Five-million GBP appeal to return Avro Shackleton to the air

Stratofreighter · Post by **Stratofreighter** » 10 Mar 2013, 22:22

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-co ... e-21726075

9 March 2013
Last updated at 16:46 GMT

£5m Shackleton plane appeal launched in Coventry

The Shackleton WR 963 is currently based at Coventry Airport

A £5m appeal has been launched to get a Shackleton aircraft back in the skies.

The plane clocked up about 15,000 hours of service for the RAF from the 1950s through to its retirement in 1991 and is currently at Coventry Airport.

The plane is one of only two models still capable of turning its engines, with neither able to fly, organisers of the appeal said.

It is hoped mechanics will have the plane taxiing in two months and flying within seven years.

Cold War

Dave Woods, chairman of the Shackleton Preservation Trust, said the focus for the next two years was to ensure the trust had the necessary funds to complete the project.

Mr Woods said: "At this moment there are no Shackletons capable of flight anywhere in the world.

"There are only two that are capable of turning their engines so we thought it would be a nice idea to put '963' back in the air.

"She was developed from a wartime Lancaster.

"She's had a very long and distinguished career and protected Britain from the Cold War attacks right to the end of her life.

"She's one of the longest serving aircraft the RAF has had."

Lex Nasa · Post by **Lex Nasa** » 11 Mar 2013, 20:14

Well,it would be a nice replacement for the Vulcan ...

[ Post made via Mobile Device ]

topgun1984 · Post by **topgun1984** » 11 Mar 2013, 21:32

It sure is

... and a more capable aircraft to maintain airworthy..

I do can personally assure you that every penny going into the Shackleton trust will be put into the aircraft itself. I've had the pleasure to meet the Woods family personally and i have never met people with such positive spirits and knowledge about an aircraft. These are people with passion in their hearts and very healty dose of workers mentality. I've had a personal encounter with WR963 in 2011 and it's still an amazing aircraft to see and with the limited time and money available they do keep it in the best condition you can imagine (although being outside).

If you are able to visit Coventry stop by and donate some pounds into this aircraft. they also have a boot with nice memorabilia, patches, lighters etc.

Cheers,

TG1984

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