Metheringham, a little gem.

Just wait and see what the New Year will bring, there might be an option locally to get it under cover. Cant say much at the minute but i think you will be pleased with whats in the pipeline.

Thanks Bruce, hopefully talk again soon, once everything is de-frosted!

Re the above hangarage solutions, all very good ideas, and all have been discussed, but the site and accomodation agreement is very limiting. We continue to explore options and hopefully once she is up and running it will spur actions on this front with the people on the board.
We would prefer more permanent type buildings, but failing this then the more temporary options will need to be re-visited and something done pretty quickly.

Couldn’t you constuct a simple open sided shelter and call it a cattle stall? As long as it keeps the rain and snow of the plane(‘s) it’s got to be better than leaving them in the open. Given sufficient overhang, the elements could be contain ….somewhat. Of coarse, you need the money to complete an enterprize of this nature, but……if a local farmer wants to pull down an old barn or shed…….

Wish I was there to help, but someone has to be here so that the sun-shine isn’t wasted. Temperature currently 25, climbing to 30 degrees. :diablo:

Short term isn’t a polytunnel the best answer to getting a cover over an aircraft?

No planning permission needed presumably for an agricultural greenhouse.

Moggy

A grey area, but when an agricultural building is used for purposes other than agriculture, it is change of use ; rule of thumb, if it can be seen from a public right of way, the local authority will be interested, and the oft used phrase “detrimental to the visual amenity” is trotted out.

Short term isn’t a polytunnel the best answer to getting a cover over an aircraft?

No planning permission needed presumably for an agricultural greenhouse.

Moggy

I will have a look for those instruments when I can get back in the shed!

Bruce

We are still just out of shot on the above, the six black silos are indeed our nearest landmark. The picture is quite old, neither XS177 or the Hunter are on site at that time.

The question about getting XS186 under cover is our biggest concern. So much work has gone into the project, we do have long term fears unless a solution is found. Any offers of suitable buildings would be most gratefully received !

I was humbled once again yesterday, after having struggled through snow and ice, passing many cars who had not made it to their respective destinations, to check all was o.k. I expected to get back into my car and get back home, never expecting to see a soul on such a harsh day (it stayed at -2 to -3 all day).
Within an hour every single crew member who was not away for Christmas was there, and after a quick cuppa (after de-icing the kettle which had solid ice in it even though it was in the crew room!) clicked straight into role, and stuck with it. Incredible tenacity. Deep respect.

GOTCHA. Thanks Livewire. I had looked at this complex previously but was a bit too high and looking for the Hunter ie something red. Still can’t find that though. Is it in the same area? The only thing I found that could be it is shown below but it is on the airfield side of the road and partially hidden by trees (click image to enlarge). BTW, it is deceiving as to how large the airfield was in it’s hey day. My impression was that it’s bounderies were all to the right of Moor lane.
Any chance of getting the aircraft under cover? It would be a pity to see them, and your hard work, ruined by the English weather. On the other hand, you could box them up and send them to me :diablo:. I live in the driest state, in the driest continent on Earth. When we do get rain, it’s warm….usually.
Have a nice day now, I will.

Try 53″07’19,41 N 0″21’17.45 W JP XS186 just in front of the 6 curcular buldings. Can’t be that far from a famous ww2 Pilot Officer and poet’s grave.

We are in the bottom right corner of the shot, maybe just out of shot, can’t quite make out what is shown on there. We are actually in the admin area of the airfield, on the other side of the main road that runs along the end of the runways (remains of). The runways are in part public highways, so no chance of anything being set up on that side of the complex, other than a rather impressive monument which is already up there.

The Hunter is notoriously difficult to spot from the air, if we are aloft it’s always XS177 in the red and white that’s the beacon, as XS186 is in overall grey and dayglo, but hidden somewhat by trees.

Paul
XS186 CREW

G’day Guys, seasonal greetings from down-under. Too hot to go out today haha, so I’ve spent my time trying to find you on GoogleEarth. Searched the airfield but can’t find any indication of your museum/visitor centre or parked aircraft. Now I know the GE is probably about 3 years out of date so, as we ask in our holiday adverts, “Where the bloody hell are you?’

Keep up the good works. Never worked on a Provost in my RAF career but would love to see it fly one day.

Thanks David, any other offers of instrument swops ?

One of the crew has reminded me of what we do this for, chance to be part of an engine run can be arranged (the inside of the aircraft bit!), clearly a bribe, but hey, if it works!

Paul
XS186 CREW

The PSI gauge looks distinctly familiar – I will delve into my shed in the morning!

Thanks for posting Ted, could i put out a request please:

If anyone / organisation has either of these instruments that are found to be in working condition, or provide parts for ours to get working, and they would be willing to do a swop for unserviceable ones we have, we would be eternally grateful !

We have asked all the well known suppliers, but costs for certified instruments are prohibitive.
We would pay reasonable costs or offer any other surplus instruments that might help projects etc. as we have several boxes of spares that we have built up over the years.

We would be happy to drive to anywhere (UK!) to test instruments and arrange swops / purchases and if a JP requires the above instruments removing / changing, we can do that, and may be able to supply parts that the JP may be missing, as again we have a large spares stock for JP’s.

These instruments are the final obstacles to us starting XS186 for the first time since 1968, and whilst we are frustrated that we cannot find serviceable replacements or spares for them, we will not start XS186 without full instrumentation.

Thanks in anticipation!

Paul
XS186 CREW

Have you got pics of those gauges – probably have them – somewhere!
Also, make sure your RPM is wired the right way round – its easy to wire them backwards.
Bruce

Attached are photos of the gauges. RPM is on existing plugs which are original so should be OK. Generator is outputing an AC voltage OK.

Hi Bruce

I’ll photograph the gauges on Saturday and pop the pics on here.

The RPM gauge has a plug arrangement, male on the gauge, and we have correct feeds at the female plug end.
I think the RPM gauge style was common to several types, but none of the ones we have found are the correct part number, so it must just be the calibration that’s different for the various gauge/engine combinations.

Thanks for looking in advance.

Paul
XS186 CREW

Have you got pics of those gauges – probably have them – somewhere!

Also, make sure your RPM is wired the right way round – its easy to wire them backwards.

Bruce

Hi Peter

XS186 has been run up on the starter, without ignitors plugged in, all by the book and with support from ‘sooties’ from our local RAF station who have considerable past experience with the JP.
The only reason ignitors have been left off is that we have found some instrumentation problems, including vital oil pressure, and RPM.
Sure these problems will be overcome after some more digging around for replacement gauges. We have tested the oil feed / pressure, sender and tacho generator (and wiring) and they are fine, so we figure it has to be gauges.
As always we take no chances with safety or systems management. Too much hard work compromised, and after six years we are wary of rushing so close to the finish!

If anyone has leads on:

RPM gauge 6A/1054258
OIL PRESSURE gauge 6A/4364327

Any help much appreciated ?

Paul
XS186 CREW

Are there any plans to get the JP running?

http://www.thisislincolnshire.co.uk/news/Model-tribute-400-Lancaster-heroes/article-1101100-detail/article.html