I have been quiet on here of late, mainly as we have had an insane number of large events going on (Cockpit Day, Wings and Wheels, Cruisers night #2) but with all that out of the way, it’s time to re focus the Museum members towards working on the aircraft.
In my case, because it’s my favourite aircraft bar none, I started on the Beaufighter.
This aircraft has not had a detailed clean in nearly 25 years, so the grime, dust and even accumulated sludge from the last engine run waaaaay back when (199?) so there is a lot to get through. But I’m happy with the first few hours effort.
In addition I donated an original engine starter cover and cowl gill switch which have been fitted into the cockpit. Also many boxes and wiring have been refastened and now being cleaned up.
A couple of before and after pics below for those interested. And for those asking about engine runs returning for the Beau……………………………………………….. the aircraft is still alive, work to be done, let’s see in 2015 and what it brings π
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Before
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After
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Before
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After
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You can see the difference here
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By: trumper - 25th March 2015 at 08:33
π Well done ,wish i lived nearer to give you a hand.
By: Bellarine - 24th March 2015 at 21:17
Any chance of asking Dr Jones if he flew A19-144 and if so….. did he record the aircraft’s individual code letter?
I did ask that question, he couldn’t remember sadly, he did bring in some great personal pics of 31SQDN which I hope to get a scan of in the future. We also met another pilot this week, 90 year old who had flown just 22 hours on the Beau but spent that time doing strafing runs in PNG. I hope to head to his place soon for a chat and see what info he can provide us. We have been lucky of late to find these crew members, especially as their ranks are thinning out faster than we can keep up :/
By: Mustang51 - 24th March 2015 at 21:01
Any chance of asking Dr Jones if he flew A19-144 and if so….. did he record the aircraft’s individual code letter?
By: spadegrip - 24th March 2015 at 17:15
This is a great thread, your dedication to the beautiful old Beau is fantastic, I do hope all your ambitions for her come good, it would be a spectacular and worthwhile achievement. I wish we could overcome the problems we are up against getting our Beau airworthy in the UK, it’s such an important type that needs to be put back in the spotlight.
By: Dr Strangelove - 24th March 2015 at 09:10
Not only great work, but that Beau looks to be in exceptionally good condition. Well done :eagerness:
By: Trak-Tor - 24th March 2015 at 09:08
Great work! Just keep it coming! :eagerness:
By: Malcolm McKay - 24th March 2015 at 08:38
Good work Evan – that Beau’s coming up a treat.
By: Bellarine - 24th March 2015 at 07:52
Is it really over two months since my last post ? sheesh, no wonder! Been clocking up 60 hours a week plus in my day job so the poor Beau has not been getting my attention.
But, I got back into it last weekend and started on the centre area floor. I can safely say it has not been done since 1980 as the amount of caked on gunge is ridiculous. So, armed with a few toothbrushes, Mr sheen and four bags of rags, I got to work. Each area takes about an hour to do.
Before just to the right of the observer seat
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After
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Before – this is just behind the bulkhead where the front pilot access port is (my terminology)
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And after
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As school holidays approach I will be looking to get into the engine areas and work on the firewalls. Having let the aircraft rest for a bit shows where the leaks are, and there are a few. Time to fix them up !
By: Trak-Tor - 12th January 2015 at 10:04
Excellent work there! And fantastic pictures! π
By: Bellarine - 12th January 2015 at 09:55
So when can I expect to see it on the usual Moorabbin flight path down Centre Dandenong Road into Park Road and over my house. π
Wouldn’t that be just the best thing to happen π Anyone out there have a spare few million to help get it in the air ? Oh and a set of props for the port side, couple of engine spares and someone small enough to fit into the pilot seat and fly it !
By: Malcolm McKay - 12th January 2015 at 09:50
So when can I expect to see it on the usual Moorabbin flight path down Centre Dandenong Road into Park Road and over my house. π
By: Bellarine - 12th January 2015 at 09:41
OK Pt Two of the weekend work
Starboard side cleaned up
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Armament access panel starboard removed. This was to locate the source of an old leak of hydraulic fluid – turns out it was the hand pump
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View inside where the cannons were.
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Cleaned up the tailfin – stuck the camera in, and only just realised thanks to an eagle eye on Facebk that there is a whopping birds nest up top. Right that’s coming out !
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In amongst this we had a very special visit on the Sunday. 94 year old Flying Officer Dr Bruce Jones came in to visit and see the Beau. He is a former member of 30/31 SQDN who flew Beaus from Coomalie Creek, provided escorts for Catalinas from Broome and served from Morotai. A lovely bloke and he was thrilled to see the aircraft finished in 31SQDN markings (their code is EH) even though the actual number of the aircraft is different. He was full of amazing and funny stories, showed us some photos and pointed out who he knew on the honour role. The Museum’s Beaufighter is dedicated to 31SQDN. I will drop in and have a coffee with him as he wants to introduce me to his mate in the nursing home who is a survivor of Bomber Command and a member of the Caterpillar Club.
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I will be headed off to the beach for a couple of weeks but will resume the work when I return. Cheers
By: Bellarine - 12th January 2015 at 09:32
Been some interesting things going on – heres some updates.
As per previous post – we now cycle both props regularly and I have been working the flaps via the hand pump daily. This of course has led to a few leaks which is to be expected when you waking Sleeping Beauty from a 20 year slumber !
Anyway, some pics of work done :
Batteries plugged in, and lights internally all come on (aside from the two that have been pinched π
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Those cabin lights do give off a decent amount of light…
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Plugged in and ready to go !
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Five quarts of hydraulic oil in.
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Flaps down, before cleaning
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And after
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Observer dome before acrylic polish
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After
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Wow so good I could take a decent pic thru it !
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More in the next post – so please read this and the next one as a single lot π
By: trumper - 8th January 2015 at 09:34
:applause: Wonderful stuff,please keep updating this lovely project π Thankο»Ώ you,here’s to hoping for some ground running in the future π
By: Trak-Tor - 8th January 2015 at 07:41
Wow! Beaufighter in action! Great! π
By: Bellarine - 8th January 2015 at 04:49
Yes the weather has been incredibly humid. You do get an appreciation of how they would have had to deal with these aircraft in the tropics during ww2. Pity the battery ran out of juice during the port cycle but I’m going to do some work in that engine soon and give it a solid work over π
By: Malcolm McKay - 8th January 2015 at 04:35
Fantastic work – especially given the weather here in the last few days. I live just down the road from the airport.
By: ErrolC - 8th January 2015 at 03:47
Great work!
By: Bellarine - 8th January 2015 at 03:11
I had been meaning to upload some more pics, apologies, my computer is in two pieces (literally)
BUT!
It may look like watching paint dry to some, but after many years of inaction, there is life in the old girl. Ash and myself shot a little clip today on my phone. Enjoy and feel free to share.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O436zeaX_Cc&list=UUNgrR7rNTdVWrGtk4fi9mAw
Cheers
By: trumper - 6th January 2015 at 11:51
:applause: Keeping fingers crossed here.Please video it if it happens π
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