Overhaul Manual for Bristol Hercules XVI

Looking for a Bristol Hercules Modification 3810 to the blower shaft drive. Need copy of the detail to assist in our build of a hybrid engine. Any info on source welcome

Was embodied on Hercules 216 engines, possibly other late engines.

3-year ‘Brat’ – respect from a 2-year CA ‘Brat’. 

I think that what I was struggling to suggest in my last post is that metallurgy is starting to playing a bigger part in keeping these old motors running. ONS spares, however well stored, deteriorate over time, and the best workshop skills (although vital) are no longer all that’s required.

As to that well oiled tool… other than an extractor… F&B did like their special tools, didn’t they.

The OP (old person) working on the Beaufighter engine was trained at RAF Halton in ’56 to 59 on the Merlin and Hercules 100, we had no manuals or special tools but were just told what to do! Fast forward to 2024 and we are trying to find out the proper way to do things.

What is this Bristol tool for?

Given that the OPer is working on TFC’s Beau at DX, I think you are preaching to the converted!

If the OP hasn’t already seen them, I would encourage them to read and digest reports (and similar) in the links below;

https://www.gov.uk/aaib-reports/aaib-investigation-to-hawker-sea-fury-t…

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/612f8f04d3bf7f0387e8aa37…

Although the subject engines in the reports are not the same as the OP is involved with, the reports do highlight the extra work (£€$) and lengths operators need go to in order to try and keep them operating safely. The Overhaul manuals are just the starting point as engines age beyond their original intended life.

rgds.

Hi All,

BF6:- Any use ? https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/386787143040?mkevt=1&mkpid=0&emsid=e11050.m43.l1123&mkcid=26&ch=osgood&euid=3f0e94b97cc04d84b8bfb4c1f022bbea&bu=43107121746&osub=-1%7E1&crd=20240907113748&segname=11050

Have contacted seller to ask about anymore tools with FB prefix.

Thinking outside the box with this thought below !!! 

Being that several engine manufacturers where competing to power various aircraft is it possible they would have tried to get hold of whatever engine manuals and the like to see what the competition was up to ?

If so would it be possible that these manuals etc. etc. would have just got shelved and kept or binned once they realised they were either behind or ahead of the game ?

If they kept them is it theoretically possible that these companies who went on to lead the way today have these manuals etc. etc. still in their archives just gathering dust ?

Geoff.

Thanks for heads up, but looking of an Air Publication Volume 6 for early Bristol Hercules. Fitted to Bristol Beaufighter, HP Halifax, Short Stirling, Vickers Wellington, Avro Lancaster.

Not for the Mk.XVI unfortunately but..

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/WW2-RAF-HERCULES-ENGINE-MANUALS-LANCASTER-MK…

Been through Geoff’s list, no luck I’m afraid. Anybody able to search Australian archives?

Thanks Geoff, that will keep me busy. 

Very often manuals were given to museums but storage was a problem so many got dumped. RAF Museum have a few but not for early marks of engine.

Hi All,

BF6 – Any use ? I assume that some of the  links below you may have already tried or think they are not of any value ?  The way I look at it is they may have leads that your normal channels do not it’s worth a try at least isn’t it ? 

Dumb question time again!:- I assume that all the Museums and Airforces / Air Engineering services across the globe who used Hercules engines when donating or getting rid of them they gave all the engineering manuals along with them ?

If this was the case:-  What has happened to all these manuals that where possibly gifted to museums ?   Surely there must be at least one still in the museums archives or do museums just dump everything when out of date ?

Could it be a case of whomever asked to find the info couldn’t be arsed to do a physical search just on the off chance ?  A case of rather look at a PC screen and go with that and just say they where thrown away for easiness  ?

Another thing that astonishes me is the lack or apparent lack of cooperation between all the rebuilders,  from Hobby engine rebuilders to Professionals they are hoping to achieve the same goal running Hercules engines yes ?

There is just the one difference between both sets of restorers IMPO some want airworthy engines for their restored aircraft to fly,  why not all come together and help each other out ?  Never mind whoever wants a certain item to complete there engine and another has it spare but will not aid the other for whatever reason ?

I always thought all restorers had the same aim to bring history alive quite literally ?  very sad really IMPO, unless I have got it completely wrong in which case:- 

I wholeheartedly apologise for any offence caused for my error of judgement.

https://www.aircraft-reports.com/bristol-hercules-vi-and-xvi-aircraft-engine-technical-manual-english-language/

http://www.shuttlewortharchives.co.uk/svas-lookup.php?order=svas_records.BOOK_ID%20ASC&limit=250&offset=0&group=&title=hercules&publisher=&author=

https://www.avialogs.com/reader.php?jid=102602

https://www.avialogs.com/engines-b/bristol-aeroplane-company/item/102602-bristol-hercules-630-series-engines-maintenance-manual

https://bristol-hercules.co.uk/

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/142076124808

https://www.enginehistory.org/members/indexEng.php (Need to join up to view)

https://www.google.com/search?sca_esv=a5619828d3b120be&rlz=1C1CHBD_en-GBGB721GB812&q=overhaul+manual+for+bristol+hercules+xvi&udm=2&fbs=AEQNm0Aa4sjWe7Rqy32pFwRj0UkWd8nbOJfsBGGB5IQQO6L3J_86uWOeqwdnV0yaSF-x2joQcoZ-0Q2Udkt2zEybT7HdnwtJ4zecPSJKnTlqcRa4FingmzFHjMvqrWogZeShrrLVDeibS-5yZzsmYor4Krf6WoChzeuSwvgUMYwML507ycF_GBPIi95OGwcvBnfQE_zRQRk4&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjz24S7-6uIAxWUR0EAHTlaBZ84ChC0qAt6BAgQEAE&biw=1137&bih=712&dpr=0.9

(Trawl through the images in above link)

https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/collections/document/28715

https://www.google.com/search?q=hercules+engine+rebuild+projects+2024&rlz=1C1CHBD_en-GBGB721GB812&oq=hercules+engine+rebuild+projects+2024&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOTIHCAEQIRigAdIBCjE4NTM2ajBqMTWoAgiwAgE&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

https://www.eflightmanuals.com/ITEM_EFM/SLIST_EFM.asp

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/186370607993?mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&campid=5338722076&customid=&toolid=10050

https://picclick.co.uk/Bristol-Hercules-630-Series-Aero-engine-Maintenance-Manual-1947-186370607993.html

Geoff.