Shackleton 63 Speaks, Plus Midland Air Museum pics

[Blue_2]

My better half and I were invited down to Coventry this weekend to visit our friends at Shackleton WR963. We were lured down by the promise of much noise being made! As mentioned in Rich's thread time was against the team in the run up to the event, so only 3 engines could be run on the day. That's still plenty though!



She looks excellent with her full compliment of props fitted now

Prior to running there was a curious ritual carried out in front of each engine that us jet aircraft types don't have to indulge in; it was likened to morris dancing but with a Griffon rather than a Maypole!

And then the Griffons spoke

Some shots of her running while we were waiting to step aboard







Leading light of the SPT and absolute gentleman Sdn Ldr John Cubberley with 'his' machine

Rich hard at work

After the run there was a very special ceremony. In the nose of the Shack 1 VP293 also in the SPT's care there now resides a very special item

This co-pilot's seat was formerly the late Gp Capt Dave Hencken's office chair. After he passed away his family decided it should return to the cockpit of a Shack, and on Saturday the seat was officially dedicated.
A view of the fully propped port side form the nose turret

I also paid a visit to some of the other aircraft on site before they migrate



The Nimrod seems to have gained a problem with its flaps since our last visit

Many thanks to Rich and the team for the day (and the post-run beers and banter!), I'll put some pics up from Sunday's visit to the neighbouring Midland Air Museum soon too.

[Jigsaw]

Great pics mate

[Dan4th]

That's a fine set of photos, Mister Blue!

Thank you for the time it took to post 'em

Danf.

[Hihonyr8811]

Oh how brilliant love the "morris dancing"

And the the Dak obviously

[Richw_82]

The 'Morris Dance' protects the big Griffons. We have a high pressure oil pump running and it gets rid of the 4mins or so that certain parts of the engine don't get oil after start up; drastically reducing wear.

This is something the BBMF and other operators don't have to worry about too much as they run far more frequently than we do, but anything over 7 days without running and pre-oiling is required.

Sorry again we didn't get four engines running, chaps. Give us a few weeks and we'll have another shot at it.

Rich

[Blue_2]

She'll be ready when she's ready Rich. And we'll be there!

Following on from our trip to Airbase to see the Shackleton, we used the Sunday for a trip to Midland Air Museum. It's a nice little museum, with a surprising amount to see and access to Vulcan, Argosy and Hind when we visited. Shame the weather was poor, but you can't have everything. Anyway...
Whitley section

Meteor

Sea Vixen

Vulcan, looking well after a recent repaint



Boulton Paul P.111

Argosy

Hunter F.6a

Canberra art

Super Sabre tail. Slightly scorched...

Viscount, being washed in the rain. That's dedication!



SHAR

MiG Killer F4

Soggy Saudi

Meteor

Canberra nose

And the F101 Voodoo

The only downer for me? (apart from the weather turning wet) This:

Despite the Phantom, Vampire and Sabre in the graveyard well worth a visit.

[MOD]

Great shots Graham. Re MAM. Is Ian Black's Lightning still there? That Phantom has been in bits like that as long as I can remember. There are stories, from time to time of a rebuild project, but nothing ever seems to happen.

XL360 looks good following a repaint since I was there last.

Always good to see 963. I wish I could get there more often, so thanks for the photos.


Ian

[Blue_2]

This should answer your question Ian! I forgot to post this pic

[MOD]

Thanks for that photo .

BTW I wonder if Hydealfred (Richard Hall) has seen these two? He is looking for a Lightning ladder.

So if one goes missing ...........

Ian

[Jigsaw]

Brilliant stuff. Some favourites of mine in there

[Robdsn]

Nice shots. I look at the Nimrod and Shack everyday out of the window and never appreciate as much as I should.