As Richw_82 is rather sidetracked with the baby arrival, it’s up to me to tell you that engineering-wise, things are looking good so far. All four engines have been worked on and various other tasks nearly completed in readiness for a shake-down engine run soon.
But as part of the continued build-up of the publicity surrounding WR963, the website has received a much needed overhaul and was relaunched today! By all means have a look :eagerness:

http://www.avroshackleton.co.uk/

Whilst the winter engineering is going along at a steady pace, you may have assumed that the next update would be from richw_82 saying that we had worked our way through the list methodically as expected etc…
Well as far as the engineering goes, it’s business as usual with working parties progressing well, including sourcing some locally manufactured parts which saved the day when some originals were beyond further use or missing….

However, the big news in the middle of the month is that the Trust has a major sponsor providing the team with all the essential oils and lubricants required to complete the correct servicing schedules with the right products! Sil-Mid Ltd are locally based but a global supplier, and have shown a huge interest in the project and it’s future! The news is spreading fast on social media as well as the company’s own website, and their sponsorship deal is a massive lifeline for the project. 🙂

The trust’s website is soon to receive a makeover too, and it seems we are all over social media at the moment with this sponsorship…

And I have to say that I’m thoroughly enjoying getting my hands dirty again working with an amazing team at Coventry 🙂
I’m happily plugging away the project in every way I can and can’t wait to see the goal achieved!

Used to have one at Halton – R-R gift to the RAF. We used it for piston-engine ground running and loved the warm, comfy leather interior after cold, draughty and smelly Argosies!
But the again, we also used to drool over foot-long Ginsters sausage rolls from the NAAFI wagon. Times (and perspectives) have changed.

That very same Basset which I too remember having my first ground running experience on, still survives to this today and is now back at the Midland Air Museum after a long loan down at Bristol for many years!

Former Rolls Royce G-ASWJ or 8449M as it was known at Halton:

http://www.midlandairmuseum.co.uk/news.php?id=58

Is it really on one engine with 3 feathered props? Chuffin’ heck!!!!!

Finally got my Video sorted – here it is:

Now I would like to include all the vital links so that everyone can support WR963 and the team:

Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/avro.shackleton

http://www.facebook.com/ShackletonReturnToFlight

Website:

http://www.avroshackleton.co.uk

You can donate via Paypal:

http://www.avroshackleton.co.uk/fundraising

Twitter:

http://twitter.com/WR963

It was an absolutely amazing day spent at Coventry yesterday 🙂
Firstly I had been lucky enough to be invited over to witness one of the scheduled ground runs – from the inside! That made my day as it was my first chance of taking part in that….. only topped later on when the team announced that with Jon Corley flying back in later in the Venom, that they had everything in place at the right time to carry out this rare opportunity!
I did Video the taxy myself, but I’m currently editing it for the team as a thank you for a superb day…
Some of my photos from the earlier run:

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The immaculate rear desks

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Both starboard engines being exercised

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An atmospheric attempt of Richard Woods in the Flight Engineers position

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Another atmospheric attempt of Dave Woods in P1 position

I thought the same about the P1A’s lack of airbrakes? This photo of WG760 whilst at Henlow doesn’t seem to show any in this clear side view?

http://cdn-www.airliners.net/aviation-photos/photos/0/1/1/0876110.jpg

And this shot of WG763 now at Manchester… still nothing obvious in this close-up?

https://www.flickr.com/photos/egwu/5704488060/sizes/l