July 27, 2015 at 5:10 pm
Odd that this hasn’t been mentioned here.
25th July 2015
This evenings ‘drama’ at Coningsby – Hurricane LF363 called a Mayday a few miles out with a major oil leak. Accompanied by Parky flying the Spit alongside giving advice and encouragement the Hurricane was thankfully brought back safely. The first photo you can see the black underside all the way along the aircraft – reckon they were very lucky to get the aircraft back to the base. After witnessing the Lanc a few weeks back with an engine fire – makes me realise how professional these pilots are under genuine serious situations. Utmost respect to them all and for bringing these priceless aircraft back in one piece for us all to enjoy.
Paul Harvey > βRAF Coningsby Spotters Group
Moggy
By: Bomberboy - 28th July 2015 at 23:17
The supply is still out there, but it won’t last forever.
You’re right there Mike and I will hazard at a guess that the air racers in the states, ‘use up’ a disproportionate number of engines.
I have seen some rows of a number of engines in the states too.
By: Mike J - 28th July 2015 at 22:28
I’ve personally stood in a warehouse in the U.S. and looked down the rows of Merlin engine cores in containers. The supply is still out there, but it won’t last forever.
By: 467 sqn RAAF - 28th July 2015 at 21:50
Nearly 200,000 Merlin units built between RR and Packard, must be a few thousand still knocking around in some form. Wasn’t there a “rumour” of a warehouse over in Canada where there was quiet a few engine blocks and other components boxed up??
By: spit1940 - 28th July 2015 at 21:44
Rolls Royce have told me that PS853 suffered a broken spark plug causing a miss fire whilst displaying at Cranwell last week.There’s no engine damage and the aircraft is now serviceable.
By: Arabella-Cox - 28th July 2015 at 19:30
The BBMF have posted she will fly again next week as the issue was a cracked oil pipe.
Curlyboy
By: tfctops - 28th July 2015 at 19:13
You’re not going to tell me the people at BBMF know what they are doing.
Respect to them and lets hope the Lanc is back up soon.
By: The Bump - 28th July 2015 at 19:07
In other news, the BBMF FB page ( a reliable source) say LF should be ready to resume its duties next week after repair to a cracked oil pipe.
By: tfctops - 28th July 2015 at 15:44
Don’t think I’ll be joining the Coningsby spotters group any time soon.
By: The Bump - 28th July 2015 at 15:36
In reference to Facebook comments / spotters groups etc……(.and apologies for thread drift) but some of the dumbest comments are to be found on aviation related Facebook pages.
For example I recall a dumbo last year on the Biggin Hill Festival of Flight FB page bemoaning the fact that there was no USAF participation including F111’s,F16’s ,F15’s etc etc. I used commendable restraint by politely suggesting that the poster had been on the moon since about 1992.
It’s a shame that many forums are being shunned in favour of Facebook groups.
Glad the Key Forums are going strong !
By: D1566 - 28th July 2015 at 13:33
Was the engine damaged or did she get shut down early enough?
I doubt that anyone could answer that with any degree of certainty, except the Engineer who gets to strip it down?
By: trumper - 28th July 2015 at 13:00
Was the engine damaged or did she get shut down early enough?
By: TwinOtter23 - 28th July 2015 at 10:14
Pleased to have been of assistance and good wishes to the BBMF in sorting out this problem. π
By: Piston - 28th July 2015 at 09:46
Try this link https://www.facebook.com/britainatwarmag
Thank you Twin Otter, that works for me π
By: Mike meteor - 28th July 2015 at 09:40
Worked for me, thanks – appreciate it.
Not a ‘techie’ but it looked serious all right. Almost as though the underside had been painted.
By: TwinOtter23 - 28th July 2015 at 08:50
Try this link https://www.facebook.com/britainatwarmag
By: Piston - 28th July 2015 at 08:35
The images can be seen by simply googling LF363 Oil Leak and looking at the FaceBook page. That’s for non facebookers like me, as the above links don’t work unless you’re a FBer.
By: Mike J - 28th July 2015 at 07:57
The photographer forfeited that right as soon as he uploaded them to Facebook.
Which is exactly why I don’t post any photos on here any more. People think they can just help themselves as they apparently become some sort of public property.
By: Binbrook 01 - 28th July 2015 at 00:06
I know Lee has his work cut out on it….
Anyhow top marks to Parky and the other pilot for getting 363 back home safely
Tim
By: David_Kavangh - 27th July 2015 at 23:47
I have noticed that for a spotters group, a lot of their aircraft recognition is a bit suspect.
By: MN138 - 27th July 2015 at 23:41
Glad she’s safe. Only saw her and P7350 perform on Friday at Sunderland