The DC-6 Diner had a ‘Closed until Further Notice’ sign put up around the end of October last year. As of last week it was still that way.

I’m not going to let Graham (Blue) play the modest type here, the lions share of the work is being carried out by him alone. The duties and responsibilities of being a Dad have pared my time down for working on aircraft, so I manage on once a month trips or sneaking bits away to refurbish as homework, and I know similar restraints in terms of distance and circumstance affect other members of our small team.

Despite this not inconsiderable handicap 2018 is going to see our little jet transformed into a very smart and presentable exhibit that any museum would be proud of; but most of all it will be a visible example to Graham’s perseverance, motivation and competence at this kind of thing. He’s my best friend, – but I’ll only admit now we’re a little way along with things that even I couldn’t quite see the road out of the puddle at the back of the hangar going this far, or this well. He could, and his determination to see it done hasn’t wavered once.

Well done mate. I’m looking forward to the day any help I give will let you light that first Derwent.

Rich

Being knowledgeable doesn’t necessarily make you right, especially when you miss the point by a wide mark. What Shorty01 was getting at is that a good proportion of people on this forum concentrate on other types that don’t have a Merlin up front – and thats fine. The world will still turn. But out there in that world people aren’t going to give you the amount of support needed to purchase, restore and operate that type. Airbase/Classic Flight found that out with Classic Air Force, as did I when I was trying hard to sell the Shackleton as a project to anyone who stopped long enough to listen.

The hard fact is enthusiasm only gets you so far. Then you need money.

Rich

(and seriously….’diss’…?)

Fantastic news!!

After seeing this old girl sat looking derelict at Coventry Airport and then quietly for all those years in store, I hoped so much that it would get restored rather than become spares for another. This has made my day.

Regards,

Rich

I think Fournier Boy means in terms of being put to its original use rather than displayed.

Given the blade life your prop probably went through a number of Shackletons before ending its life on WL757! In terms of value the last matched set of three I saw that had paperwork went for £1500, and there were a couple of sets sold recently when Bill Richards’ estate was disposed of that went for similar money.

I haven’t got a photo of a Lancaster’s fuel caps, but as far as I know they’re pretty similar to this one (Shackleton).