Shackleton WR963

[Kermit]

Mm, there is a time and a place for treasure hunts !
Are you thinking of relisting , next winter maybe ?? Could unearth more treasures ...

[Richw_82]

We will get around to reorganising the store and listing the whole lot properly before too much longer.

We've been getting rid of the unserviceable and unusable items lately that were returned to store, and a couple of other museums have had a few parts. Its likely there'll be some stuff going on a certain well known auction site too, to try and make a little funding and some more sense out of the pile.

[Sploosher]

Thats great news on the new spares front Rich.....................

Do you getthe feeling that the gods are on your side and the oldgirl will be running down the runway soon.

I do very much and hope to be there for the first run

[Richw_82]

I don't think so much its the gods, more youth and strength in numbers. The elder members of our team caring for WR963 in the past wanted to fit a lot of parts from the store, but often couldn't - be it due to age or ill health, or just lack of physical strength. It was hard enough for a couple of us shifting mainwheel tyres this weekend - even though they weren't complete wheels, they were still extremely heavy.

Once the wheels are done, the No 2 prop is going to be the item that dictates when WR963 sees a runway (assuming the chap building the propeller doesn't surprise us and show up with them while 963 is in the hangar...) I know the unit is being worked on, as some new parts have been manufactured, and the spinner backplates got sent away for fitting recently.

The other minor items that may stop her taxying are all being worked on.

Regards,

Rich

[Richw_82]

Hi guys,

Sorry for the lack of updates lately - its just that efforts are in other areas to enable the mainwheel change.

The ongoing spark plug change is continuing with 68 of the 72 plugs that required changing done. The last four are the ones under the magneto on each engine.. which makes the working room around the other plugs seem generous.

Regards,

Rich

[Richw_82]

24 Mar

Well, today was all about manual labour. We had found out the mainwheels we required a couple of weeks ago, but that was only part of the story. Getting them from the depths of storage, then from store to the airport, and then into the hangar took all morning.

Hard work and strength in numbers paid off, and by 1300hrs, we were back on site and unloading!





One hub is brand new in the box, and one was just wrapped on a pallet. We have found another brand new boxed one, which is now marked for easy identification should ever we need it. A lot of stuff has the original movement labels on, but a lot of boxes are unmarked - like the one which had god knows how many exhaust pipes in it. Or the one containing the axles!

Next week should see us start to build this pair up. We have been told Easter weekend is when our old Shack is going in the hangar again, so we'll be changing mainwheels in between scoffing chocolate eggs...



Over on WR963 herself, one of our team was attacking the screws for the cover panels over the jacking points. One panel came off okay, the other is putting up a bit more of a fight. It may need a couple of the screws drilling out.



Inside there are five large studs protruding from the lower boom. The jacking pad itself bolts on to these, and it can just about be seen in this picture -



Last but not least a new coolant tank was brought up to site by John Cubberley, so we can replace the one showing corrosion on No 4 engine. This will need to be done before the next run, and we'll be examining the same areas on the other three engines tanks just in case. WR963 has sat idle during February and March, but we figure a rest won't hurt while we get quite a bit of work done.

All being well this should be a busy year.

Regards,

Rich

[MOD]

Thanks Rich. I couldn't get to see you today as I was at Brunty...


Ian

[Sploosher]

Thanks for the updates Rich...................

I am sure you wont let the easter eggs stop you working............

[Xplumberlives]

Thanks for the updates Rich...................

I am sure you wont let the easter eggs stop you working............

OR the WORK stopping you eating loads of Easter Eggs!


Great work Rich and team, she's getting closer to the runway every day!

[Avro683]

Thanks for the update Rich, Question, when was the last time she had a coolant flush and also, interesting to see her Lancaster pedigree in the jacking points!

[Richw_82]

Hi,

The last coolant flush was done last year, just before we started running her regularly again. We have to keep on top of it as the radiators suffer from crystalised glycol blocking them if left too long. Its rather more critical for us as we only run her infrequently, and only for short periods.

The coolant header tank itself isn't actually corroded, there is a plate held on to it by six bolts next to the tank outlet, and it seems to be turning to powder under the paint. If I hadn't caught it in passing with the plug tool, it wouldn't have been seen. I'm trying to get hold of a drum of AL-3 coolant for when we do the change, as I don't like using equivalents unless I have to.

Theres a lot of Lanc in a Shackleton centre section - it comes with it being a derivative of the same design. Interestingly, the last people to use our drawings were BAe/BBMF in the mid 1990's for PA474's respar.

Regards,

Rich

[MOD]

Hi Rich. Thanks for the update. Is there any (new) positive news on the prop-fitting saga?

Ian

[Richw_82]

Still under build the last I heard, the spinner backplates were collected a short while ago. I'm expecting an update myself any time soon.

Regards,

Rich

[Dan4th]

Rich::::::::::

Step by Step by Step is how it goes, eh?

As for me, I have been hoping for some
Yoo-Toobs of 963, even if it's what you
might personally consider boring stuff

Not sure WHY I've gotten interested, but
this has been a Great Saga so far

Danf.

[Richw_82]

Thats right! Every bit we do is one step closer to the goal.

I'll see what I can do regarding the Youtube stuff - a lot of last years work was captured on camera, such as the painting. Theres also some footage from years gone by; including the 2007 taxi run. If the member of our team that films them is happy I'll try and get them up, but it will be a few weeks time before I see him next.

Regards,

Rich

[Kermit]

Finally had a tour of the lovely Shackleton, as I was atAirbase for the Meteor flight today.
It s gorgeous, Rich, you can be proud, lots of people were commenting on it ! Shame you weren t there but there s always a next time.
And some of the TV/magazine people waiting for the Meteor took pics/footage of your lovely aircraft too !
Very nice calendar by the way

hmmm... Did I spy some Victor calendars too ?

[Xplumberlives]

Finally had a tour of the lovely Shackleton, as I was atAirbase for the Meteor flight today.
It s gorgeous, Rich, you can be proud, lots of people were commenting on it ! Shame you weren t there but there s always a next time.
And some of the TV/magazine people waiting for the Meteor took pics/footage of your lovely aircraft too !
Very nice calendar by the way

hmmm... Did I spy some Victor calendars too ?

Could you see out of the windows ma petite mademoiselle?

[Richw_82]

Thankyou!! Glad you liked 963.

There are a couple of Victor calendars in the pile, its part of an amicable truce between us and the mob that look after that leaf blower up at Elvington. (We like them really..)

Regards,

Rich

[Kermit]

Have a soft spot for the "leaf blowers" myself, wish I d got that calendar now. Glad to see a little cooperation in the world of restoration, much needed

@xpl
In a word...... No ! Even with the seat as high as can be, visibility was pretty poor sideways was ok though

[Richw_82]

Latest e-mails received here suggest the rear prop for number 2 engine should be ready for fitting by the end of April.

Regards,

Rich

[Xplumberlives]

That is GOOD news!

[MOD]

Latest e-mails received here suggest the rear prop for number 2 engine should be ready for fitting by the end of April.

Regards,

Rich

So taxying this summer is a distinct possibility??


Ian

[Richw_82]

If we can get the mainwheel swap done and a couple of other bits sorted, it shouldn't be long once the prop is on, and the engine deinhibited.

[Xplumberlives]

Time to start planning another Forum trip!

[Sploosher]

I hope to be there for the first taxi run.....................