Mystery wheel set ?????

Many thanks guys for the further info; I knew you would have all the answers!

I had heard that Tempest wheels were also retro fitted to Typhoons as they were of a superior build to the Typhoons original fitment, so all rings true. I did manage to uncover the rest of the text of the part number on the tailwheel tyre which revealed the part number 41-A2346 if that makes any difference. I’ve also been told the Westland whirlwind also had the same tailwheel tyre.

Still no news on the other main wheel but I’ll be sure to keep you posted. 🙂

Hi Darren,
C U in here, another pm waiting for you m8.

Bill T.

My pleasure, just a piece of random carp I remembered! Checked Google to make sure I was remembering straight!

Adrian

Well didn’t realize that, Thanks Adrian.

Thanks for that great pointer Adrian, had no idea up till now and never thought of Wilkepedia. Interesting too, Typhoon prototype. Learn something every day in here.

Bill T.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hawker_Tornado

Adrian

WV-903
The tyre inflation valves photos in post #19 look very like inflation valves for tubeless tyres and cannot be fitted to inner tubes which have these already moulded in. I would suggest that useing a hacksaw on these would render them useless.

Hi Credible Sport,
Yes indeed, they are, but because of the corroded /damaged state of these mainwheels you cannot pressurize them in any way, so an inner tube will not be needed, but some sort of internal filler/packing/whatever inside tyres, or just put tyres on to hubs once the inflation valves are cemented or glued into their hub channels. The whole idea being that these wheel assy’s will “look” the part for static display (unloaded and no pressure inside.) only. But they will have been saved from “The Dead” for posterity. The inflation valves can have inner bits sawn off or left on, it doesn’t really matter, as those bits inside wouldn’t be seen anyway. My thoughts are they will help the project perfectly and won’t be used again but stay with these wheels till “whatever”.

These wheels.———we are talking about saving something that most folks would consign to the scrap bin, but once finished they will look superb and judging by Darrens earlier pics. of work done so far, he is right on course to achieve this. But thanks for commenting about Valve assy’s.– appreciated.

Bill T.

WV-903
The tyre inflation valves photos in post #19 look very like inflation valves for tubeless tyres and cannot be fitted to inner tubes which have these already moulded in. I would suggest that useing a hacksaw on these would render them useless.

Hi Darren,
Great enthusiasm and glad to be able to help m8. Very interesting finds. Be great to see what mainwheel /tyre assy. your dad has located. This tailwheel tyre certainly is in good condition, it’s a static elect. conducting tyre(filled with graphite in the manufacturers initial Tyre mix. ) needed to get rid of static build-up in Airframe after aircraft flight and certainly seems to be brand new old stock. (Amazing after some 70 years since manufacture). I don’t think it’s a Dunlop and cannot ascertain exactly, But it looks like either a Goodyear or Palmer and my guess is on the Palmer make as this tyre is British made and was fitted on Tailwheel hub Dunlop AH-5007 which is definitely early WW2 and was fitted to:- Typhoon, Tornado(whatever that was ? ) Lysander 3 FireBrand and Blenheims 1-4 and 5. Although one Mk of Blenheim had a 5.50″x 6″ tyre fitted on an AH 5007 Hub. My Dunlop Lists don’t mention Tempest tailwheels, but I’m pretty sure this is the one. And someone could well have the correct Hub assy. lying around. Thanks for pm, will get back to you later as brain has flagged up:- “deeeeeeeed” now–lol !!!!

Bill T.

Many thanks again Bill, you are an absolute star. I’m just about to pm you now.

Unbelievably, my father-in-law who works occasionally for the local landowner from whom these wheels came from, believes he may have found and acquired another main wheel complete with original tyre (albeit flat)! Hopefully he will come through with this and we’ll be one step closer!

I acquired a tailwheel wheel tyre for a mere £10 this week, but I’m not sure of its fitment. It has a few marks but appears to be NOS or have had very little use. It’s 5.50 – 4 WL14, which I believe may have been fitted to later Tempests, but I’m really not sure. It was certainly worth the gamble of £10 as it’s a nice display piece if nothing else.

The part number is partially missing so have posted a few pics below to see if anybody has any ideas?

Many thanks,

Darren

More info Darren.

Hi Darren,
Finally found those 2 Inflation Valve assemblies, here’s some pics. pm me an address and I’ll pop em in the post to you. They are new and I’ve removed the yellow caps as they are only for tyres of over 100psi pressure. I’m not exactly sure what type caps were used during WW2 but it’s my guess they would be same as Motorcycle ones of the time or similar to ones fitted to RAF Ground equipment trolleys tyres ,even today. ( Cat Fairey on e-Bay has some on sale now ).

These 2 Inflation assemblies have brass stems ,spring inner valves fitted and the inner tube connection ,(Which you don’t need of course, so they can stay or be sawn off. ) at other end. My thoughts were that you could epoxy /glue each assembly into the appropriate slot in each wheel, further inside and with that done and valve caps fitted, she really looks the part.
Next step is to find some tyres,–hmmm !! I’ll bet a pair will turn up somewhere ,sooner or later.

Bill T.

Thanks very much Bill, your posts have really inspired me to try and finish the job properly. The Sea Hawk wheel looks fantastic and finished to an exceptional quality. Certainly a testament to what can be achieved, and something to aspire to.

You were correct with the loose flanges, with both being in very poor condition, they will probably need more that gentle persuasion. I am currently working on the bearings and will eventually reseat them properly. It a shame that I missed out on the original tyres by a matter of months as they too had been sitting in the farmers yard for many years until they were eventually dumped.

I have exactly the same problem with my Wife, and She likes to refer to my collection as “scrap metal” LOL.

Many thanks again, and I’ll keep you posted with further developments.

Ah found some pics. !!!!

Ha !!!! Found a pic. at first stab. Luckily Restored wheel was able to be separated easily as the Navy had applied Yellow chromate Grease on Main hub bolts, which was still good some 40 yrs. later. I was eventually able to inflate wheel to 60 psi and seat tyre beads. Used Canberra (New ) Nosewheel Inner tube inside. It took me ages to fit those Big castellated wheel nuts split pins exactly as we used to do during my mob time in tyre bays some near 50 years ago now. But wheel looks great now, In fact it is perfectly serviceable for a Museum or Ground taxying Aircraft if needed.(I moved it on to Jet Art Aviation- Chris Wilson ) as wife was not happy about garden full of aviation tat. lol !!

————————————————————-

Found more info.
The Place I get my tools, paints, all sorts of stuff from is :- “Frosts Auto Restoration Techniques”. As we are talking about static Aircraft display stuff most times in here, these people have really good idea’s and gear, a tad expensive, but really good quality stuff.

Link here:- http://www.frost.co.uk/

On my Wheel I used Dinitrol Converust RC 800 on steel parts and Eastwood Pre-Painting prep. Self Etching primer and “Aluma Blast”. Aluminium replication paint for wheel external surfaces. There are many others you can use though, highly applicable to our hobby, So have a look. OK have to go in loft , so will commence search for Valve assemblies.

Bill T.

Hello again Darren,
Apologies for not getting back to you, (busy). That is a great job you have done on these pair of wheels and really considering their age and where they have sat for many years is amazing what you have “Clawed back” from this project for posterity. I never thought you would get those bearings out easily and the housings are in unbelievably good condition. And as expected the corrosion pitting around outer parts of wheel is as we thought. I’m also surprised at the good condition of Brake drum and housing, attach bolts, etc.
So as they sit as coffee tables, it at least gives you time to ponder on what sort of future they will have.

For myself, to see them back with tyres on, lock rings ,bearings and plates fitted, (tyres filled with something as you cannot pressurize units now. and unit and tyre creep marks painted back on back. You can achieve this with a bit of “cheating” so that wheels would look perfect for a static display in an historic aviation setting somewhere. Tempest wheels are now a rarity so this is worth doing. What I would do with those loose flanges (If they will not budge through corrosion ) is to saw them through across the worst bits, so relieving the pressure on the hub, then they should eventually slide off (with gentle persuasion). These Loose Flanges can be “Glued” (so to speak) back together on that cut with any of the excellent modern “Metal Set” applications around these days. Then wheels and loose flanges can be:- Pits filled, primered and top painted to give a nice effect. Tyres put on. Loose flanges re-fitted. Scratch made up lock rings (any soft bar will do) fitted in wire locked (For effect). And (when I find em) I’ll donate you 2 New inflation Valve assembles that can be “Glued” further inside to give effect of ” All ship shape and Bristol fashion”. Grease and fit bearings, paint and fit lock plates and and finally paint on Unit and tyre Creep marks. Then take these to Newark C/pit Fest next year and let other enthusiasts see what you did. They will be very interested.
I’ll put up some pics of a Sea Hawk wheel I did this sort of job on, to give you an idea of how it worked for me. , will also mention what materials I used.

Hope this helps Darren and best wishes with this excellent project.

Bill T.

Just until I work out what to do with these and eventually put them to better use, they are currently making a rather nice pair of coffee tables (all instantly reversible of course!). It’s the only way I’m being allowed to keep them in the house!

Thanks very much Bill, that would be much appreciated!

Hi Darren,
Great job. I just typed out a huge screed to you on further restoration, but lost it all because of timing limitations here in forum(Even though had saved it all ) 😡 So breaking out the liquid refreshment and will get this re-typed and posted again in a few days time. Catch up later. Aaarrrrrrrrgggggghhhhhhhhhhh !!!!!

Bill T.

Thanks Fouga23/Rob. Yes, it’s a shame my budget would probably only stretch to an Airfix model! LOL

Yes very nice. Now all you need is a Tempest project to fit them onto 😉

Rob

They look good! 🙂

Hi all,

The wheels are now free of their manufactured axles and acricultural tyres, and are fresh back from being professionally blasted.

There was quite a bit of corrosion, more so to the loose flanges where the wheel had been sat for many years with flat tyres full of water, but now I think would display very nicely. I,m unsure whether they would be fit for anything more as I’m not familiar with how much a professional wheel restorer can do. The main wheels appear to be pretty much structurally sound but some bits are worse than others.

I have manged to retain the original bearings, and covers, albeit the front bearings have some damage as the makeshift axle had been welded to them. The original brake drums are present bolted into the inside of the wheel. Strangely the farmer had used the original aircraft stub, and welded tubular extension to them to make the axle, so he had obviously obtained more than just the wheel and tyre.

I have attached some pics below….

Cheers,

Darren