Need some help with Halifax hydraulics.

Ok Deryck,

Show us the photographs and we’ll do our best.

Cheers

Cees

Halifax Hydraulics.

Hi Cees,

Yes, I could take some shots of our problem areas.That might help us!

We have installed video cameras at various locations throughout the aircraft, Pilot’s cockpit, Rear Turret, Center fuselage etc. This will allow the public to view the interior without the potential for damage to the aircraft or to them selves!

It is a bit disconcerting to hear the cameras scanning and zooming when you are working away at a tricky little problem, you also hope that no one has activated any microphones without telling you!

We have four viewing stations where the public can select the areas they want to view. No indication that they will ever allow Internet connections to the cameras.

Ssst don’t tell the missus!:eek:

Hindsight is a great invention:rolleyes:

Of course enthusiasm is the drive of many of these projects. Despite the chaos you described the result is still a magnificently restored Halifax no matter what people may say. Perhaps it’s an idea to post some of the pics of items that needs to be identified, so that the participants on this forum may lend a hand.

Just a thougth.

By the way, I have the drawing of the elevator trimming controls with me at work at the moment and will make a copy as promised.

Cheers

Cees

Halifax Hydraulics.

Hi Cees,
Yes, you are quite correct. However, we started the project in the summer of ’95 with loads of enthusiasm and too many volunteer workers, generally skilled workers with military maintenance skills, working on too many parts without close oversight over a period of some 13 years! And with no Curatorial oversight!

Since I had been exposed to some restoration work at Canadian Warplane Heritage I tried to get them to photograph and tag everything and much of it was both tagged and photographed, but, over the years, the tags came off and the volunteer workers came and went and their work spaces were cleaned out and the remaining parts thrown on a shelf with similar parts.

The photographs now number in the thousands but they were never sorted out to enable them to be used as a reference.

I also tried to get all new parts that had to be made to replace corroded parts stamped as “Fabricated during restoration by the RCAFM” and the date. Everyone thought I was nuts!

However, replacing the original hydraulic piping and all the valves was never in the original plans. Nor was replacing the wiring! So I guess no one bothered too much about the associated parts.

I mean, how on earth could we lose the parts of an elevator trim position indicator, that was recently broken!

Why can’t everyone be perfect like you and I!!!;)

Hi Deryck,

The visit to Elvington has been postponed for the time being unfortunately. From the top of my head I know that YAM’s Halifax hasn’t got any hydraulic systems fitted.

Wouldn’t it be advisable to label all items in the workshop:diablo:

Your drawing arrived yesterday. It’s exactly what I was looking for, thanks for you kind help. I am working on copying the drawing I have of the trimming controls set up and mail that to you probably next week.

Cheers

Cees

Halifax Hydraulics

Thanks guys, all good ideas.

I had forgotten that Hendon’s W1048 would probably still have them in place, hopefully in a photograph-able state.

Yes, we do have a “Halifax Explored” somewhere in the group. I must see if I can borrow it.

If PN 323’s cockpit does go back that far, I might be able to get someone at IWM to take a picture for us.

Actually I think the valves are in the shop but I do not know quite what I am looking for! I did find a connected pair of simple 3 way valves which could be two of the missing items and they are the current candidates for being installed in the space that Cees has described.

A photo from the past would be ideal but the valves are not in an often photographed area.

Cees, With regard to Elvington, were you not planning a vist to take some pictures? Maybe you could add one more to the list.

(Cees, your drawing was sent a week ago.)

Thanks again, guys.

Deryck,

I think they are fitted inside the large fairing above the engine control box as bolted to frame 7. I believe the cockpit of PN323 at Lambeth has these valves still in place. I remember that there is a cutout in the middle of the fairing just above the engine control box showing hydraulic pipes. I think I have some detailed photographs of this section and will see if anything useful turns up.

Cees

Also try ‘The Halifax Explored’ CD… We used the Lanc explored during PA474’s major and it had some good photos….. I’m sure someone will have a copy (not that I’m condoning pirate DVD’s or anything!…..). There’s usually an advert in Flypast for it….

Elvington (Yorkshire Air Museum) may have something along those lines too. Worth a try…

halifax

Deryck, just a shot in the dark but what about Hendon?