This Weekend's Find

Bond

Hi Mark – Well spotted – yes it is! a 1963 GT 2+2 to be exact & it is well travelled and was seriously rolled once in the past – I have just brought it home! Bonds are another of my interests see: http://bondcars.net Always had a soft spot for lost causes!

Is that a Bond Equipe in your garage, Nick? It hasn’t strayed far from where it was made!

Merlin stand

Nice job Nick;)

Anon.

Merlin stand

Quick update – Here’s the frame I eventually knocked together – many thanks to John of John Robson Ltd near Preston for letting me raid their scrap bin for off-cuts. My own design after looking at several on the net and in museums.

I went for the transverse bolts for the front mountings in the end after I was amazed to find that the nuts undid easily and the bolts were still straight and could be withdrawn – However I replaced the original castellated nuts with plain ones that allowed the bolt thread to come right up to the end of the nut – Quick coat of paint & I think it looks the part? Though I say so myself.:D

[ATTACH]190312[/ATTACH]

smaller reduction gear has been re-fitted since this photo – Oh and yes it is dripping oil!

Not heard that one but there again Middlesborough aint in Yorkshire so that might account for it !!!

Think it was a JU88,got chased by a load of Spitfires in broad day light.

I think in the war years Middlesborough was in the old county of Yorkshire though.

Was it ? must have been a mistake as we are usualy a bit fussy about who we let in.

Two guys from Wakefield went to Spain on holiday .The waiter serving them said Oh you are English ?. The response “Nay Lad we are From Yorkshire !!!!”

sorry I couldnt resist sticking that one in !!!!!!

I think in the war years Middlesborough was in the old county of Yorkshire though.

Wow what a find!! I heard there was a german aircrew covered over in a pond up in yorkshire.The german bomber had been chased down a valley by spitfires and exploded in mid-air near middlesborough.Some people had found the parachute draped out of a pond but couldn`t pull it out because it was `weighted` at the harness end beneath the water. They cut the lines and pinched the chute never saying anything thinking they`d get into trouble.The council filled in the pond much later with the poor soul in it I would assume.

Not heard that one but there again Middlesborough aint in Yorkshire so that might account for it !!!

if they are white nylon they are the best…4inch diameter about 150 kg each IIRC, 5 inch are 200 kg each IIRC (the ones I use)

looks like the ratings are higher on the website 250 to 500kg each!!!!

I must buy some more as £5 is quite a good deal!!!

Wow what a find!! I heard there was a german aircrew covered over in a pond up in yorkshire.The german bomber had been chased down a valley by spitfires and exploded in mid-air near middlesborough.Some people had found the parachute draped out of a pond but couldn`t pull it out because it was `weighted` at the harness end beneath the water. They cut the lines and pinched the chute never saying anything thinking they`d get into trouble.The council filled in the pond much later with the poor soul in it I would assume.

Thanks Rocketeer, But have already been given a set of strong looking castors (think they are flexello) – Is there any way of telling the weight rating of them? – Just to be safe.

Also trying to source some steel locally – Without paying too much! 😉 But need a few design ideas – I am quite able to weld vehicle body and chassis work – up to Landy / Volvo Amazon gauge. So was hoping to build something myself – Merlin Pete is probably a good source as you say and not too far away.

The Catterick Spitfire saga sounds a bit of a B*##er – I recall attending a Halifax dig over that way many years ago and the farmer ended up hijacking it and decided he liked the two engines (Hercules and very intact) we found so much he would keep them 😡

A local yard does decent flexello wheels at £5 each, I designed a trolley and a local firm charged £80 to make it!

Hi do any of these help ??

This engine was recovered by a land owner from the wreck of two spitfires that midaired over Catterick. We where given the engine on semi permanent loan to restore and display(eighteen months ago).After three months he got a better offer and I now understand its COFFEE TABLES what we and many others could do with this engine.

There definately is no justice !!!!!!!!!! The man should have had his big ends removed without anasetic !!!!!!!.

But there is worse than that so I wont continue I know you will run out of paper hankies if I do !!!!!

NO, definitely no ambitions to try for a runner! I would think that the 15 degree kink in the front 12 inches of the crankshaft would put pay to that in any case! – So static it is!

Thanks for the offer Anon – PM me for contact details – I had thought of the main bearing bolts as I definitely do not want to start drilling through anything if I can avoid it. The left rear mounting unit is still attached and the right rear one has partially broken off but only the outer section and has not gone through the casing so there is a cavity that a pad of some sort could be inserted into and it could then rest on it – Though we may have some of the damaged parts, when we have cleaned everything up, as we always take everything back with us on a dig.

Elliott – I confess I have not heard of Altrans – I have used a product called “caravan pride” before which is a lot less abrasive than “T-cut” and doesn’t leave such a messy residue, but I confess trying to stop paint lifting off dug items is usually of far more concern to me than improving the appearance!

Ian – will speak to you soon.

I would think that Merlin Pete would be the ideal person to give suggestions on good mounting places,unless he is still fighting with a Merlin in his conservatory.

wow!
nice one, i would give my left arm and right leg for that (or the top one)!! :D:D
regards Sam

Spent yesterday afternoon re-arranging my workshop to fit the Merlin in, but still leave me enough room to get around it + get the trailer in too with the rest of KH838 still on it! I suppose I could have pushed one of the cars outside, but managed eventually.

Afraid I still need the lifting straps Alan, as due to the Oil and coolant pumps all being intact, it is impossible to keep it the right way up unless it is suspended – The roof beam and rolling hook are rated well above its weight, but I definitely need a new chain hoist!

Anyone on here got any tips on the best points to attach a dug Merlin to a frame? All but one of the original mountings have gone or are too damaged to use. I would like to be able to incorporate the sections of engine bearer back in their correct positions – but obviously not structurally! I need to get it mobile, as it needs power washing ASAP! Any design tips for a display frame or pointers to photos greatly appreciated.

Hi do any of these help ??

NO, definitely no ambitions to try for a runner! I would think that the 15 degree kink in the front 12 inches of the crankshaft would put pay to that in any case! – So static it is!

Thanks for the offer Anon – PM me for contact details – I had thought of the main bearing bolts as I definitely do not want to start drilling through anything if I can avoid it. The left rear mounting unit is still attached and the right rear one has partially broken off but only the outer section and has not gone through the casing so there is a cavity that a pad of some sort could be inserted into and it could then rest on it – Though we may have some of the damaged parts, when we have cleaned everything up, as we always take everything back with us on a dig.

Elliott – I confess I have not heard of Altrans – I have used a product called “caravan pride” before which is a lot less abrasive than “T-cut” and doesn’t leave such a messy residue, but I confess trying to stop paint lifting off dug items is usually of far more concern to me than improving the appearance!

Ian – will speak to you soon.

Crashed engine mounting frame.

Stands such as these are usually best made by seeing what of the original engine the new supports can be attached to, then fabricating and welding a stand around that.

Of course, the original mounts would be preferable but Nick’s engine has not got these so that one’s out. There may be something that could be undone and the supports attached there in lieu. Perhaps some of the transverse main journal bolts would do and this would keep the original mounting pad positions clear for re-attachment of the original bearers and mounts.

Each engine, even those of the same type, will have broken up differently on impact so it is really a case of seeing what is available to attach to in each individual case. Failing that, the crank case sides could be drilled and a new attachment made there though this method is less preferable.

Would be happy to take a look, Nick, and offer advice if I could view the engine. I have built about 40+ stands and mounted 6 cockpits on bespoke stands or trailers so I have a bit of experience in this department.

Anon.

Glad the dig went well, looks like a very nice Merlin. Doug at Fort Perch Rock is after a frame for 1st.Lt johnson’s P51 packard as well so perhaps a bulk buy? The frame they had made for engine from P7533 really looks the part.No wheels though which might be a problem. Would love to see what else you found.

At the moment it is in my workshop draining! 65 years of water seeping into it is gradually emptying now it has finally returned to the horizontal. Also the oil lines have ruptured near the front, where part of the sump is missing, so I am trying to catch the oil before it ends up all over the floor as well! I am removing the larger lumps of clay by hand, but a power washer will be involved soon – No stiff brushes or harsh direct jetting as it still retains 99% of it original painted finish and I intend to keep it that way. Then I suspect it will be many evenings of picking out any remaining clay with wooden picks and old toothbrushes, a bit of selective careful dismantling to ensure no clay or water remains in any cavities. I intend to use microcrystalline wax to inhibit the bright parts such as nuts and bolt heads against corrosion and protect the painted finish.

Once you have given it a good clean then what?

Strip it and repair it to a static runner or a full rebuild or just leave it as is?:cool: