September 20, 2021 at 12:52 am
I am restoring two original Australian single-seat Vampire BFPs for A79-175 and A79-733.
It was interesting to find that various parts have Australian Directorate of Technical Services (DTS) part numbers rather than the original p/ns that they replicate – this is for the suction box assy and the pitot/static connections. I have attached photos of both with the various p/ns.
It has been easy enough for me to work out the pitot/static connections p/ns correlation, but I am unable to get all the way there with the info I have for the suction box. The covers have the original W6993/6 p/n on it, so that is just original.
The suction box body is a mystery for me anyway because I bought 2 basic box details in original packaging from Bruce a few years ago and that was ID’d on the packaging as W6216/4, but I have a Vampire FB.9 breakdown that says that is the assy p/n.
Anyway, can anyone tell me what the AGS or W6216 p/ns are for the pipe fittings? The plug does not match AGS566 or AGS948 as the across-the-flats measurement is 0.7″. Because we are in lockdown here, I have not been able to do homework on the bare boxes I have, to figure out the BSP sizes – don’t have access to my shed at present.
Also, I have included the isolation mounting. There are a couple of different mountings for the British built Vampires. One seems to be the typical cast type. The original Vampire BFP was the 6A/760, and I assume the mountings are part of that assy. There was a later assembly that was a big departure and that had a much greater length from the panel face to the Lord mounts/spring assys. Can anyone tell me if the dimension provided suggests this is just an equivalent to the original cast type?
I have a lot of information that shows that the Australian single-seat Vampire was continually inflicted by severe parts shortages of UK supply items. I assume that is why some parts have local p/ns – drawn up for local manufacture. From what I can tell, the DTS drawing numbers do date from the late 1940s/early 1950s. Not sure that it makes sense there was no surplus from the war. The same factory was still working on Mosquitos and overhauling aircraft like Oxfords.
By: Nicko - 7th January 2022 at 22:20
Hi Dave. Emails received. Tied up at the moment! Many thanks – will get back to you.
By: radarsdesk - 7th January 2022 at 13:13
Hi Nicholas,
I’ve sent a couple of emails to the vhjet address regarding fittings. Did you recieve them? If not let me know and I’ll try again.
Regards
Dave
By: Nicko - 1st January 2022 at 23:36
The photos below show the one 5/16″ pipe and UN thread connector that I have – fitted to the C-2 Rate of Climb that came with one of the panels, and the original plumbing/ AGS fittings. Have since googled for American fittings – only found ‘barb’-type AN fittings.


By: Nicko - 1st January 2022 at 05:25
My blind flying panels are progressing fairly well – photos attached and my notes on mods etc are on my blog: http://vhjet.com/nickos-blog/. I am now turning my attention to the plumbing.
Does anyone know if there are standard pitot/static connectors with 5/16″ plain tube and 3/8″ BSP (I think) thread? I need a couple of these for an ASI. I can’t find such a thing in the Brown Brothers catalog, although they do have this one that illustrates what I am after:

My alternative is to rob a couple from a spare Machmeter, but not keen on that! I gather from looking at several that some are probably specific to individual indicator p/ns and they also come in different lengths.
I’m also after the same for American gauges – ASI, Altimeter & RoC – but more like 3/8″ UN, not 7/16″ shown above.. Perhaps I will find some MS part-number – not sure if the Americans used something similar to AGS838 fittings, or flexible tubing with wire.
Thanks.