News Archive
For historical reference, here are our older news articles. See our news page for our most recent information and news articles.
The 148th Growler - Spring 2025
The Spring 2025 (148th) edition of The Growler is out now!
Inside:
How Joan de Kat was rescued
Over the Radfan
38 Squadron, Malta, 1962 to 1964
It's Amazing What You Find
and more.....
Monday 17th March 2025
Important Message to all Shackleton Association Members
Final AGM and Annual Dinner » 14th-16th October 2025
Here is an important message from our Memsec to all Shackleton Association members:
I need to inform you that at the Shackleton Association Committee Meeting held on Thursday 6th March, it was resolved to put to an Extraordinary General Meeting that the Shackleton Association should be wound up at the end of 2025. This is because of our inability to recruit members to serve on the Association committee and declining numbers of members attending the annual AGM. This is mainly due to the age profile of our membership limiting their ability to travel long distances or to take on committee duties with the accompanying responsibilities.
It is further proposed to hold our possible final Reunion, AGM and EGM between the 14th and 16th October 2025 at the Appleby Park Hotel Leicestershire DE12 7AP. This is not far from the National Arboretum, in Alrewas, Staffordshire, so that members would be able to visit there on the 15th October 2025.
If we have sufficient numbers to go ahead with the reunion and dinner then further details will be published here and in the next Growler.
Please notify our new events organiser Jenny Allaway by email (events@thegrowler.org.uk) before the 20th April 2025, indicating that you would like to attend our possible last function.
Friday 7th March 2025
WR963 Arrives at Yorkshire Air Museum
The last of the major sections of Shackleton WR963 arrived at the Yorkshire Air Museum (YAM) over the weekend 5/6 January. Read further details on the Northern Echo website.
Wednesday 22nd January 2025
The 147th Growler - Winter 2024
The Winter 2024 (147th) edition of The Growler is out now!
Inside:
From WOP to MaeOP
The Azores - Coastal covering the Mid-Atlantic Gap
When the Sextant was King
220 Squadron and the Mk3
and more.....
Wednesday 4th December 2024
The 146th Growler - Autumn 2024
The Autumn 2024 (146th) edition of The Growler is out now!
Inside:
Pilgrimage
Soviet Submarine K159
Maritime Adventures
Memories fromSt Mawgan
and more.....
Monday 12th August 2024
Kevin Hopwood’s RC Model Shackleton
Kevin Hopwood recently sent us an update on the progress he is making on the construction of his radio controlled model Shackleton. Here are a couple of shots showing the fuselage and the amazing detail of the bomb aimers window in the nose.
And here is a video showing the bomb doors in action.
Tuesday 2nd July 2024
The 145th Growler - Summer 2024
The Summer 2024 (145th) edition of The Growler is out now!
Inside:
A Week on an 'A' Boat
A Brief History in Aviation, Pt 2
Far East Flight of Flying Boats 1927/28
Peter Morris Maritime Adventures, Pt 2
and more.....
Thursday 6th June 2024
The 144th Growler - Spring 2024
The Spring 2024 (144th) edition of The Growler is out now!
Inside:
A Brief History in Aviation
MR2s in FEAF
A Tour on 120 Squadron
Life with 'Uncle'
and more.....
Tuesday 5th March 2024
WR963 Prepares For Move
Here are a few photo's of WR963 at Baginton with preparations underway for her move to the Yorkshire Air Museum at Elvington. The photos were taken on 10 Feb 2024 by Ian Harding.
There is also an update of progress on the Yorkshire Air Museum website.
Wednesday 14th February 2024
The 143rd Growler - Winter 2023
The Winter 2023 (143rd) edition of The Growler is out now!
Inside:
How to be Happy Through Maritime
A South African Pilot's Memories
Vanda's Viewpoint
Exchange with HMS Opportune
and more.....
Wednesday 6th December 2023
2024 Shackleton Association Calendar
We are now taking orders for our 2024 Shackleton Association Calendar.
This unique calendar is printed on high quality paper using high quality colour photographs that are not available elsewhere.
Prices including P&P are:
- £12 per calendar for UK delivery
- £15 per calendar for overseas delivery
The latest date to place your order is 31st October 2023
To order, please send your full name, address including postcode together with payment to our association's Chairman: Wally Allaway, 1 Deepdale, Wilnecote, Tamworth, B77 4PD.
If ordering more than one calendar for delivery to a different addresses then please include each address on a separate sheet.
Accepted payments are by:
- Cheque - made payable to the Shackleton Association
- Bank transfer - Sort Code: 60-17-43, Account No.: 84703210, Reference: Calendar and your name.
Wednesday 7th June 2023
2023 Shackleton Association Calendar
Printed on high quality paper, rare colour photographs that are not available anywhere else are being used for each month in our 2023 Shackleton Association Calendar.
To order your celendar, please send your full name, address, postcode and payment to: Wally Allaway, Chairman of the Shackleton Association, 1 Deepdale, Wilnecote, Tamworth, B77 4PD. Orders must received by 31st October 2022.
If ordering more than one calendar for delivery to a different address, please include that address on a separate sheet.
UK price, inc P&P is £12 each
Overseas, inc P&P is £15 each
Pay by cheque (payable to the Shackleton Association), Bank Transfer or by PayPal.
Tuesday 5th July 2022
WR960
With the closure of the Manchester Museum of Science and Industry's historic aircraft exhibitions, all exhibits are being transferred to new homes. Their centerpiece, Shackleton AEW2 'Dougal' WR960, having been housed undercover since it was retired from service in 1982, is in excellent condition and is being transferred to the Avro Heritage Museum at Woodford where she will be held in storage until arrangements are made for her to go on public display.
You can see some photo's of WR960 being dismantled here: https://uk.corgi.co.uk/community/blog-and-news/aerodrome/avro-shackleton-dougal-manchester-museum-move
Friday 10th June 2022
269 Squadron Tray
Geoff Pringle contacted the association whilst researching a tray which he bought from a militaria fair near Bristol in 2005. The tray was handpainted and depicts 269 Squadron's Crest as well as a MK1 and MK2 Shackleton. I wonder if any of our members have any memories or know the history of it.
Friday 29th April 2022
2022 Shackleton Association Calendar
We still have provisional orders for our 2022 calendar recorded. Will members who have ordered but not yet sent paid for their 2022 calendars, please send their remittance of £12 (UK delivery) or £15 (overseas delivery), per calendar to the memsec before the end of September.
The closing date for ordering your calendar is 30th September 2021. Contact the memsec to order yours.
Sunday 2nd May 2021
WR977 Newark Air Museum
Brian Withers has informed us that some serious corrosion has been found on the upper lateral support struts on both main undercarriage assemblies on Shackleton Mk3 WR977 at Newark Air Museum. Brian has asked us if we have contact with anyone who may have experienced this problem in the past and also for any suggestions for a source of spares or repairs. If you think you can provide some information or help then please contact Brian.
Wednesday 6th January 2021
Shackleton Model Kits Review
One of our association members, Jason Moore who lives in Texas, has sent us a very interesting and comprehensive review of the many available Shackleton model kits. You can read his review here: Shackleton model kits review.
Saturday 4th April 2020
The Shackleton Trophy 2019
The Shackleton Trophy is presented anually to the best ATC Expedition. This year the Bristol & Gloucestershire Wing won it with their expedition “Exercise Mountain Storm” set around Banff, Canada. See the Shackleton Trophy page for more information.
To see more photos of this event view the photo album.
Thursday 15th August 2019
Shackleton Association Crest Carving
Paul Slee and his wife presented this beautiful wooden carving to the Association at the 2017 Annual Dinner. Paul carved it by hand over a number of months using a picture of the Association's crest as his design. The accuracy of the carving and level of detail are absolutely incredible
Monday 6th November 2017
