Mystery Vulcan panel?

Are the originals .25″ thick? I didn’t think they were…..16’s guage or 10’s guage was more the norm (0.064″ and 0.128″…or, a 1/16″ or an 1/8″ near enough) for such panels.

Yes they are… a whopping whole 1/4″ thick indeed 😮

.

Well, I suppose that it is correct in that one of them is the reset switch for the total fuel flow gauge.

Problem with the Vulcan is that the panels went through several in-service mods – all my panels have plates riveted in, and new cut-outs added. As a rule, the same panels stayed with their airframe throughout their life.

Be interested to see an extract from your PN’s though….

Mark.

Every part that left the Chadderton Factory had a part number on it. This, as you say, must be an in-service mod. Not only in-service but likely done by the Service – possibly by an apprentice. Are the originals .25″ thick? I didn’t think they were…..16’s guage or 10’s guage was more the norm (0.064″ and 0.128″…or, a 1/16″ or an 1/8″ near enough) for such panels.

Having a good look through my references the diagram is not 100% clear so I have cropped a picture of the panel in XM594 at NAM, the switches are clearly labeled axactly as you described.

The notes I have for some reason have these switchs labeled as FUEL FLOW indicator switch!!.

Just goes to show not all publications are correct!!!!.

Regards,

John.

It might be worthwhile noting that many of the Vulcans that were delivered to museum’s in 1982 / 83 had a lot of avionics kit removed as part of the disposal process.

XM594 was no different – from what I can recall the RAF worked on her for 4 days post-delivery before formally handing over the aircraft.

One can only assume that the replacement items were re-positioned correctly – just a thought! 😮 :confused:

The notes I have for some reason have these switchs labeled as FUEL FLOW indicator switch!!..

Well, I suppose that it is correct in that one of them is the reset switch for the total fuel flow gauge.

Problem with the Vulcan is that the panels went through several in-service mods – all my panels have plates riveted in, and new cut-outs added. As a rule, the same panels stayed with their airframe throughout their life.

Be interested to see an extract from your PN’s though….

Mark.

Having a good look through my references the diagram is not 100% clear so I have cropped a picture of the panel in XM594 at NAM, the switches are clearly labeled axactly as you described.

The notes I have for some reason have these switchs labeled as FUEL FLOW indicator switch!!.

Just goes to show not all publications are correct!!!!.

Regards,

John.

Not quite correct :p

The outer twin rotax switch hole is for the 3-position screen wiper switch, the inner is for the screen de-ice.

The single rotax switch holes are for flood lighting (outer) and flowmeter totaliser reset (inner).

The engine fuel flow rate pushbuttons are on the centre retractable fuel panel.

Somewhat odd are the two single rotax switch holes above where the ASI lives – I’d need to look through my Vulcan AP’s to see if I can find out what they are for.

HTH.

My pilots notes and acompanying diagrams must be wrong then.

John.

Air Ministry,

The switch cut-outs are for FUEL FLOW indicator switches, the gauge above and to the left of them was for fuel flow indication and the two x two way switches were to select which engine you wanted see the fuel flow for.

Hope this helps,

John.

Not quite correct :p

The outer twin rotax switch hole is for the 3-position screen wiper switch, the inner is for the screen de-ice.

The single rotax switch holes are for flood lighting (outer) and flowmeter totaliser reset (inner).

The engine fuel flow rate pushbuttons are on the centre retractable fuel panel.

Somewhat odd are the two single rotax switch holes above where the ASI lives – I’d need to look through my Vulcan AP’s to see if I can find out what they are for.

HTH.

Thanks again guys, all your advice is appreciated.

What a shame there is absolutely no way of identifying the airframe it came from.

The same can be said of most of the collection, as much of it came from the same scrapyard.

All those panels, wheels, grips, throttle boxes and rudder pedals, and no identity for 99.9% of it. (The Defiant throttle box had the serial number of the Mk. II prototype penciled inside it).

Air Ministry,

The switch cut-outs are for FUEL FLOW indicator switches, the gauge above and to the left of them was for fuel flow indication and the two x two way switches were to select which engine you wanted see the fuel flow for.

Hope this helps,

John.

Thanks XM692!

There’s a lesson learned – the cut-outs for the post-war Rotax double switch units are identical to the wartime 5C/543 pattern – if I’d realised that early on I’d not have gone down the head scratching “what version can this be?” route!

There are still a few differences between the one in your photo and my panel. Any suggestions as to what the extra switch cut outs might be for are welcome.

The panel will probably be at Popham aerojumble next weekend….

Looks like an early B.2 panel, thus…..

.