Halifax NA337 RCAF Museum Trenton

Is this another one of the occasions when everything is bad for us?
I went round the visitor centre when they were building Sizewell ‘B’ nuclear power station. To allay the (non-existent) fears of the locals, they had a Geiger counter and a few items to wave at it. The two I remember are a watch with luminous hands which caused a small reading and a gas mantle which sent it crazy.

Radioactive Instruments.

Guys, Guys, Guys.

If you lot are worrying about radioactive instruments then dont.

I have been told by a reliable source that you wont be in any danger or radiation while collecting these instruments. However a few donts are dont open the instrument up if it can be helped dont allow long term contact with your skin or close to your person ie. In your pocket for long periods of time.

I think a little respect of the radioactive instruments is all that is needed. Museums have to be careful because of the possibility of being sued when someone claims that their aircraft gave them radiation poisoning or Cancer.

We cant be stopped from collecting radioactive instruments so if they are so dangerous why has there been no national appeal for collectors to give up their instruments.

If anyone is in any doubt or wants to get rid of any Radioactive instruments then please send them to me. I will find good homes for all of them. Although not at the Museum of Flight as some person did.

He went down to the M of F and asked if they wanted them. They said no as they were radioactive and sent him on his way. (I would have taken them from him for safe keeping and then handed them onto the authorities to avoid what I am gooing to say next) He then dumped them at the museum exit and when they locked the gate for the night found them and sparked off a radiation alert as per their guidelines.

I think this was rather silly on a few accounts but thats what happened.

Anyone know who he was or was it you.

Please contact me.

Dark brown/beige? I’ve not seen them like that – the ones I’ve seen have always had either a light cream or yellowish green colour to them.

But, as a general rule, the gauges with the green/white numbers are safe (disclaimer: this is not a cast iron guarantee!).

so…….

So let me get this straight then…
guages with green and white numbers are ok but ones with dark beige/ brown dials are not correct?

Not all instruments were radium painted. The ones with the pale yellowy green are radium painted, but the ones with the mid green colour are in fact flourescent, and have special (UV?) lights to go with them. These are not radioactive and can be used safely. I believe these came in some time in 1943 or 1944, although old stocks of radium dials were used up before these were used.

Not sure how the boys are getting around the H & S concerns
for their instruments on their Halifax. Were all WWII instruments
treated with radiation during the that time period. I have heard
some restoration groups have had the instrument make safe
for use? (taken apart and replaced with new non radioactive backings) but not sure about this one!!

interior parts

Just out of curiosity, if the govt made them put all of the instruments in boxes because fear of radiation from the dials then how can they fit out the cockpit with all of the equipment and guages???

Hi Willow, if you dont start your Airfix Halifax this week maybe you should keep it for the first week of September, lets face it you will need something to do on your honeymoon 🙂 😀 😎

DOUGHNUT

Preservation was not the number one prority back then, it has really only been in the last 30 – 40 years that the preservation scene has built up as we know it today, with noteable exceptions such as the Shuttleworth Collection.

Yes, brilliant shots BC, many thanks for the insight into the progress of this project and well done to all concerned.

Thank you for sharing the beautiful photographs

Nitram

What excelent work! It’s fantastic.

As a modeller I am now inspired, and will be dragging the old Airfix offering out of the loft tonight (although with only 2 1/2 weeks till the wedding I’m not actually going to build it of course!).

Good shots as well, British Canuck. Thanks very much for posting them.

Willow

Another picture..taken looking back towards the tail again..this time from alittle further back..towards the joining on the centre section;

I was also wondering just how much of the plane is original now? but a decision had to be made with regards to this particular airframe and they are sticking to it..It is a rare aircraft yes but it is not significant in it’s identity..it is not the first of it’s kind like Mosquito W4050 or the first to drop the A bomb like B-29 Enola Gay. They are being very careful to follow all the blueprints and be as true to the original as possible and the level of detail is quite amazing!

Can’t wait to see her completed!!

Another picture of the tail:

It would be nice to see one of the engines restored to ground running condition but this will never happen. Those engines spend a little too much time in the water. They can turn over and if electrics are applied they will turn on the starter but RCAF museum do not want to risk having one come apart or self destruct. Too much would be lost. One of the staff told me all they need is this plane to accidentally catch fire and opps..

The museum is now waiting on funding from the Federal Government to help in building the expansion to house the Halifax

You really get a idea of how big this plane is now and this is before the wings tips are installed!!

Here a few more pix::)

I dont meen to be picky but this will be the only completly original halifax in the world i would include the halifax at elvington as a halifax as in is mainly a composite of various halifax parts.

Scott C

Neither Halifax will fly again. The Hendon example suffered a lot of corrosion because it was in relatively shallow water. There’s also the small matter of the missing outer wing… The RAF Museum don’t like flying aircraft either (understandably).

The Trenton example has a lot of magnesium castings which are corroded to nothing, effectively. Also, the spar was damaged when it was shot down, there aren’t engines, etc etc etc.

The only way either would fly would be by being renewed to the point of nothing substantial being left of the original airframe.

The Halifax looks great! is the restoration to static state?

it would be great to see a Halifax fire up on all four engines.

I think the Hendon example should be restored.

I heard a rumour a while back the Trenton Halifax wouldnt be restored to Airworthyness because of the lack of Hercules engines? is this true?

The hendon example is a merlin engined one yeah ………..?

Great photo’s BC , any more ?? , well done to the restorers , she looks great , can’t wait to see her finished .

Bruce – yes we have. I was with Jim Dearborn at the Mosquito meeting a couple of years ago.

How’s W4050 coming along?