This is the place where the majority of the warbird (aircraft that have survived military service) discussions will take place. Specialized forums may be added in the new future
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Sun Jan 21, 2007 11:54 am

God I wish my dad was still around.........................As I 've stated before, his log book shows time in 790, when he was stationed in Ballykelly, Northern Ireland in the 50's.

Thanks for the pics Gary.


Julian

Sun Jan 21, 2007 5:21 pm

retroaviation wrote:This is a very cool plane all in all. I hope that someday they'll be able to get the money to replace the spars while it is in England. But until then, I'll be hanging on the the memories of seeing (and hearing) it fly around here.
Gary


I'll never forget the sound of it taking off right over me at Holman Field in Downtown St Paul. Sure wish I had that on video, but at least I have the AirSho 05 video with all that cool footage!

Mon Jan 22, 2007 3:27 am

I think the flares may well be out of date!

For comparison, here is a shot taken inside the Shackleton on display at the Midland Air Museum in the UK (see the connection? Midland.....geddit!)

This one is still in its maritime reconnaissance configuration.

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Mon Jan 22, 2007 4:55 pm

Nick,
Not wanting to nitpick, but isn't that WR963 ,on the airfield at Cov ,rather than in the Museum?
By the way, I was fortunate enough to be inside '963 , when it was having its engines run one day and I was deaf after 10mins, so it's no wonder ex Shack crew SHOUT!

Alan.

Mon Jan 22, 2007 8:48 pm

First of all as a long time lurker I want to say hello to everyone.

Gary's comment caused me to de-lurk-
retroaviation wrote: It's a God-awful ugly airplane, in my opinion


It's an acquired taste I know. :wink:

The 'ol Shackleton is one of my favorites. Half the reason we went to AIRSHO 2005 was to see Mr. McHenry fly.

Here are some pics from both AIRSHO 2004 & 2005:

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Not a great lens unfortunately:
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Norm from the Shack crew let me sit in the left seat for awhile. What a treat that was:
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Chris Farmer took this shot. My favorite of all:
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I would like to see Mr. McHenry remain in Midland and become a regular part of the CAF. At the very least stay in the states somewhere.

Great forum!

Best,
Kevin

Tue Jan 23, 2007 3:48 am

Alan

Nope, I've never been inside the one at Cov (but if you're offering!!)

Kev

I really like the air to air shot.

Tue Jan 23, 2007 4:20 am

Manonthefence wrote:IFor comparison, here is a shot taken inside the Shackleton on display at the Midland Air Museum in the UK (see the connection? Midland.....geddit!)

So if not Coventry (= Midland Air Museum), perhaps Newark?

Tue Jan 23, 2007 4:31 am

Nick, you're obviously having an OH moment. It's Newark - remember, you were wearing a gnome hat at the time because it was so bloody cold.

Tue Jan 23, 2007 4:39 am

Yeah, its me being dumb

Ok chaps it was at the Newark air Museum, my excuse is thats it's in the Midlands!!

Tue Jan 23, 2007 5:21 am

Warbirdnerd wrote:I'll never forget the sound of it taking off right over me at Holman Field in Downtown St Paul. Sure wish I had that on video, but at least I have the AirSho 05 video with all that cool footage!


The noise of 3 x 'Growlers' in formation was even better.........I wish I had got that on video or even still... :(

Just before retirement from RAF use, (1990 or 91?) 3 x Shack's in a tight vic 3, flew the flypast for Trooping the Colour over Buckingham Palace. It was typical Shack weather of low cloud and drizzle....but it was a great sight and even better sound....... :D

Tue Jan 23, 2007 3:12 pm

Manonthefence wrote:Alan

Nope, I've never been inside the one at Cov (but if you're offering!!)

Kev

I really like the air to air shot.


Nick I would love to help, but the chaps that look after it have the key!

However it is normally possible to sit inside ,while they run the engines, during a Classic Flight experience day, the next of which is 07/04/07, there is normally a charge of about £25.00, I am not sure if there is an admission charge on top of this,but you could always book a flight in something else as well! See the web site for booking details. Hope to see you there!
Alan.

Tue Jan 23, 2007 6:05 pm

Does anyone know what route they flew to get to the states?

Eric

Tue Jan 23, 2007 10:57 pm

Wondered what route myself. Possibly Lossiemouth-Keflavik/Reykjavik-Thule/Sonderstram-Goose Bay-Bangor?

Here is a neat pic of WL790 in better days sitting at Keflavik (Iceland) 1979.

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(I guess it's okay to post pics here as long as they are credited?)

Best,
Kevin

Tue Jan 23, 2007 11:05 pm

Very neat looking combination.

I'll agree its an acquired taste, but for some reason I like the lines on the airplane. Would be nice to see it remain in the air somwhere. Whats the story on this other example in SA? Does it still fly?

Wed Jan 24, 2007 5:11 am

Edward Soye wrote: Whats the story on this other example in SA? Does it still fly?


Yes but only occasionally. IIRC there's not many hours left on it, definately well less than a 100....but that's sufficient with the limited hours it's flown for a few years flying yet. It would seem though that it's the crew 'life' that will ground her before the airframe life. I believe they are down to just the one still current certified flight engineer now and all the crew are now 'retired' and getting on a bit........ :roll:
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