WR963
WR963 in new livery - this photograph by David Whitworth
Just got my teeth back in!! Photo courtesy of Richard Woods 26th January 2012
VP293
AS SHE SHOULD LOOK
Compare the Nose compartment of WB836 at Changi 1961 - by David Taylor
WITH HOW VP293 LOOKS NOW
The Stripping of VP293's Nose
Norman Thelwell's restored Nose of Mark One VP293 was ransacked sometime before August in 2010 while at Duxford.
He sent this request around the time of the discovery:
I would ask all the people who use your website to keep a
sharp lookout for any early Shack Mk.1 bits. As I mentioned previously, before I
left for the UK in July I saw a Mk.1 Control wheel for sale on eBay from Canada.
It looked exactly like one of mine complete with brake levers etc, but I thought
at the time, mine were still in the nose section! Unfortunately, I didn't keep
the eBay auction number for reference and thus have been unable to trace it so
far. I will keep trying to at least establish were this eBay control wheel came
from!
7 April 2011
Just returned from the UK. Renovation on VP293 going well at Coventry, but recovering the stolen cockpit items has not happened yet! Investigations are still ongoing with Duxford etc and I will keep you informed on progress.
Quick update. An aquaintance mentioned that he visited Pima recently and '790 is looking very rough with no progress on renovation etc. This surprises me somewhat, as I always thought the Pima Museum would get the Shackleton into a reasonable display condition. Unless something happens fairly soon the old girl will rot away in the hot climate.
Re
'XF08 at Duxford, I did see this Mk.3 when I visited the museum in Feb. She is
inside the main renovation hanger which is part of the very large display
building next to the main entrance. Wing tanks and tips have been removed
(stored?). The paint work has received some attention, but no new paint has been
applied. I'm presuming the interior is still badly corroded, especially the
fuselage floor. I went inside this Shack when she was still outside and the
floor was badly rotted from a leaking roof. Many years ago, I was taken around
this Mk.3 by a Duxford contact and the interior was complete with ALL equipment
still in place and no rot whatsoever. What a pity this Shack was not preserved
at that time - a total lack of foresight by the Duxford Authorities. I hope to
be over in the UK this coming July, and I'll get you some photos.
Trust
all is well
Norman Thelwell
WL790
WL790 Looking very tired in the Pima back blocks.
Was to be repainted last Summer.
XF708
Two years later, she doesn't look any different.
The
Shackleton
The Griffons, they are silent now, but still they live in memories long
Of
endless hour o'er darkened sea with ten tired men for
company.
But ask those men in dinghies cold drifting close to death's dark door
What
sound was it they treasured most?
It was the sound of Griffons roar.
Paul P. Davis - 201 Squadron
HAVE A LOOK
AT
Individual Aircraft Histories
Graphics Marks I to III and colour schemes
Ballykelly - The Shackleton Era 1952-71
Ballykelly Squadron Aircraft Listings 1952-71
Author
- John (Mo)
Botwood
