UK Shackleton Preservation Trust Restoring Growler to Flying Condition

Shackleton Preservation Trust's Avro Shackleton MR.2, is planned to fly. (Image Credit: SPT)
Aircorps Art Dec 2019


Shackleton Preservation Trust's Avro Shackleton MR.2, is planned to fly. (Image Credit: SPT)
Shackleton Preservation Trust’s Avro Shackleton MR.2, is planned to fly.
(Image Credit: SPT)

Serving the Royal Air Force (RAF) from 1951 to 1991 and the South African Air Force (SAAF) from 1957 to 1984, with a design lineage that stretches back to the Avro Lancaster bomber, the Shackleton is a venerable ‘bird with a distinguished service history. At this point in time there are not a single flying Shackleton left in the world, a situation that the UK-based Shackleton Preservation Trust (SPT) of Coventry seeks to remedy, embarking on a program that could see Shackleton MR.2 WR963 take to the skies again.

RAF Shackleton on Maritime Patrol (Image Credit: BAE Systems)
RAF Shackleton on Maritime Patrol
(Image Credit: BAE Systems)

Avro’s maritime reconnaissance and airborne early warning aircraft, named after the British polar explorer, first flew at Avro’s Woodford, Cheshire airfield on March 9, 1949, with Avro’s Chief test Pilot “Jimmy” Orrell in command. Designated the Avro Type 696 and designed by a team under the leadership of Roy Chadwick, deliveries of Shackletons to the RAF’s Coastal Command commenced in the following year. Initially the aircraft was to be called the Lincoln ASR.3, a nod to the aircraft’s derivation from of the Avro Lincoln bomber, which was in turn a development of the Avro Lancaster. With wings, tail, and undercarriage from the Lincoln and a fuselage loosely based on the Avro Tudor airliner, three different variants were built, the Mk1 and Mk2 both with tail-wheel undercarriage, and the Mk3 with a nose-wheel/tricycle undercarriage. Maritime reconnaissance Shackleton’s were replaced in RAF service by Nimrods, but Mk2s continued in operation alongside the jets in the airborne early-warning role.

SAAF Shackleton "Pelican 16" lays where she landed, in the Sahara Desert. (Image Credit: Alexei Shevelev, GNU FDL 1.2)
SAAF Shackleton “Pelican 16” lays where she landed, in the Sahara Desert.
(Image Credit: Alexei Shevelev, GNU FDL 1.2)

Post-military service, airworthy Shackletons haven’t had the best of luck. An ex-SAAF Shackleton, “Pelican 16” (SAAF 1716) was restored to flying condition in 1994, but later that same year, while on its way from South Africa to the UK, a double engine failure caused the plane to make a forced landing in the Sahara Desert. While there were no fatalities among the crew, the plane was a total loss and was abandoned in place.

The South African Air Force Museum is in possession another Shackleton, “Pelican 22” (SAAF 1722), restored and theoretically airworthy, though it’s been grounded for safety and preservation reasons as well as for lack of a qualified air and/or ground crew, though they do run the engines from time to time.

RAF Shackleton "Mr McHenry" as delivered to Pima. (Image Credit: Pima Air & Space Museum)
RAF Shackleton “Mr McHenry” as delivered to Pima.
(Image Credit: Pima Air & Space Museum)

Resplendent, but grounded: "Mr McHenry" on its unveiling day. (Image Credit: Pima Air & Space Museum)
Resplendent, but grounded:
“Mr McHenry” on its unveiling day.
(Image Credit: Pima Air & Space Museum)

In 2005 Shackleton Mk2 (RAF WL790) “Mr McHenry” that had been on exhibit at the defunct Polar Aviation Museum in Blaine, Minnesota was made airworthy enough for ferrying, though the UK-based owner of the plane found himself in a difficult position. While the UK’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) was willing to issue a ferry permit for the aircraft to fly back home, the plane would be grounded once it arrived until a very expensive wing spar replacement was performed. The plane was ferried to the Commemorative Air Force Headquarters in Midland, Texas and languished there for two years, its owner hoping to find a buyer who never materialized. In 2007 the plane was once again prepared for what would be its last flight, this time to the Pima Air & Space Museum in Tuscon, Arizona where it was placed on public display, later undergoing a cosmetic restoration which was unveiled in May 2013.

SPTs restoration plans include the re-installation of 963's gun turret, removed in 1959, a prospect the plane looks overjoyed about in this pic. (Image Credit: SPT)
SPTs restoration plans include the re-installation of 963’s gun turret, removed in 1959, a prospect the plane looks overjoyed about in this pic.
(Image Credit: SPT)

In the effort to restore to flying condition Shackleton WR963, SPT is performing frequent engine runs, spinning up its four 2,450hp Rolls Royce Griffon 57As with their 13ft diameter contra-rotating propellers, hearing the distinctive sound that caused the Shackletons to be tagged with nickname “Growlers.” The plane has been registered as G-SKTN as the process of obtaining a CAA Permit to Fly gets underway and a huge fund-raising campaign kicks in. The aircraft is open to the public at Coventry each Saturday and the Shackleton’s Return To Flight Fund is accepting donations through the Friends of 963 Society.

We’ll be following the restoration of 963 as it progresses, bringing you updates on the efforts to turn back the years and return this Growler to the skies of England. In the meantime, here’s a video of a recent engine run on this beautiful aircraft:

Moreno-Aguiari

Born in Milan, Italy, Moreno moved to the U.S. in 1999 to pursue a career as a commercial pilot. His aviation passion began early, inspired by his uncle, an F-104 Starfighter Crew Chief, and his father, a military traffic controller. Childhood adventures included camping outside military bases and watching planes at Aeroporto Linate. In 1999, he relocated to Atlanta, Georgia, to obtain his commercial pilot license, a move that became permanent. With 24 years in the U.S., he now flies full-time for a Part 91 business aviation company in Atlanta. He is actively involved with the Commemorative Air Force, the D-Day Squadron, and other aviation organizations. He enjoys life with his supportive wife and three wonderful children.

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About Moreno Aguiari 3366 Articles
Born in Milan, Italy, Moreno moved to the U.S. in 1999 to pursue a career as a commercial pilot. His aviation passion began early, inspired by his uncle, an F-104 Starfighter Crew Chief, and his father, a military traffic controller. Childhood adventures included camping outside military bases and watching planes at Aeroporto Linate. In 1999, he relocated to Atlanta, Georgia, to obtain his commercial pilot license, a move that became permanent. With 24 years in the U.S., he now flies full-time for a Part 91 business aviation company in Atlanta. He is actively involved with the Commemorative Air Force, the D-Day Squadron, and other aviation organizations. He enjoys life with his supportive wife and three wonderful children.

7 Comments

  1. HI There,

    I am living in South africa and have parts from a shackelton mk3 namely engines and props.Cockpit section (without glass) and instrumentation. I would like to find out if anyone is interested.

    Thanks

    Steve

    • Hi Steve, with ref to your Shackleton spares, there is a group of folk who are trying to get an “old girl” back in the air. They maybe interested in these items. They are based in the u.k.
      Did you get any answer from them?

      Cheers

      Stephen.

    • Hi Steve

      I’m replying to an old message from 2013.
      I restore Griffon engines and would like to know what you have for sale regarding engines and props.

      Best regards

      chris

  2. Hello. Is there such a ‘plane as a twin-engine Shackleton or Lancaster?
    I’m no expert -just someone who takes an interest in planes.
    Something which resembled one of the above (with only two engines) flew over East Leicestershire at approx. 12p.m. on 09.09.16 with a very noticeably different engine sound.
    Any ideas please.

    • That might have been a North American B-25 or a Dassault Flamant. Examples of both of those are flying and both have the distinctive twin tails.

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