Sad and sorry at Long Marston.

More photos of the remaining aircraft left to rot…

http://www.urbanghostsmedia.com/2012/04/abandoned-aircraft-graveyard-at-long-marston-airfield/

By the look of the other engine on the Shackleton, a cover is hanging from it making it harder to see the external condition of the engine.

The Meteor is just visible from the fence behind the Shackleton. I may go for another wander when the weather perks up (and before the brambles take hold!) and see if I can get a shot or two.

The missing plane is, I think, a heavily stripped Meteor. At least that is the one that appears on less legally-concerned photo forums.

We tried, several times, to get any sort of a reply about the Whirlwind or the Meteor as we have an available site and a real desire to save one (or both). In fact we even considered the Shack, as our site was big enough – but could never even get a reply from anyone regarding any of the airframes.

Sadly, based on our experience, I think they will sit there until they are just rough aircraft shapes in the ground.

Thanks – It’s a Nikon D330s. Lovely camera and very pleased with the results – just need to get to grips with the numerous functions!

Nice shots Growler. Thanks. As a matter of interest which new camera did you opt for?

Here is a shot taken in 2010 from the other side showing the other remaining engine on WR985.

http://www.flickriver.com/photos/fryske/4548656377/

Yeah from what I can see on the side in the shots posted above. In the photos I have seen, it looks like 2 engines are still on the aircraft but not been able to view the remaining engine on the other side properly to see what condition it’s in.

Is it me or has the upper engine mounts on the shack given way?

I don’t understand what the owners have to gain from letting these aircraft just rot away. Might be some parts that could be salvaged to help other projects. WR985 is 55 years old this year and just sitting rotting away. I would be happy to move it if the owner can’t afford or be bothered to do anything with the aircraft.

I was thinking similar about the chair. 🙂

I did see those – there are some shots on flickr of the inside of the Shack as well. I reckon a Shackleton swivel chair would look great in my home office (not that I’m suggesting one will go missing!!). Having been inside one of the Gatwick examples the contrast is incredible. I do wonder how long these will linger before the inevitable occurs.

Sad to see WR985 in such a bad state. Here are some shots taken 2 years ago (including some from inside).

http://www.28dayslater.co.uk/forums/showthread.php/56819-Long-Marston-Air-Museum-Remains-Of-Jan-11

I think it’s XP346.

I can’t quite make out the Whirlwind registration – is it XP345?

Long Marston in the snow.

As were were passing by Long Marston on the way home from a sledging expedition I thought I’d call in and take some shots of the poor unfortunates in the snow:

Shackleton in the snow at Long Marston. by The Guitarsmith, on Flickr

Shackleton in the snow at Long Marston. by The Guitarsmith, on Flickr

Sea Prince in the snow at Long Marston. by The Guitarsmith, on Flickr

Whirlwind in the snow at Long Marston. by The Guitarsmith, on Flickr

I have to say that they look even more sorry for themselves when the sun isn’t shining.

Well at least some have them have gone on to better homes. There was something tucked behind the Shackleton, but as the Shack was my main point of interest I took little notice of it. A bit of googling tells me it’s a Meteor.

The Canberra went to Malta

The Dove is still alive (though not too well just yet) at The Aeropark at East Midlands.

Is that Dove 6 G-ANUW in the background? In 1970 I made 3 flights in the righthand seat of this nice aircraft. What a shame that she ended this way.

Yes, I was intrigued by those – they look like they are under the bomb bay doors in Mart’s older shot. I wondered if they were nacelles of the Shack but I’m not sure.

The Aeropark is another place pretty local to me that I need to visit – probably ten years since I last went.

Hi Growler, yes I thought they were the nacelles from the rear end of the inboard engines. When I was taking these pics there was also a Whirlwind helicopter and a Canberra, just out of sight of the Shackleton in my photo, which at the time looked in very good shape. Regarding the Whirlwind & the Canberra, maybe they also went to Aeroventure, but not sure. I will get round to scanning them soon as they were from prints.

Martin

Yes, I was intrigued by those – they look like they are under the bomb bay doors in Mart’s older shot. I wondered if they were nacelles of the Shack but I’m not sure.

The Aeropark is another place pretty local to me that I need to visit – probably ten years since I last went.