An update on a moment in history!
Since our last review of activities, a lot of work has been ongoing in the background by our incredible volunteers. Months of planning came to fruition on Saturday April 9th when we made a little bit of history when we carried paying passengers onboard WR963 for not one, but two taxy runs carried out by our Chief Pilot Jon Corley assisted by our highly experienced onboard crew.
Prior to this momentous day, preparations had included a big wash day to remove accumulated algae and residue which had settled over the winter period and changed the white surfaces into a slight camouflage appearance! Much work has also been carried out on the engine issues which had bothered the team recently, with magneto and fuel pump niggles to overcome particularly on No.2 engine. Luckily for us, not only do we have spares available, but our own knowledgeable ex-Shackleton Chief Engineer Druid Petrie able to pluck essential data from his memory as if it was yesterday, rather than 1991 when he last had the pleasure of engineering outside in all the weather that Scotland could aim at him and his colleagues….
Several test runs of all engines were carried out in the weeks prior to the big day, and all seemed good for us to have a special reason to enjoy our moment!
Not content with dealing with just the aircraft, huge strides had been made by our illustrious chairman Dave Woods at meetings with the Airport Management at Coventry who have helped us enormously since the demise last year of the resident “Airbase” and “Classic Air Force” operations. We not only received sponsorship from the airport which is helping financially towards the costs of being on site, but we were also offered the use of a large portacabin which had previously been the Visitor Reception for Airbase! The airport’s help means that we finally have somewhere undercover to act as a welcoming visitor centre and shop, but also a crewroom for our hard working team to have a much needed brew….
Saturday 9th April finally arrived, and the arriving volunteer team who had travelled from far and wide were greeted with pleasant sunshine! We were busy right from the moment of arrival with a quick set-up of our new shop and crewroom facilities, as well as starting to prepare the aircraft. Well that should have been the plan, but your ever-busy publicity officer had other ideas, and made everyone stop and stare by arriving in our brand new support vehicle which has been loaned to us by our other new partnership with SsangYong GB. The pick-up truck is complete with sign writing and will appear at events towing our Shackleton nose section amongst other duties!
After a crew briefing, we all set about preparing WR963 to be towed out onto the concrete ready for her performances later on, and also greeted the visitors who had started to arrive for their unique experience…
Part of our plan involved pairing up public with key volunteers so that they could take an active part in some of the vital pre-taxy preparations themselves! That was hugely enjoyed by all, and gave a small insight into how hard we work to achieve just one day in the life of our aircraft!
The next stage was another unique treat – lunch with some of our crew onboard the resident DC6 Diner which has recently re-opened as both a cafe and formal diner! The public really seemed to enjoy chatting to us whilst gazing out across the airfield and eating a fine meal…
After lunch, the pace quickened as we finished off a few tours onboard, and finally got the teams mustered prior to start for the first of two taxy runs! All seemed to be going well until one of our crew spotted a broken brake hose, which couldn’t be changed right away, and so was capped and isolated from the rest of the system to the satisfaction of our pilot.
The crew may have been nervous inside, but showed little sign of that as they climbed onboard with our first group of public. As soon as Jon Corley had obtained clearance, it was time to start those mighty Griffons! All went well, and after clearing the start crew and equipment away, Jon eased WR963 out onto the taxiway and trundled slowly down to Bravo Apron, turned, and then came back! Of course we couldn’t just leave it there, so whilst alongside the “Airlock” gate adjacent to the old Airbase hangar, Jon stopped, and opened up the throttles for a few minutes of “Griffon Growl” resonating across Coventry, and shaking the ground where our groundcrew stood….
Once back at our allocated parking area, the aircraft was shut down for a brief rest, and once the entire onboard crew and public were disembarked, a group photo was taken in front of the star of the day!
The crew carried out a turnaround check on the aircraft whilst the public passengers went off to get their souvenir certificates and have a brew with the rest of our team.
Second group were mustered, crew found from their hiding places near the tea urn, and it was time for the second taxy run, or so we thought!
Once we had got everyone onboard and secured the door, Jon started going through the usual pre-starting checks…. only to pause when it came to requesting our usual fire cover from the airport’s fire station only a few hundred metres away. After what seemed like an age, the welcome sight of a fire truck who had been rather busy on a tea break meant that we could carry on with our rigorous checklists.
Engine start seemed to go ok on the starboard side, but when it came to the port side, No.2 engine was reluctant to start! Knowing that we may have faced a ‘hot start’ situation with a small risk of exhaust fires, we were being extremely cautious with this second start. After starting No.1 engine whilst resting the starter motor on No.2 engine, this was tried again, and finally came to life, albeit with a resounding backfire that gave a brief scare to our crew-chief standing only a few metres away on the comms lead….
With all four running, it was time to go for another trundle around the taxiway, which followed the same pattern as the first, almost! On the return stop by the airlock gate and the higher rpm blast – the watching team wondered why No.2 Engine seemed to be running slightly rougher than the others, which soon manifested itself into a premature shut-down of that engine! With due consideration given by the team onboard to the prospect of slow taxying being made difficult with asymmetric power, it was decided to also shut down No.3 engine too, leaving both outboard engines to provide the means to taxy back the short distance to the parking area…
Once all had gone quiet again, the entire onboard crew and public posed once more for the group photo, and the public made their way over to our crewroom as the weather had declined somewhat during the late afternoon. This left the crew to debrief with our pilot on the engineering situation with our beloved aircraft…
Typically for aircrew, the engineers gave him a near perfectly serviceable aircraft to go and play with, and it came back with a list of ‘snags’ which aircrew expect to be easily fixed in time for their next sortie…… but we really like our pilot so we are only too happy to get dirty once again and repair the issues, test it all again, and get WR963 ready for her next starring role!
To summarise the issues left with us as our pilot made his way home:
No.2 engine ignition issues to be investigated as not only was it reluctant to start, but ran rough on the second run, before finally shutting down completely.
No.1 engine seen to develop a small oil leak underneath, which needs investigating by closer inspection with the cowlings off.
One brake hose to be changed
Hydraulic system to be investigated as we found that the handpump handle locating bracket had sheared off and caused the handpump handle to strike an adjacent hydraulic pipe resulting in a breakage and subsequent total loss of the hydraulic system.
Anyone familiar with aircraft will know that these engineering challenges are just part of what we expect when dealing with a 62 year old airframe, and we will just fix her up and carry on smiling as usual!
After an exceptionally long day, the last few team members left the site after 8pm leaving WR963 resting in her usual parking position on the grass. It took a few days for most of us to recover from this one, but we would do it all again without question!
By creating this event, we hope to have given an insight into just what is involved in maintaining our Shackleton, and given the paying public a real hands-on experience that they won’t forget in a hurry! Every single person onboard went home smiling, despite the weather change in the afternoon, and some are coming back for more now that they have experienced the appeal of the Avro Shackleton close up!
Without doubt, the day was a success, and raised vital monies towards keeping WR963 alive and moving towards our long-term goal of return-to-flight! We are fully aware that she needs to be run on a regular basis to keep all systems healthy, and are already planning more events like this throughout the year! Our website and social media will give more on these as soon as we can!
Finally, and on a nice note to finish with, it was especially wonderful to see Richard Woods pay is a visit to see how we were getting on! Richard had been a vital part of the team for many years before personal circumstances meant that he had to take a break from the constant travelling to Coventry, but couldn’t resist a return to see how the old girl was behaving!
George Aldrich by Pete Buckingham, on Flickr
Andy Rowlands 1 by Pete Buckingham, on Flickr
George Aldrich 4 by Pete Buckingham, on Flickr
George Aldrich 2 by Pete Buckingham, on Flickr
Aaron Hiscock 2 by Pete Buckingham, on Flickr
Ian Preece by Pete Buckingham, on Flickr
Andy Jones 1 by Pete Buckingham, on Flickr
George Aldrich 5 by Pete Buckingham, on Flickr
SPT Edit by Pete Buckingham, on Flickr
Hope you enjoyed this very brief review of our historical day, and we hope to see you all down at Coventry soon!
Regards
Pete Buckingham
Publicity Officer
Just a reminder that our Hangar Appeal is still looking for your help if you can please!
We’re some way off the target figure to be able to book the space to get WR963 inside for the vital NDT checks to be carried out!
No NDT, NO chance of flying the Old Grey Lady…. it really is that vital that we can fund the costs of the hangar fees. Please donate if you can, and please share this post around on your profile, your friend’s profiles, any aviation forums you belong to, in fact anywhere you can PLEASE!!!!
http://www.avroshackleton.co.uk/fundraising.html
Hangar Appeal Logo by Pete Buckingham, on Flickr
A timely nudge about our Hangar Appeal! We still need your help if possible please, we’re some way off the target figure to be able to book the space to get WR963 inside for the vital NDT checks to be carried out!
No NDT, NO chance of flying the Old Grey Lady…. it really is that vital that we can fund the costs of the hangar fees. Please donate if you can, and please share this post around on your profile, your friend’s profiles, any aviation forums you belong to, in fact anywhere you can PLEASE!!!!
http://www.avroshackleton.co.uk/fundraising.html
Hangar Appeal Logo by Pete Buckingham, on Flickr
Hangar Appeal!
We have an important letter from our chairman Dave Woods to share with you all please!
Hello all,
Avro Shackleton WR963 needs YOUR help as a matter of urgency, let me explain why….
We have been told by the Airport Management here at Coventry, who by the end of this month will have ownership of Hangar 7, that we CAN have time in the hangar to do the much needed NDT testing on the Wing Spars. The down side is that we will of course have to pay for it. As many of you will know, the successful “Kickstarter appeal” last year has covered the funding for the testing, but not the time in the hangar as we had an arrangement with Airbase which, given that they are now closed, is no longer in force.
Why is it urgent?
There are plans for the future of the airport, no it’s not going to close or be built on, but we may not have access to Hangar 7 after this year; and of course hangarage is on a first-come, first-served basis.
We need you to put your hands in your pockets and donate to this Hangar Appeal. Hangarage for half of Hangar 7 for the year is around £70k. Whilst this would be nice, it’s not what we need. Some of XH558’s engineers (yes that’s right – the Vulcan) have helped us in their free time, with the schedules for the NDT work, and it is estimated that the work could be done in around 14 weeks. This would bring the cost down to around £20k. WE NEED TO GET HER IN THE HANGAR as this work cannot be carried out in the open air. As you know, this is a significant step towards putting a Shackleton back in the air in the UK.
We need you to donate, so what will you all get out of it?
To all those donating £30 or more – you will receive a frameable certificate stating that you helped get 963 undercover for the NDT work. You will also get your name in a Supporters Log to be kept onboard 963 in perpetuity.
I hope you feel that you can help in this and put 963 back in her element.
You can donate here: [URL=”We have an important letter from our chairman Dave Woods to share with you all please! Hello all, Avro Shackleton WR963 needs YOUR help as a matter of urgency, let me explain why…. We have been told by the Airport Management here at Coventry, who by the end of this month will have ownership of Hangar 7, that we CAN have time in the hangar to do the much needed NDT testing on the Wing Spars. The down side is that we will of course have to pay for it. As many of you will know, the successful “Kickstarter appeal” last year has covered the funding for the testing, but not the time in the hangar as we had an arrangement with Airbase which, given that they are now closed, is no longer in force. Why is it urgent? There are plans for the future of the airport, no it’s not going to close or be built on, but we may not have access to Hangar 7 after this year; and of course hangarage is on a first-come, first-served basis. We need you to put your hands in your pockets and donate to this Hangar Appeal. Hangarage for half of Hangar 7 for the year is around £70k. Whilst this would be nice, it’s not what we need. Some of XH558’s engineers (yes that’s right – the Vulcan) have helped us in their free time, with the schedules for the NDT work, and it is estimated that the work could be done in around 14 weeks. This would bring the cost down to around £20k. WE NEED TO GET HER IN THE HANGAR as this work cannot be carried out in the open air. As you know, this is a significant step towards putting a Shackleton back in the air in the UK. We need you to donate, so what will you all get out of it? To all those donating £30 or more – you will receive a frameable certificate stating that you helped get 963 undercover for the NDT work. You will also get your name in a Supporters Log to be kept onboard 963 in perpetuity. I hope you feel that you can help in this and put 963 back in her element. You can donate here and please state “Hangar Appeal” so that we can put your name in the log.”, and please state “Hangar Appeal” so that we can put your name in the log.
Hangar Appeal Logo by Pete Buckingham, on Flickr
The Team had a good day working on ‘963’ on Saturday 27th February, isolating the problem that stopped No.1 Engine starting on the last ground run. It was found to be a faulty solenoid valve in the fuel priming circuit. After stripping and cleaning it, the valve was refitted and tested. All appears to be working correctly now. Other work included servicing the port side priming pump which required new shims, checking the gearbox oil levels on each power plant, more names added to the bomb bay, batteries removed ready for replacement and work continues on the plotting table. Towards the end of the day engine covers were strapped over the Griffons to safeguard the work. Congratulations and many thanks to all the members of the Team for their help today. Great work done.
And finally…..
We have just ONE place left onboard on our first taxy run of 2016 on April 9th!
Still plenty of ‘ringside’ places available on the ground, but for that extra special day out, the place onboard offers the chance to become an honorary crew member for the day, helping prepare WR963 for her activities, then stopping for lunch with the crew, before climbing onboard and enjoying the spectacle of seeing how she comes alive and stretches her legs at Coventry Airport! Plenty of opportunities for photos too, and of course we will have our SPT merchandise available too! All those onboard also take home various momentos of their special day!
See our website for more details, and please remember this is a ‘first come first served’ offer!!!!!
Taxy Run Poster by Pete Buckingham, on Flickr
Firstly in response to the mention of our Kickstarter project in a couple of comments above – we have finally got the T-Shirt supplier sorted and having seen the finished result I can assure those who waited a long time for their T-Shirts that you should have received them now and hope you like them!
Now for the latest news update:
Following our winter servicing period, the Trust planned to awaken WR963 from her ‘winter slumber’ on Saturday 13th February by holding a special “Valentine Ground Run” open to visitors! A large contingent of volunteers assembled at Coventry Airport by mid-morning, and there seemed to be a definite sense of purpose as the aircraft was prepared for her first ground run of 2016. Some last-minute engineering tasks were completed in reasonable weather, and a small group of visitors were shown around both WR963 and VP293, our neighbouring travelling nose section, as the groundcrew got 963 ready for her scheduled 13:30 start time.
Once everyone was onboard and the steps removed, 963 was ready, and the start sequence commenced. Except this was no ordinary start-up, as we had crew in training too, so our latest Flight Engineer In Training – Mario Mclaughlin sat in control of all four mighty Griffon engines for his first ‘live’ run!
The usual sequence of start-up was carried out with No.3 first, followed by No.4, then No.2, and finally No.1…….. well that was the plan? We had been more concerned about No.2 engine following replacement of the Injector Pump recently, but this engine started with relative ease! No.1 engine however, seemed reluctant to show any signs of fuel flowing to it, despite several attempts made to start it. The onboard crew eventually decided to abandon further attempts at starting it to save excessive wear on the starter, and continued the run on 3 engines only. Once fully warmed up, the 3 engines were taken up to 2150rpm for brief periods, which made sure everyone heard that distinctive growl for sure….
Once the run had been completed, and all engines shut down, the team descended on the reluctant No.1 engine to carry out some tests to see where the fault lay. Very soon it became apparent that we had a sticky solenoid as the culprit, which decided to suddenly work again when power was applied during ground testing. Our Chief Engineer decided to try a test run of No.1 engine only, but by this time our Trolley Acc ground power supply had suffered a voltage drop in the cold weather which by this time made it impossible to get enough power to start engines at all. With the weather closing in and a tired crew, it was decided to leave further testing until our next engineering visit and to recharge the Trolley Acc power supply fully too…
Other tasks carried out that day were the continued application of more Bomb Bay Door names for those supporters who have donated to the project via our website, as well as a good spring clean inside the fuselage. Noticeable on the day was how the winter weather has given 963 a coating of dirty residue, so we are looking at a special ‘Wash Day” coming soon to bring back some of that sparkle on 963!
There are other tasks to be completed in readiness for her next BIG day in April when we plan to Taxy 963 with paying guests onboard for the first time! Places are limited onboard, and they are selling fast if you want to experience the unique sights and sounds of being onboard a Shackleton as she trundles around Coventry Airport! We’re making that a special full day’s experience for you too, with lunch with the crew and making sure you will go away with some lasting memories of being onboard! We will also welcome visitors to watch the Taxy Run from the ground too, and all details are on our website of course!
Taxy Run Poster by Pete Buckingham, on Flickr
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